Refreshing Alcohol-free Tipples

So with no alcohol being consumed this year - what have I been rehydrating myself with instead? 

Well first of all there is sparkling water and ice. I love this and drink it by the pint. It is so refreshing, especially with dinner.

I sometimes opt for a "posh" sparkling bottle, but I usually go with Tesco's Value sparkling water, which can't go wrong at 17p for a 2 litre bottle. Served straight from the fridge over ice its fantastic. 

I've also been rediscovered a favourite from my childhood days - Ribena. It tastes great, especially with the afore mentioned fizzy water. Its just like a soda and blackcurrant.

Then there is my other favourite, Rose's Lime Juice. Again I have vague memories of this stuff as a kid, and as far as I can remember it hasn't changed a bit. Again mixed with sparkling water and stacks of ice it is about as refreshing as it gets.

I've also been juicing (although not as often as I should), and when I go for the super healthy home-made fresh juice option I go for apples, spinach and lemon, again over ice. Incredibly nutritious and hydrating.

So I've been enjoying these refreshing, hydrating fun and nutritious drinks, cheap and cheerful and with no nasty side-effects the next morning!

Paddy's Day without Beer

It's day 76 of my year without any alcohol. March 17th - St. Patrick's Day.

Paddy's day is associated with the country of Ireland of course, where I spend a wonderful year working back in 2001.

The day is also very much associated with partying and lots of drinking!

Unfortunately, the whole occasion seems to have been hijacked by Guinness, who seem to have adopted the day as a huge marketing opportunity. I expect as the day wears on St. Patrick will be all but forgotten by revellers drinking in the pubs around the world.

As for me, I've been a "quiet man" today and have marked the day by reading about St. Patrick on Wikipedia with a cup of tea!