Author: Contributor to The Sober Curator

Adding different flavor elements to your DryBations is a great way to elevate your garnish game!On this week’s, Just a Merry Mocktail Monday, let’s make some tasty flavored foam! What you will need to make flavored foam: It’s as easy as adding a pinch of Versawhip to a small amount of your liquid and letting the milk frother do its thaaaaang! This lovely way to add dense foam that won’t deflate and adds an additional flavor element. How about a Lemonade with a Lavender Foam?Or a Mint Bevy with a Chocolate Foam!?Let your creativity take flight and tag me and…

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…and the beginning of the never-ending debate on when it is ok to put up your tree. Are you Team Before Thanksgiving or Team After Thanksgiving? I am Team After Thanksgiving. So this weekend I rocked out to Underneath the Tree by Kelly Clarkson and got it done! Oh, and of course, I got a new Holiday Themed Housecoat! TUESDAY TUNES with Lauren Mclaughlin: Welcome to Tuesday Tunes With Sober Curator Lauren McLaughlin, AKA @JoyfullySober, Your New Weekly Sober Dance Party PLAY IT AGAIN: Music can instantly transport you to another state…

Are you a hands-on shopper?Looking for a curated selection of NonAlc beverages? Well, I’m taking you virtual shopping, On This – Just a Merry Mocktail Monday!!! On the Eastside of Los Angeles… in the Indie/Hip part of town, in a city called Silverlake, a beautiful Non-Alcoholic Bottle Shop has opened its doors! Let me introduce you to Soft Spirits! This bottle shop is a great introduction to NonAlc bevies!  Are you looking to try options but don’t want to commit to large quantities from Online Retailers for free shipping?  Or would you like to skip shipping in general? In-person shopping…

We are starting a new weekly segment: drumroll please……Introducing Tuesday Tunes! Let me introduce myself; I’m Lauren, a Sober Curator from the Chicago area (aka the suburbs). I am a person in long-term recovery; I celebrated 15 years in April of 2021. Music has played a massive part in my recovery. I got sober so long ago that iPhone, Spotify, Pandora weren’t even a thing yet! LOL, I had cases of CDs (see picture above). This one is not mine since I left all of my CDs in my drug den apartment that I evacuated when I got sober; maybe I…

Is it getting cold outside? Wanting to heat things up? Grab your crock pot and let’s get to the kitchen! On this, Just A Merry Mocktail Monday, let’s make a Hot Cider!!! What you’ll need: Directions: Cube your fruit and remove all rind and pith from your citrus and combine in your crock pot with spices and 7 cups of water.Cook on low for 8 hoursORCook on high for 4 hoursWith the last 30 minutes to and hour, smoosh your fruit in the crock pot.After carefully straining, add in your maple syrup and ENJOY!! This is a wonderful drink to…

As fall festivities approach, and we attend our Thanksgiving/Friendsgiving feasts, how will we toast with flavorful DryBations? Let’s get inspired with flavors of the season, on this Just a Merry Mocktail Monday! Today, we will focus on one of my favorite fall fruits, pomegranate! The beauty about putting the focus on the pomegranate is there are so many products to incorporate for your non-alcoholic beverages!The Pomegranate is rich in antioxidants and vitamins with a tart and sweet flavor which supports so many amazing recipes! You can get already peeled fruit for garnishes, you can use the juice as a tart…

What are bitters?
What do bitters do?
Are they Non-Alcoholic?
Are they Alcohol-Free?

Inspiration is, quite literally, everywhere! We are going to the Candy Shop, @lolliandpops on this JUST A MERRY MOCKTAIL MONDAY! Don’t have a cotton candy maker at home? NBD, look at all these lovely options!! A variety in so many flavors … the possibilities to create something unique is nearly effortless!! If you’re looking for a simpler Garnish… they also carry gummy candy. Such a lovely treat on a Mocktail Pick. Makin’ a NonAlc Penicillin? Add some candied ginger! It’s a lovely treat for any festivity! Bonus, their packaging makes storage clean with a lovely aesthetic! Lolli and Pop have…

Introducing Farout Drinks from Trish Reynolds and Madison McCleary. These two sober babes from the land down under allow you to experience a good mood straight out of the can. With powerful plant ingredients, you can boost your energy and improve your focus or feel calmer and sleep better with their chill vibes. Check out their Crowdfunding video and see how you can show your support and be first in line to sample this new product line. How Does It Work? These Farout bevies are plant-based and science-backed! Here are some terms to help you get familiar with how they…

I’ve got some sweet little TRICKs for you (that are a real TREAT) on this Just a Merry Mocktail Monday! Wanna turn any DryBation into a spooky elixir!?! Just add a bit of activated charcoal!! Not only does it look WICKED but activated charcoal has some benefits as well! It helps detoxify the body and supports kidney function! Wanna level it up a little!? Add a pinch of edible glitter for a swirly, enchanted potion… How about a little over-the-top garnish!?! Let’s add Cotton Candy and Plastic Spiders!!! Now you have a decadent (and somewhat elaborate) Mocktail! Can we take…

Are you looking to add some creepy Halloween and easy to create garnishes to your alcohol-free beverages? We’ve got you covered!

Halloween meets Mocktail Monday with a #boozefreetiki twist!! Let’s have a little DryBation mixing fun, on this Just a Merry Mocktail Monday!! Let’s make a twist on a classic Piña Colada with a little Spooky drizzle…

I’ve always felt like I was an observant person. Since I decided to quit drinking over three years ago, I’m more aware than I’ve ever been. Not only am I more self-aware, but I also notice the things that are happening around me. Sometimes I have fun with it. Sometimes I over-analyze situations. I see my awareness as a positive attribute, but my husband might beg to differ. I can’t not notice. My family and I recently went to an event where the booze was flowing. I noticed every person who was drinking, what they were drinking, and how much.…

Is festive glassware necessary for a good holiday time? Nooooo… but it sure helps!! 

Throwback to the Sober Pop Mock(tail) recipe that was created by @Tonix.Mocktails in the Spring of 2021. Nik created this clever beverage for the Sober Pop Club TV-themed night, where we discussed our favorite TV series that had addiction as an underlying storyline. We thought Sober October was the perfect time to bring this one back out of our sober archives. Sober Pop Mock of the Week: True Blood Ingredients You’ll Need: Movie Night with The Sober Curator Need some recommendations on what to watch? We’ve got you covered! Because it’s movie night and the feelings right, it’s movie night!…

Ranger Sauce, a wanderer who picked up a guitar and has been on an adventure or two. Interview + New Single “Gambler’s Road”

Mocktail Monday is BACK and complete with a simple yet dramatic garnish that will level up your presentation!

Grace Askew is a sixth-generation Memphian and a highway child. With seven studio albums and nearly a decade of touring under her belt, Askew has established herself as a relentlessly creative artist and a powerhouse of talent. She has become a festival favorite at eclectic live events and gained the attention of brands like Stetson, Wrangler, and Tecovas Boots, all of which have signed her on as a model/spokeswoman. She mostly hits the road accompanied only by her truck, Wanda. Still, she has also supported legends like Hayes Carll, Ray Wylie Hubbard, James McMurtry, Lisa Marie Presley, Marty Stuart, Paul…

“Freeway Rick Ross,” tells a story of a kid who had dreams like any other kid. However, his dreams were stolen by a school system that failed him. Instead of becoming the next great African American tennis player, Ricky’s life would take a totally different turn. 

Leah Martin-Brown is an Australian-born singer/songwriter and guitarist based in Los Angeles, CA but currently in Stockholm, Sweden. Leah started her career at age 13, playing in local pubs and clubs around Gold Coast, Queensland, where she formed her first project- Lilly Rouge. After completing her Bachelor of Popular Music at Griffith University’s Conservatorium of Music, Leah and Lilly Rouge began focusing on their professional music goals. They toured Australia, played the Gold Coast leg of the legendary Big Day Out tour, and supported international acts such as Everclear, Presidents of the United States, and homegrown favorites- The Getaway Plan.…

Here’s a fun Orange Garnish for you on this, Just a Merry Mocktail Monday! As long as you have a Cutting Board, Paring Knife, Y-Peeler, and a Large Orange, you are all set! How to Create This Clever Orange Garnish: Full transparency, I am just getting home from Tiki Oasis 2021 where I was the Presenter of the 90 Minute Mocktails & Garnishes Class and I am very very sleeeepy! Thank you for keeping up with me and thank you for understanding! Stay tuned for more awesome Tiki Oasis content! Until Next Week,To Your Health,Xoxo,-Nik Sober Curator Pro Tip: Curious…

Crushin’ it on this JUST A MERRY MOCKTAIL MONDAY! Have you ever received a drink and immediately think… “Ooooo, they got that Good Ice…” or you’re looking to make a #boozefreetiki alternative to some classic Tiki Cocktails and notice it calls for Crushed Ice?? Maybe you’re like me and the mercy of the Grocery Store for your ice (with the exception of all the glorious ice cube trays…) Well, grabbing a Lewis Bag and a Mallet will make your crushed ice dreams come true as little as ONE, TWO, IT’S HAMMER TIME! There are a few other methods for achieving…

Honey, You’re the bee’s knees… Simple syrups are fun and easy to make. You can have a variety of different flavors and combinations. Switch up the sweetener used to make your syrups and sometimes you may want to use Honey! On this Just a Merry Mocktail Monday, let’s have some fun making a fresh Ginger Honey Syrup!! Using a 1:1:1 ratio combine water, freshly grated organic ginger, and organic honey into a saucepan and turn on low heat. After about 10 to 15 minutes on a super low temp, remove from heat and let the ginger steep with the honey…

As seen on CBS, FOX, and NBC. POP Buchanan is the creative director, and founder of the Sober is Dope podcast company. POP Buchanan is a holistic mindset coach, lyricist, meditation expert, prayer consultant, and nutrition coach. POP’s #1 goal is to help people heal from trauma, toxic lifestyles, and harmful addictions. POP Buchanan is a 41-year-old Creative from Brooklyn, NY. He lost his father when he was 13 years old from a heart attack. POP grew up interested in music, martial arts, esoteric spirituality, poetry, God, and love. He writes poetry and considers himself an idea machine. POP struggled…

Mocktails Out In The Wild!!Let’s chat about going out and having Alcohol Free experiences!! The non-alcoholic industry is booming and that wouldn’t be happening if there was no demand for it. Companies make products people want. And we, people, want nonalcoholic drinks! Of course, making Mocktails at home is fun and creative but sometimes going out for celebratory or social purposes is a blast! Fortunately, there are places like Kindred Spirit and Ocean Beach Café that are designed and dedicated to non-alcoholic experiences! The world is catching on but it will only catch on if we ask them for it!…

Rhubarb Ribbons!!
Let’s play around with some Rhubarb Stalks, on this Just a Merry Mocktail Monday!!

Are you looking to level up on your DIY at-home mocktail making skills? I’ve said before and I will say it again…garnishes will take your Mocktail experience up a notch. You taste with your eyes first….After that, comes smell. Garnishes help in both of these areas. As pretty and intricate as some garnishes may be, sometimes just a little added fruit can make it feel just a little bit more special. Maybe you have a brunch to host? Maybe a friend you haven’t seen in awhile is coming over? There are lots of reasons why you’d want to serve several…

Lately, my husband and I have been having a tough time with our toddler son. He’s very routine-oriented and if something throws that off, a meltdown ensues. He doesn’t like to hear the word “no” (who does), and sometimes he has a hard time with transitions if they’re not his idea. He’s only doing these behaviors at home. His daycare provider whom we love so much said that he “has his moments” but for the most part, he’s fine. This tells me that it’s not anything we need to worry about, but we need to figure out how to get…

On this Just A Merry Mocktail Monday, I’d like to walk you through my at-home zero proof mocktail recipe book library and share some tips on how to ensure your DIY mocktail making game is strong.

TikTok and Recovery Videos are a trend that is here to stay. People have been sharing their stories of recovery, celebrating milestones, and even cheering on others on the path to recovery. Adding hashtags like #sober, #mentalhealthawareness, #soberlife, and #wesobernow, these users have taken to the airwaves of TikTok en mass, and in the process are destigmatizing sobriety.