Latest news with #alcoholfree
Globe and Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Arkay Beverages Launches Its Times Square Billboard, Showcasing Zero-Proof Innovation Worldwide
Arkay Beverages, the pioneer of alcohol-free spirits, has unveiled its Times Square billboard to competitors, inviting zero-proof brands from around the world to join forces in promoting a smarter, healthier way to drink. Miami, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - July 30, 2025) - In the latest record, Arkay Beverages announces the launch of its Times Square Billboard to showcase zero-proof innovation on the world's biggest stage. Located in the heart of Times Square, Arkay's massive digital billboard rotates every two minutes and is viewed by over 300,000 people daily. This initiative offers zero-proof beverage companies the opportunity to feature their products alongside Arkay's own in one of the most iconic advertising spaces on the planet. "At Arkay, our mission has always been to revolutionize the drinking experience," said Reynald Vito Grattagliano, Founder of Arkay Beverages. "This isn't about competition - it's about collaboration. The more brands we showcase, the more consumers understand that zero-proof is not just a trend - it's the future." Moreover, Arkay's mission is to redefine what it means to enjoy a drink. With its patented formula and alcohol-free molecular structure, Arkay has helped millions of consumers around the world experience the pleasures of social drinking without compromising their sobriety, health, or values. "We are on a mission to help people stay sober - to become better individuals, better fathers, and better human beings," added Grattagliano. "Arkay is about more than what's in the glass. It's about giving people the freedom to enjoy life without compromising their health, values, or relationships." The offer is open to alcohol-free spirits, functional beverages, and any brand that promotes conscious, responsible drinking. Interested companies are invited to contact Arkay directly to book a featured time slot and receive advertising specifications. This initiative reflects Arkay's commitment to leading the global conversation on mindful consumption, inclusivity, and innovation in the beverage industry. About Arkay Beverages: Founded in 2011, Arkay Beverages is the world's first company to create alcohol-free spirits that look, feel, and taste like the real thing. With over a decade of innovation and presence in 35+ countries, Arkay continues to lead the zero-proof revolution with its extensive portfolio of alternatives to whisky, vodka, gin, rum, and more.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Millie Mackintosh reveals how her pet dog Luna has aided her sobriety after spending years battling alcohol issues
opens up about her dog helps keep her sober after she spent years battling alcohol issues. The former Made In Chelsea star, 35, has spoken openly about her issues with alcohol before going sober in 2022, and has since released a book about her struggles, entitled Bad Drunk. And now in an interview with the Sunday Times, she has explained how owning her pug, Luna, as given her an additional focus. She said: 'When you have a dog you're not waking up with a hangover, you're waking up and going for a walk along the river or meeting up with other dog owners. 'Having Luna helps me talk to people; I can be quite socially awkward. And I find when you've got a dog and another person's got a dog, you just have something to talk about.' Millie, who is married to former Made In Chelsea co-star Hugo Taylor and is a mother to two daughters, admitted she 'barely recognises the person she used to be' as she shared a 'drunken' throwback snap in a candid Instagram post. She went sober more than two years ago following the realisation that she had become an 'angry' drunk. As an MIC original, Millie's early scenes on the show often revolved around partying and drinking leading to flare-ups with fellow cast members which she has since claimed got in the way of her relationships. Continuing to raise awareness of sobriety and how much her life has changed for the good since going alcohol free, Millie wrote: 'Now vs. Then. 'Looking back ten years, I barely recognise the person I used to be—drinking heavily, always hungover, and completely lost. 'I was stuck in a cycle of self-medicating, not realising that the change I so badly needed was waiting for me on the other side of discomfort. 'Choosing an alcohol-free life has been the best decision I've ever made. It's the ultimate life hack—realising that I have the power to say no. 'Not because I have to, but because I get to. Sobriety isn't a sacrifice; it's a privilege, a gift I've given to myself, and one I'll never take for granted. 'The journey from bad drunk to alcohol-free has been the most transformative thing I've ever done. And hearing from so many of you who are on this path too means so much. She told the publication: When you have a dog you're not waking up with a hangover, you're waking up and going for a walk along the river or meeting up with other dog owners 'Your messages about my book and your own experiences remind me why this conversation is so important. 'If you're navigating this too, know that you're not alone—we're in this together. How are you feeling about your own journey right now? Let's chat. ✨' Millie decided to go and see a sober coach, who helped her and has now steered clear of booze for more than two years.
Wall Street Journal
4 days ago
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
You're Cordially Invited to Our Dry Wedding. Hope You Have Fun?
Gracie Giambrone is finalizing details for her October wedding. One thing she's known since the start: The party won't have any booze. 'If it's a day about us, it makes no sense to get alcohol,' said Giambrone, a 35-year-old marketing professional in Tampa, Fla.
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Lifestyle
- The Guardian
The best no- and low-alcohol wines for when you're off the booze (yes, good ones do exist)
Are you a zebra-striper, alternating your alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic versions to moderate your intake? Or are you booze-free? As curbing drinking becomes more popular, it's clear that this moment of sober curiosity is moving beyond Dry January and into the everyday. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. Luckily, the drinks industry is scratching our sobriety itch with a bevy of good alcohol-free products. If you're ready to wet your whistle with something delicious that won't have you stumbling into the next day with a sore head, read on to discover the best no- and low-alcohol whites, reds and rosés from my taste testing, perfect for any time, any place. Moderato Colombard Cuvée Révolutionnaire, 0.5% £12.99 at Wise Bartender£14 at Majestic (£12 as part of Mix Six package) Born from French winemaking heritage, this alcohol-free white is one of the few that could truly be mistaken for the real thing. The Colombard grape is typically high in acidity, with fresh floral aromas and notes of lemon, grapefruit and peach, and its flavours stay on the tongue well after the last sip. Moderato's founders, Sébastien Layé and Fabien Dessens, are pioneers in the alcohol-free wine movement in France, establishing Le Chai Sobre, (The Sober Cellar), the country's leading production centre for alcohol-free wine. Thomson & Scott Noughty Non-Alcoholic Blanc, <0.5% £10.50 at Ocado £10.95 at Abel & Cole Noughty is a premium, organic, non-alcoholic wine brand that has raised the bar for what alcohol-free wine can achieve. For about £10, its white, with less than 0.5% ABV (about as much as a ripe banana), is great value for money. Made from chardonnay and chenin blanc in South Africa, this is a fresh, crisp wine with an authentic wine-like texture. It's dry, too, so it won't be mistaken for fruit juice, unlike some other alcohol-free offerings. Bolle Chardonnay, <0.5% £15.99 at Bolle Drinks£15.99 at Amazon Bolle has already taken the non-alcoholic sparkling wine world by storm, and booze-free imbibers love it for its fine bubbles and authentic taste and texture. This is the first non-alcoholic still wine in its range: made mainly from the chardonnay grape, with a bit of the Germanic variety Silvaner added in. It's crafted as a wine and then de-alcoholised. No sugar, flavours or aromas are added, so you get real chardonnay notes of apricot, lemon and apple, alongside a silky mouthfeel and bright acidity. The traditional chardonnay bottle looks the part, too. Very smart. Brown Brothers Moscato Zero 2023, 0.5% £9.95 at the Fine Wine Company£9.75 at Bakers & Larners Based in Milawa, Victoria, Brown Brothers is one of Australia's leading family-owned wine companies. Its Moscato Zero is a 'vintage' bottle, with all the grapes from one year, and is on the sweet side with a gentle spritz. The muscat grape, which makes moscato wines, is one of the only varieties that still tastes 'grapey' once it's made into a wine – making it the perfect accompaniment to dessert or a cheeseboard. Torres Natureo, 0.0% £6.20 at Ocado When one of the biggest wineries in the world gets on board with alcohol-free wine, it's definitely worth a look. As with Brown Brothers, Torres has chosen muscat grapes for its white Natureo, delivering a semi-dry wine. From the Penedès region of Spain, Catalonia's famed wine-growing area, all of the grapes are from a single year. This floral wine is fresh and smooth on the palate, with notes of golden apple, pear and orange blossom, which pair beautifully with a seafood paella. Schloss Wachenheim AG 'Eisberg Selection' Pinot Grigio, 0.0% £8 at Majestic (£7 as part of Mix Six package)£8.99 at Wise Bartender Pinot Grigio is one of the most popular white wines in the UK. Established in the Pfalz region of Germany more than 100 years ago, this winery considers itself a boundary-pusher in regular winemaking – and now a global pioneer in alcohol-free wines, too. This de-alcoholised pinot grigio is actually more expressive than many alcoholic versions, with notes of lemon, lime and juicy white peach. It has a subtle spritz, but is dry and zesty, too. Wednesday's Domaine Elan, 0.0% £14.99 at Wise Bartender This bottle looks the part, and the pale pink wine has summery aromas of watermelon and strawberries. On the dry side, it has mouthwatering acidity, lots of juicy berry fruit flavours, and even a slight creaminess to the texture. This rosé from Wednesday's Domaine has got to be one of the most convincing still pinks out there. It's simply delicious. Thomson & Scott Noughty Non-Alcoholic Rosé, 0.5% £9.99 at Waitrose £10.80 at Friarwood Made in South Africa from two of the country's signature grapes, chenin blanc and pinotage, this is an elegant, dry, salmon-hued rosé with less than 0.5% alcohol. It's clean and crisp on the palate, which may be because it has almost half the amount of sugar found in most other non-alcoholic wines. Subtle summer berry and citrus flavours give it a more grown-up taste than other alcohol-free offerings out there. Take it to a dinner party to impress. M&S Alcohol Free Rosé, 0.0% £4 at OcadoIn-store at M&S People often complain that alcohol-free wines are too expensive, but that can't be said for M&S's 0.0% rosé at £4. It might not have the provenance of pricier bottles that are made from hand-picked organic grapes in a well-established family-run vineyard, but if you're after something cheap and cheerful, it hits the right notes. Strawberry-pink in colour, it's bursting with flavours of ripened berries and juicy stone fruits. Its sweeter finish may not be great paired with your gourmet tasting menu, but for drinks in the garden, bring it on. Torres Viña Sol Rosé, 0.0% £5 at Waitrose £7.50 at Morrisons Another from Torres, this time to stand in for one of the most popular rosé wines on shop shelves: the Viña Sol Rosé. It looks the same, and although it doesn't taste exactly the same – being quite a bit sweeter – it's not a bad substitute. You still get the freshness, the summer fruit flavours and the dry edge, to assure you that it isn't fruit juice. One for a party where you want to blend in – just be careful not to get the bottles mixed up. Tread Softly Everything Except Pinot Noir, <0.5% £8 at Waitrose Cellar Having had huge success with its 9% ABV rosé, Tread Softly has now launched its Everything Except zero-alcohol range. The pinot noir in this is the runaway favourite with bags of bright berry fruit flavour, fresh acidity and soft tannins, which provide a distinct wine-like texture. Tread Softly uses a high-vacuum, low-pressure and lower-energy distillation method that it claims is a gentle way of removing the alcohol while trying to retain the full flavour of the grapes. Oddbird Domaine De La Prade Merlot, <0.5% £10 at Drinkmonger£10.06 at Amazon Founded by a former family therapist and social worker, Oddbird is passionate about alcohol-free living. The bottles are smart and the liquid inside is made from high-quality grapes from renowned vineyards. The alcohol has been removed without adding artificial flavours, colours or other substances along the way. This merlot is modern and youthful with fruity blackberry and plum notes. It has 12 months of maturation, however, which gives it more depth and complexity than other contenders in this category. Zeno Red, ~0.5% £7.68 at Waitrose£10.99 at Wise Bartender This red seems to have impressed the upper echelons of the wine trade as it regularly comes out top for recommendations. The reason is its impression of complexity: bright, juicy berry fruit aromas layer with spice and savouriness beneath, all wrapped up in a silky mouthfeel with a hint of tannic grip. The grapes are tempranillo and cabernet sauvignon, and since it's Spanish-made enjoy it with chorizo and charred padrón peppers. Moderato Merlot-Tannat Cuvée Révolutionnaire, 0.5% £12.99 at Wise Bartender £14 at Majestic (£12 as part of Mix Six package) The colour is a pleasingly deep shade of ruby thanks to the tannat grape, with its thick, dark skin, while the hint of oak and dried herbs on the nose transports me straight to Gascony, where it's made. Taste-wise, it's dry with some concentration of fruit, a tickle of spice and gentle tannins. For a medium-bodied wine, this is nearly there. With a Toulouse sausage casserole and a dash of sober joie de vivre, you could have a merry time with this. Thomson & Scott Noughty Rouge, <0.5% £10.50 at Waitrose £10.50 at Ocado Light regular wines aren't of a lesser quality than heavy, and the same applies to non-alcoholic wines. The Noughty Rouge reminds me of a good bistro wine: it's one to have with a casual lunch, around a table with friends. That being said, it's far from juvenile, with an accomplished balance of ripe fruit, fresh acidity and soft French oak tannins. Brown Brothers Cienna Zero, 0.5% £9.18 at Strictly Wine£9.95 at Harris & Co It's sweet and a bit fizzy – so if that's your thing, read on. Made from cienna grapes grown in the hot and arid Murray valley of north-west Victoria, this is a summertime fruit bomb kind of red that would be perfect for a July barbecue. The acidity keeps it nice and fresh, balancing out the sweet, ripe fruit. Stick it in the fridge, throw another shrimp on the barbie, and turn up the tunes. Wild Idol Alcohol Free Sparkling White, 0.0% £24.30 at Fenwick£30 at Ocado The Germanic grape variety müller-thurgau is used to make the Wild Idol white, which naturally produces floral aromatics and a sweet green apple flavour, with a crisp acidity. These characteristics are what you want in a sparkling wine, too, and Wild Idol says it's able to preserve them because the juice is minimally handled and never fermented to produce alcohol. I don't know how, then, it manages to taste 'winey' but it does – and many top dining spots, such as Nobu and Jason Atherton restaurants, are choosing to pair it with their dishes. Bolle Blanc de Blancs, 0.5% £19.99 at Drink Supermarket£24.99 at Amazon Bolle goes through a secondary fermentation like champagne and prosecco, in order to capture the authentic character of real, high-quality sparkling wine. The effect is an elegant, fine-bubbled fizz with layers of flavour, from vibrant citrus notes to something more honeyed and toasty. Having scooped up a bevy of awards, it seems to be the one on everyone's lips at the moment. Domaine de L'Arjolle Zero, 0.0% £13.45 at Wine at Home With their rich wine culture, French drinkers might be more resistant to non-alcoholic wines. However, Domaine de l'Arjolle, which makes the Zéro Sparkling Equilibre, is gaining a following in France for its alcohol-free offerings. This 0% bubbly expresses its grape varieties, sauvignon blanc and viognier, well with zesty and floral aromatics, and zingy citrus and stone fruit flavours. Clean and crisp, those tiny bubbles hit the roof of your mouth in exactly the way you'd expect from a fine French fizz. Thomson & Scott Noughty Dealcoholized Sparkling Chardonnay, 0.0% £9.50 at Sainsbury's£10 at Waitrose Cellar A common complaint about alcohol-free sparkling wine is that it's too sweet. Well, this one definitely is not. If you like your wine dry, with zesty citrus characteristics and some granny smith apple crunch, then this could be the one for you. Noughty is a reliable zero-alcohol brand that ticks all the right boxes: it's organic, vegan, gluten-free, low-sugar, low-calorie and low-sulphite. Great value for about a tenner. La Gioiosa Sparkling Alcohol Free, 0.0% £4.50 at Morrisons£6.75 at Ocado Prosecco is known for being one of life's simple pleasures: it's fruity, refreshing and uncomplicated. The same goes for La Gioiosa's affordable alcohol-free version. It's made in the land of prosecco, Treviso, from the juice of the same glera grapes, and then carbonated. It doesn't taste exactly like an extra brut prosecco – it's a bit sweeter – but you'll still find those bright notes of pear, apple, peach and white blossom in the glass, and the pop is just like the real thing. Oddbird Alcohol-Free Sparkling Rosé, 0.5% £10.99 at Laithwaites £9.49 at Amazon A good wine is about balance. If there's sweetness, it should be balanced with acidity so that it isn't cloying. This sparkling rosé is a great example. The syrah grape, grown in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France, brings juicy summer berry flavours, which are lifted by mouth-puckering citrus notes and a poised, dry edge. Fine bubbles help to create a creamy texture, which is brightened by a clean, fresh finish. French Bloom Le Rosé, 0.0% £35 at Fortnum & Mason If you're a champagne fan on a champagne budget, this is your booze-free bubbly. If you're specifically a Taittinger fan, then this will seal the deal. The Frerejean-Taittinger family is behind French Bloom, a premium alcohol-free wine brand, making de-alcoholised sparkling wines with organic chardonnay and pinot noir grapes. For me, the rosé version has the edge over the white because it's a little drier and has a touch more complexity – perhaps due to the addition of pinot noir. Either way, the tiny bubbles effortlessly imitate the elegance of champagne, and it's all wrapped up in very pretty packaging. Wild Life Botanicals Blush, 0.5% £13.49 at The Alcohol Free Co£16 at Wild Life Botanicals The difference with Wild Life is that it's not trying to be a wine. Even though it is a de-alcoholised wine, the focus is on its mix of botanicals that almost makes it a celebratory health drink. Among its 'famous five' is lemon balm, which is good for digestive health, damask rose, which can soothe inflammation, and damiana, a mood-lifting aphrodisiac. Putting the plant power to one side, the blush is a frivolously delicious tipple that tastes of rhubarb, wild strawberries and crab apples. Kylie Minogue Alcohol Free Sparkling Rosé, 0.0% £6 at Morrisons£6.50 at Amazon Kylie's wine empire is growing by the year, with her brand seeming to have struck a nimble balance between inviting, affordable, aspirational and inclusive. Her alcohol-free sparkling rosé brings another crowd of fans on board and, as long as they're not expecting Laurent-Perrier levels of fizzy pink stuff, there's a lot to like. It's sweet without being overly sugary and vibrant without being brash. A little like Kylie herself. LA Brewery Sparkling English Blush Kombucha, 0.0% £10 at Ocado £13 at LA Brewery If the alcohol-free sparkling wines haven't quite hit the heights you'd hoped for, perhaps sparkling kombucha will get you there. People love the tang and texture of kombucha, which encourages sipping rather than gulping, as you might do with a can of soda. LA Brewery's sparkling kombuchas are made in a B Corp-certified microbrewery in Suffolk, and are infused with blends of fruits, flowers and botanicals to enhance aromatics, mouthfeel and depth of flavour. Expect aromas of sharp rhubarb and heady elderflower to greet you when you pop the cork. Real Peony Blush Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Tea, 0.0% £11.50 at Waitrose£11.50 at Ocado These sparkling teas are crowd-pleasers. Made with White Peony tea, this particular blush is light and floral, with natural summer berry flavours that don't leave your mouth feeling like you've just sucked a fruit pastille. If you want to see how they're made, you can visit Real's Fermentery at the Waddesdon Estate in Buckinghamshire. Copenhagen Organic Sparkling Tea BLÅ, 0.0% £18.45 at Fenwick£18.50 at Fortnum & Mason The lovely thing about sparkling teas is that you get a complexity of flavours and aromatics coming naturally from the tea blend. Blå is made with 13 jasmine, white and darjeeling blends, which all bring their nuanced characteristics to the glass. Tea also contains tannins, so a wine-like structure is already in place, helping it to pair with a multitude of foods. This sparkling tea has been developed by Copenhagen-based, award-winning sommelier Jacob Kocemba. Alcohol is removed using different methods, such as spinning cone technology or vacuum evaporation, or in some cases, alcohol might not have been created in the wine at all. All have their pros and cons, affecting the taste and texture of the drinks, as well as their impact on the environment. High-vacuum, low-pressure distillation is considered the gentler method, as it allows for the separation of compounds at lower temperatures. This is more eco-friendly, plus it preserves the aromas and flavours better because heat is more likely to damage delicate compounds. Wines using the vacuum method tend to have more naturally occurring 'winey' characteristics, whereas spinning cone wines may lack aromatics. This could lead to more additives being thrown in the mix, which might result in the wines tasting more artificial. Alcohol-free wines that don't go through fermentation do taste fruitier and more 'grapey', with some tasting overly sweet. You might have to do a little digging to find out which production method has been used for your choice of non-alcoholic wine, as it's not often stated on the bottle, but it will be on the producer's website. All things to consider when you're choosing your alcohol-free wines. Most wines actually have up to 0.5% alcohol, but since even products such as bread, fruit juices, soft fruits and flavoured sparkling waters have up to this amount due to the natural fermentation process, that percentage doesn't have to be announced on the bottle. And, in case you're concerned, I can assure you that bread will not get you drunk. Sophia Longhi is an award-winning wine communicator, wine writer and international wine judge. She is of a good vintage and is now ageing in Brighton. Follow her on Instagram at @skinandpulp
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Cheryl Burke celebrates seven years of sobriety as she recalls using alcohol to 'numb' the pain in powerful post
Cheryl Burke is celebrating seven years of sobriety. The Dancing With The Stars pro, 41, marked the milestone with a powerful post about quitting alcohol on Thursday. In her candid message, Cheryl said she initially believed drinking provided her with 'confidence' - until one day she was unable to recognize her own reflection. The post contained various photos from her past when she did indulge in alcohol - before she gave it up for a life of 'peace', 'power', and more. '7 years ago, I thought sobriety would mean losing everything. The fun. The freedom. The fearless version of me I thought only showed up after a drink,' she wrote in the Instagram caption. 'But what I didn't realize back then… Was that the escape I craved was really from myself. And the girl I ran from? She was the one waiting to save me. The post contained various photos from her old life of drinking 'I used to believe alcohol gave me confidence, connection, and control. Turns out, it stole those things quietly — day by day — until I couldn't recognize my own reflection. 'Today, I no longer chase chaos dressed as fun. I no longer tolerate connections that require me to abandon myself. And I no longer mistake numbness for peace. 'What I thought I'd miss in sobriety? Was never real to begin with. I've gained… Presence. Peace. Self-respect. 'And a relationship with my Higher Power that reminds me I was never walking alone — not even in my darkest moments. 'God didn't take the pain away… He held my hand through it and gave me the strength to rise. 'If you're reading this and wondering if it's possible — I promise you, it is. There's a whole world on the other side of rock bottom. And it's so much more beautiful than I ever imagined. 'Here's to 7 years sober. Here's to choosing clarity, wholeness, and me. One day, one hour, one minute at a time.' In the photos, Cheryl delved further into her decision to cut out alcohol completely, saying she believed it would 'numb everything - the pain, the pressure, the pretending.' 'Addiction wasn't freedom. It was a cage dressed up like a good time,' she also noted, before assuring those struggling that it sobriety indeed a 'beautiful' thing. Cheryl became sober in 2018, during her engagement to her now ex-husband Matthew Lawrence. 'It was just a decision that I made for myself,' she previously said on the Lady Gang podcast, explaining she realized she was 'done' with drinking during their engagement party. Cheryl also described how her late father, who also struggled with alcoholism, factored into her decision to quit drinking. The dancer's father Stephen Louis Burke died shortly before she announced her engagement to Matt. 'My dad was an alcoholic,' she said. 'So either I was gonna crash and burn and check myself into rehab or I was gonna just quit cold turkey.' She expanded on this in a 2020 interview with Extra, saying: 'My father had passed away during that time... It was almost like a promise to myself. I was also getting engaged, I was engaged, sorry, and I was about to get me, my dad was a former alcoholic, so it was either, I was going to crash and burn, or I was going to stop cold turkey.' 'It became, like, an everyday thing, me drinking. It was like I needed to show myself, I guess, that this was not something that I depended on, especially after my dad's passing. 'It wasn't a hard thing for me to do, also my body just wasn't reacting well to it at all... 'Probably more like a subconscious thing than anything else.'
