Non-alcoholic drinks to order at client dinners

Why more people are skipping the wine list

Executives skip alcohol at dinners for many reasons: better sleep before an early meeting, weight goals, medications, pregnancy, recovery, religion or simply preference. The CDC notes that even moderate drinking may carry health risks and that drinking less is better than drinking more, and alcohol is well known to fragment sleep, which is a real cost on a travel week.

You do not need to explain your choice. A confident order is usually all anyone notices.

What non-alcoholic means on a label

Labels matter if you are avoiding alcohol entirely. Under federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau rules for malt beverages, 'non-alcoholic' may be used only for products with less than 0.5 percent alcohol by volume, and the label must say so next to the term. 'Alcohol free' is reserved for products with no alcohol at all.

For most people, under 0.5 percent is negligible, similar to some fermented foods. For people in recovery, who are pregnant or who take medications that interact with alcohol, the difference between non-alcoholic and alcohol-free is worth knowing, and some prefer to avoid alcohol-imitating drinks altogether.

Options to order

• Non-alcoholic beer: widely available from major brewers; looks and tastes like beer at the table
• Dealcoholized wine: wine with alcohol removed; quality varies, so ask the server what they recommend
• Zero-proof cocktails: many restaurants now have a dedicated section; ask for something not too sweet
• Sparkling water with lime, a splash of juice or a few dashes of bitters; note that most bitters contain alcohol, in very small amounts per drink
• Tonic or soda water with citrus in a highball glass
• Iced or hot tea, including unsweetened options
• Shrubs and craft sodas, if the menu has them
• Coffee or espresso after the meal, mindful of how caffeine affects your sleep

Caffeine at a late dinner

An after-dinner espresso is a natural non-alcoholic choice, but timing matters. FDA notes that caffeine can cause insomnia and jitteriness, and sensitivity varies widely. If you have an early start or are already short on sleep from travel, decaf or herbal tea may serve you better.

Watch the sugar

Some mocktails and sodas contain as much sugar as dessert. If weight or blood sugar is a goal, ask for less syrup, choose drinks built on soda water and citrus, or alternate with plain sparkling water. Kombucha can be a good choice for some people, but note that it may contain small amounts of alcohol.

Handling the moment

• Order first, confidently, so the table follows your lead
• Ask the server for their best non-alcoholic option, which signals interest rather than abstinence
• Keep a glass in hand during toasts; sparkling water works fine
• If asked, a short answer such as 'early start tomorrow' is plenty
• If you host, make sure the venue has good non-alcoholic options for guests too

Planning ahead for the evening

A little preparation makes the choice easier. If you are choosing the restaurant, look at the drinks menu online for non-alcoholic options. If someone else is hosting, arrive a few minutes early and order your drink before the table settles in. On travel weeks, decide your plan for the evening before you leave the hotel, when you are not tired or under social pressure.

If you do choose to drink, alternating each alcoholic drink with water or a non-alcoholic option and stopping well before bedtime protects your sleep and the next morning's meetings.

Hosting with everyone in mind

When you host, offering appealing non-alcoholic choices signals thoughtfulness. Guests may be pregnant, on medications, in recovery, observing religious practices or simply preferring not to drink. Ask the venue in advance what they offer, and make sure the toast does not single anyone out for what is in their glass.

If alcohol is a struggle

If cutting back feels harder than you expect, or work culture makes it difficult, you are not alone. A clinician can talk through options confidentially, including strategies, support and, in some cases, medications. Mixing alcohol with certain prescriptions, including some sleep, anxiety and pain medicines, can be dangerous, so check if you are unsure.