Author: Alysse Bryson

We curated 12 fun and unique advent calendar for this years holiday season.

Meet Spiritless Kentucky 74, a first-of-its-kind, non-alcoholic distilled spirit for your favorite bourbon zero-proof cocktails. Underpinned by the familiar, whiskey-warmed notes of caramel, vanilla, and oak, Spiritless Kentucky 74 allows consumers to enjoy the familiar comforts of a barrel-aged spirit without the intoxicating effects or the accompanying ethanol burn. And guess what? The Sober Curator got an early taste test, and we’re here for it! This new brand may have been founded in 2019, but its efforts started long before that. Three entrepreneurs and entertainers, Lauren, Abbey, and Lexie, who love Bourbon Country, created Spiritless because they believe that less…

More often than not, addiction is an underlying current in the storyline of many movies and TV shows. Have you ever noticed? Not a person in recovery from addiction? Then, you may not appreciate the level of detail that goes into the acting that the addicted character plays. This action thriller featuring Jessica Chastain, lead actress in the new movie AVA on Amazon Prime, nails her performance as a woman afflicted with PTSD and addiction. John Malkovich plays Duke, Ava’s handler and father figure who helps her get sober. From watching the trailer, we know that Ava is a deadly…

In the world of Quit-Lit book reviews, Beachglass by Wendy Blackburn shines as a vivid and poignant narrative chronicling the arduous journey of a woman facing life’s battles. This novel holds a special place in my heart, as it was the very first book I immersed myself in during the early days of my sobriety back in 2006. Offering a raw glimpse into the inner workings of AA meetings and the ongoing struggle to attain and preserve sobriety, Beachglass captivates with its gritty portrayal of resilience. When I’m not juggling various responsibilities, you’ll often find me engrossed in a tangible…

I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect when my sampler box of Recess, a new sparkling-water beverage infused with hemp extract and adaptogens, arrived at my humble abode. That said, I am a sucker for great branding and packaging. The Recess brand has that part nailed down with a modern whimsy vibe. Honestly, I felt calmer just perusing their website with fluffy clouds, clever slogans, and an OPI-inspired pastel color palette. Are you ready to take a recess from the craziness that is 2020? Yeah, me too! The mission of Recess is to help people feel calm, focused, and creative…

Are you ready to get your DIY crafting on? It’s hard to believe it’s almost the holidays. While I’m 100% ready for this year to be over, it’s also been very easy to lose track of time. My 23-year-old has spent his time in the Xbox world playing with friends, new and old, from all over the world. As for me, I’ve tried all kinds of ways to pass the time. Starting this website was one, but there have also been crafts… so many crafts. There is a little bit of a stereotype that sober people all knit, something you…

On a Thursday afternoon this past summer I got my fangirl moment with Lisa Smith, author of Girl Walks Out of Bar. Sitting at my parent’s dining room table in my childhood home, I eagerly waited for Lisa’s zoom box to show she had logged into the call. Armed with questions, I couldn’t believe I would be connecting with her in the middle of a global pandemic. I have read and re-read her memoir many, many times. Lisa’s book resonated with me on so many levels. Many high functioning, successful people hide their addictions to alcohol and drugs. I know…

Alysse B. is here to give you tips and tricks on how to have a spooky and sober Halloween. You’ll still have fun, you can still eat candy and let loose, you’re just going to do it all alcohol-free. Plus, you’ll also be adhering to all of the social distancing rules in place, because we know you want to keep your friends, your family, and even complete strangers safe from Covid-19. 1. Have a sober virtual party with your sober peeps, Hallow-zoom! Yes, I know you probably have Zoom fatigue by now and you’re tired of living inside of the…

Looking to go on a booze-free bender this Sober October? Lyre’s non-alcoholic spirits offer everything you need for a fully stocked zero-proof bar. Founded in Australia in March 2019 and introduced to the States in November 2019, Lyre’s brings you 12 alcohol-free spirits that capture the essence and beauty of time-tested drinks. Why Lyre’s? Similar to our goal here at The Sober Curator, Lyre’s wants to change the way the world drinks and give the freedom of choice. If you’ve chosen a sober lifestyle permanently or you just like to go dry for a few months out of the year,…

Breaking news! Dax Shepard is seven days sober. This was the main headline on social media on September 25th, 2020. When I heard this news, it broke my heart a little. I hurt for him and his family. I fear it could easily happen to me, too. A Shocking Revelation Friday afternoon, I was enjoying my weekly Zoom “happy hour” with what I refer to as my OGs. This wildly creative group holds a special spot in my heart. We all worked together back in my magazine days. The group is made up of people who worked at the magazine,…

TOST is an alcohol-free, effervescent beverage made of white tea, cranberry, and ginger. I’m not going to bury the lead here. You’re going to love the taste. I think it’s delicious. Bubbles are for everyone! This drink has no problem standing on its own. And stand it does! The packaging on this drink is just as good as the taste itself. The bottle looks elegant, and its logo has a clean, effortless design. You will carry this bottle with pride coming into the holiday season. It’s the perfect alcohol-free option for any gathering that might end up on your calendar.…

Sober is the New Cool is an organization based in Canada with a unique story. In 2013, Kim Bellas 15 -year-old son started having seizures. Like most teenagers, he enjoyed going to parties and socializing. A significant aspect of these parties was the consumption of alcohol, and her son was unable to drink due to his seizures. (and we are guessing because he was also under the legal drinking age limit) Kim reassured her son that alcohol wasn’t necessary to have a good time. It dawned on her how hypocritical she was being as she found herself frequently drinking wine.…

Welcome to Happy Every Hour by The Sober Curator At The Sober Curator, we think alcohol-free beverages that are fun, festive, and zero proof and should be for everyone and that’s where Dry Botanical Bubbly comes in. We are so excited to start bringing you reviews and recipes of what we are drinking right now. Our Sober Curators are working behind the scenes taste testing, sampling, and mixing to our heart’s desires. Just because we don’t drink (cocktails) anymore, doesn’t mean we don’t want to settle in at the end of a long day with a tasty liquid treat as…

The Sober Curator was recently featured on a local TV station in Seattle. Being featured on KING 5’s local show Evening (formerly known as Evening magazine) was a dream come true. This show has been around for over 30 years and I grew up watching it from my hometown Centralia, WA. You can take the girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the girl. Earlier this summer, amidst the global pandemic, “Home” was exactly where I went to build out the plan for The Sober Curator. My parents secretly love it when I show…

Clean Cause Celebrates National Recovery Month It’s National Recovery month and that is a month to celebrate your sober self! Clean Cause donates 50% of profits to support individuals in recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. Plus, this month to celebrate, they have some pretty great offers. Curator Pro Tip: Want to learn about more things happening for National Recovery Month? You can check them out here. Sober Swag alert! Buy 1 or more cases of CLEAN, receive free car window decal! Buy 2 or more cases of CLEAN, receive free T-Shirt or tank top. You guys! This stuff tastes…

Do you want to have the perfect sober day in Seattle? Let’s pretend you’re visiting me from out of town. I’m going to treat you to my curated sober itinerary of places I love in the Emerald City. This is just one example of how I might spend the perfect day alcohol-free, entertaining a friend from out of town. There will be many more sober days in Seattle soon! First stop – food! We’ll have a busy day, so we better get fueled and ready to go. The good news is we’re sober, so we are starting off the day…

Giving up alcohol. The day was May 1st, 2006. I was coming off of a weekend bender with alcohol where I attempted to control my drinking. My last drink was consumed on April 30th. As I write this blog post today, April 30th, 2020, I have not had a drink in 14 years. That’s 5,113 days without a drink. Yes. I still count my days. A few weeks before, I had visited Residence XII in Kirkland, WA, an all-female alcohol & drug addiction treatment facility, for a complete evaluation. This was my third evaluation in one month, over the March/April timeframe, with…

Here’s to Zero-Proof Partying! We taste-tested the DRY Watermelon Botanical Bubbly Firecracker recipe and it was happiness in a glass. Literally! If you love watermelon with a hint of spice, then you’ll want to add this alcohol-free bevy to your next Happy Every Hour. Here’s to friends with convertibles! That’s what you’ll find on the packaging of the DRY Watermelon Botanical Bubbly. Their claim? Four ingrédients plus a dash of je ne sais quoi. FIRECRACKER RECIPE CARD: DIRECTIONS: In a shaker, mix lime juice, sugar cube, and jalapeno. Let the cube dissolve, add ice, and shake until cold. Rim a…

Here’s to Zero-Proof Partying! We taste-tested DRY Blood Orange Botanical Bubbly and our lips fell in love at first taste. If you love a good alcohol-free Paloma, then you’ll want to add this zero-proof bevie to your next Happy Every Hour. Here’s to fancy pizza night! That’s what you’ll find on the packaging of the DRY Blood Orange Botanical Bubbly. Their claim? Four ingredients plus magic. DRY PALOMA RECIPE CARD: DIRECTIONS: Combine lime juice and grapefruit juice in a shaker with ice. Shake until cold. Pour into a tall glass rimmed with salt and top with DRY Blood Orange Botanical…

Here’s to Zero-Proof Partying! We taste-tested DRY Pineapple Botanical Bubbly Zero-Proof Chili Lime-Aid recipe. If you are looking to spice up your mocktail life, then you’ll want to add this alcohol-free bevie to your next Happy Every Hour. Four ingredients plus the optimism! That’s what you’ll find on the packaging on DRY Pineapple Botanical Bubbly. We’ll drink to that! The Sober Curator’s glass is always half full and alcohol-free. Why? Because drunk never looks good! DRY PINEAPPLE CHILI LIME-AID RECIPE CARD: DIRECTIONS: Run a slice of lime around the edge of a glass and dip the glass into the salt,…

Here’s to Zero-Proof Partying! We taste-tested DRY Ginger Botanical Bubbly Zero-Proof Ginger Mule recipe and it did not disappoint. If ginger is what you crave, then you’ll want to add this alcohol-free bevie to your next Happy Every Hour. Four ingredients plus the X Factor! That’s what you’ll find on the packaging on DRY Ginger Botanical Bubbly. We’ll drink to that! Our glass is always half full at Happy Every Hour. There’s just no booze in it. GINGER MULE RECIPE CARD: DIRECTIONS: In a shaker tin or pint glass, lightly muddle mint leaves and lime juice. Top with crushed ice…

Here’s to Zero-Proof Partying! We taste-tested DRY Vanilla Botanical Bubbly Zero-Proof Blushing Bee’s Knees recipe. If you love a vanilla, honey, berry hybrid, you’ll want to add this alcohol-free bevie to your next Happy Every Hour.  Here’s to the corner piece of cake! That’s what you’ll find on the packaging of the DRY Vanilla Botanical Bubbly. Sober people love cake. That’s just a fact. This beverage has four ingredients plus your good name. We’ll drink to that because drunk never looks good. BLUSHING BEE’S KNEES RECIPE CARD: DIRECTIONS: In a shaker, mix lemon juice, raspberries, honey, and water. Shake until…

Here’s to Zero-Proof Partying! We taste-tested DRY Cool as a Cucumber recipe and decided we should probably pause the alcohol-free tasting tour and go get manis and pedi’s. That’s how delightful it tastes! If you love spa water as much as I do, then you’ll want to add this alcohol-free bevie to your next Happy Every Hour. Or maybe just drink it every hour? You’ll still be well below the legal drinking limit. Here’s to glamping! That’s what you’ll find on the packaging of the DRY Cucumber Botanical Bubbly. Their claim? Four ingredients plus one serving of good karma. Social distance…

Here’s to Zero-Proof Partying! We taste-tested the DRY Lavender Bloom recipe and true blue baby I love you! If you love blueberries with a hint of lemon, then you’ll want to add this alcohol-free bevie to your next Happy Every Hour. Here’s to your haircut! That’s what you’ll find on the packaging of the DRY Lavender Botanical Bubbly. Their claim? Four ingredients plus good manners. LAVENDER BLOOM RECIPE CARD: DIRECTIONS: Drop a few fresh blueberries in the bottom of a glass and fill 1/2 with lemonade. Fill the remaining 1/2 of the glass with DRY Lavender Botanical Bubbly and garnish…

Here’s to Zero-Proof Partying! We taste-tested DRY Cranberry Botanical Bubbly Zero-Proof Bay Breeze recipe. Pardon the pun, but making this recipe was a breeze. If you love a cran-pineapple hybrid, then you’ll want to add this alcohol-free bevie to your next Happy Every Hour. Here’s to friends with convertibles! That’s what you’ll find on the packaging of the DRY Cranberry Botanical Bubbly. Their claim? Four ingredients plus optimism. We’ll drink to that! Our glass is always half full at Happy Every Hour. There’s just no booze in it. ZERO-PROOF BAY BREEZE RECIPE CARD: DIRECTIONS: In a shaker mix pineapple juice,…

Ice, ice baby What I love about this commercial is that it showcases that craft ice is for everyone. Just because I don’t consume alcohol doesn’t mean I don’t still enjoy an icy beverage on a hot day. Who am I kidding? I’m in my mid-40s, and that means I want an icy beverage regardless of what the forecast is outside. I drink cold-brewed, iced coffee year-round. I contemplated moving when the fancy, shared ice machine in my apartment community broke down last fall. This is how seriously and frequently I think about ice. LG “Be a Baller” commercial Bravo!…

At some point in my recovery, I stopped obsessing about “girl gets the guy” aspirations and changed to “girl gets dry” goals. It was the best decision I ever made. Changing my focus from the external and coming to grips with what needed to change on the inside is really when the rubber hit the road in my recovery. Movie of the week: Smashed Smashed is a perfectly heartbreaking reflection of what that storyline looks like “in real life” and a heartwarming example of the beauty and authenticity of relationships formed inside 12-step meetings—not sold yet? One of the main…

Rupaul Teaches Self-Expression and Authenticity course on MasterClass Did you know for as little as $15 a month (*billed annually), you can access a huge content library on MasterClass of thousands of lessons from the best in the biz as they share their stories, skills, shortcuts, failures, and successes. If you drank as I did, then you know you could spend that amount on a drink that lasted less than 15 minutes. 2020 has been serving up lemons all year and this global pandemic has given us all more time back into our days. Why not use that time to better yourself…

Back in the day… When I was around six months sober (back in 2006), I vividly remember the first time I walked into a recovery gift shop in Ballard. This quaint shop was located in a hipster suburb of Seattle, Washington known for its Norwegian roots. All these years later, I can almost still smell the intense whiff of patchouli that greeted me as I opened the front door. The shop was located in a house built in the 1950s. This home turned retail destination was located on a hill in the middle of a neighborhood. It was blocks away…

This week in Recovery Podcastland This week, our podcast playlist has been tuned into three recovery podcasts: A Sober Girls Guide, Recovery Rocks, and Recovery Survey. One of my weird obsessions in 2020 has been trying to cram as much recovery content into my schedule as possible. And trust me when I tell you I already consume a lot of content. Whether consuming content professionally or recreationally, I have found lots of different pockets of time to sneak in a few podcasts and audiobooks. I find time to do this when I’m folding laundry, driving, walking my two dogs, Roxie…