A New Year buzz without the booze
Monthly Columnist – Food & Drink
With Paula Gracey
How a mystery package led Paula Gracey to strike Gold on a healthy TRIP into 2026
Do you believe in serendipity (dictionary definition: the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way)?
Good things that are meant to be, in other words.
I’ve been a believer since seeing the wonderful 2001 American romantic comedy of the same name, starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale who explain how she lets fate’s “little signals” determine many of her life decisions.
That’s why I took it as a sign to investigate further when a mystery drinks package arrived on my doorstep just after Christmas.
At first I thought it was a late festive arrival I’d ordered and forgotten about. Then, on opening, I discovered a box full of non-alcoholic beverages and knew I would never, ever have ordered those!
On closer inspection, it turned out they were destined for the next door golf club. Far be it from me to rain on a dry January on the fairways, but I returned the wayward package to its rightful owners, the turn of events got me thinking.
Maybe I should take the hint and drink no alcohol a little bit more in January?
Not for nothing do my workmates call me the Supplement Queen.
Ask me anything and I will answer as I take L2 supplements a day along with Collagen powder, creatine powder and protein powder to stay alive.
My latest find is Shilajit paste, which came about from a conversation with a complete stranger on the bus one morning. It comes from the Himalayas and has been used for centuries to give energy, immunity, stamina and has anti-aging properties.
Always on the lookout for a new supplement, I found these new (to me) drinks as a January alternative to alcohol, promising to provide the buzz without the booze and they passed the taste test.
Sentia Spirits Gaba Gold is part of a new generation of mood-enhancing drinks, with complex all-natural botanicals and a rich sensory experience.
The cutting-edge behind every bottle means discerning drinkers can discover a “third way” beyond “alcohol” and “not alcohol” to get the connection and harmony what we want from drinking, without the downsides.
A citrus sensation, bursting with spicy notes and zest complexity, naturally enhance the mood.
Delicious served with soda, lime juice and fresh lime, find it online at sentiaspirits.com for £32 which works out at £1.60 a serving.
And then there’s TRIP, not to be taken literally.
This range of lightly sparkling drinks is infused with botanicals like chamomile, lion’s mane, and lemon balm, and contain 120mg of magnesium to help reduce tiredness and fatigue.
They are vegan, low-calorie and free from added sugar and, at less than 30 calories, a healthy alcohol-free treat in a tin.
There are various flavours including Elderflower Mint (minty and refreshing) and Lemon Basil (zesty and herbaceous), with Wild Mint and Orange Blossom being top picks for oils, while Wild Strawberry and Peach Yuzu are great for their mindful blends.
Their latest for the New Year market is Cherry Lemonade… delicious cherry, sweet berries and lemon with 120mg of magnesium and a unique blend of botanicals.
Buy them in packs of 12, 24 or 48 from as little as £18 at drink-trip.com.
