In this episode, I explore why alcohol-free bottles are labelled as ‘botanical spirit’ or ‘dark spiced’ instead of gin or rum. These naming conventions aren't just creative marketing—they're legal requirements which force alcohol-free producers to use alternative terminology that hints at what their products are meant to replace.

But does it cause more confusion? What do brands need to do to support low, no, light drinkers in finding, understanding and enjoying their drinks?

THIS WEEK, WE’RE TALKING ABOUT:
0:00 Talking alcohol-free spirits
1:29 Legally protected
2:37 Minimum requirements
4:23 Producer creativity
5:49 Is it confusing?
8:01 Is it bad for brands?
9:55 Is it easier for non-replica brands?
11:24 Naming & comparing
12:01 Will the law change?
13:17 What brands can do to help consumers.
13:39 What would you prefer?

BEST EPISODE TO LISTEN TO NEXT:
#56 FAQ: What does ABV mean? (and how does it affect low/no drinks?)

ALSO MENTIONED:
CleanCo*
Lyre’s*
Rebels 0.0*

If you could spare me two minutes to rate and review the show on your podcasting app of choice, you'll make me the happiest little podcaster in all of Low No Nation 😊

===============================

Low No Drinker: The ONLY twice-weekly podcast bringing you closer to the people, places and brands leading the low, no & light alcohol revolution.

Helping you to find, understand and enjoy low, no and light drinks.


DOWNLOAD COOL FREE STUFF FROM LOW NO DRINKER MEDIA

SUBSCRIBE TO LOW NO DRINKER MAGAZINE ONLINE OR IN PRINT ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD

*Some links are affiliate links, and if you click through and make a purchase, Low No Drinker may earn a commission. Thank you.

Chris Cardone is a beverage consultant, chief mixologist and career bartender who, despite being sober for nearly 10 years, has continued to work in the hospitality drinks industry and help make the bar scene more inclusive for those seeking alternative ways to drink.

He is the winner of Bartender of the Year, a four-time national flair bartending finalist, and has even taught celebrities like Tom Holland how to flair bartend.

From Chris’s terrifying brain chemistry causing terrifying hallucinogenic reactions to even small amounts of alcohol to the naysayers claiming a sober bartender couldn't succeed, this story is incredible.

And, of course, he also shares invaluable insights into what makes quality alcohol-free spirits, the education gap in the industry, why non-alcoholic options deserve their place (and price point) alongside traditional cocktails, and how to make the most of non-alc spirits at home.

WE CHAT ABOUT
0:00 Meeting Chris Cardone
1:54 The importance of hospitality
3:37 Chris' story
5:33 Hallucinogenic episodes
8:08 A life changing question
9:10 Staying in hospitality sober
12:05 A chemical reaction?
14:14 Being a sober career bartender
17:38 People thought I was sick
19:27 They told me to shut the fuck up
23:38 Watching the birth of a culture
27:30 What Chris thinks of Seedlip & Co
29:02 This isn't a trend
30:09 The good, the bad & the ugly of non-alc spirits
33:22 The alcohol-free cocktail experience
35:22 Where brands go wrong
36:47 Excited by Sylva & Ben Branson
38:46 The lack of education around non-alc spirits
42:22 The power of the bartender
43:32 Understanding the value of non-alc
48:31 A call to brands: Teach us!
52:13 Making alcohol-free cocktails at home
53:51 Tip 2: Start with a classic
54:43 Tip 3: Tinker & test
57:41 The Continuous Bev Consultancy
58:49 Creating a balanced cocktail menu
59:37 The cost of NOT having a non-alc offer
1:02:06 Corporate event consulting
1:03:55 Finding Chris
1:04:46 The BBQ-Q

CHRIS ON LINKEDIN // CONTINUOUSBEV.COM

WE ALSO TALK ABOUT:
Bero
Seedlip*
The Pathfinder
Aplos
Seasn
All the Bitter
Lyres
Ritual
Athletic
Peroni 00
Guinness 00
Prima Pave
Tost*

Download your free quick start guide at lownodrinkermagazine.com/freegifts

If you could spare me two minutes to rate and review the show on your podcasting app of choice, you'll make me the happiest little podcaster in all of Low No Nation 😊

===============================

Low No Drinker: The ONLY twice-weekly podcast bringing you closer to the people, places and brands leading the low, no & light alcohol revolution.

Helping you to find, understand and enjoy low, no and light drinks.


DOWNLOAD COOL FREE STUFF FROM LOW NO DRINKER MEDIA

SUBSCRIBE TO LOW NO DRINKER MAGAZINE ONLINE OR IN PRINT ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD

*Some links are affiliate links, and if you click through and make a purchase, Low No Drinker may earn a commission. Thank you.

Why is the word 'Mocktail' so contentious in the low/no space?

IN THIS WEEK’S EPISODE, WE COVER:

0:59 [A very] Brief history of mocktails

2:55 A mockery

3:40 Second-class drinkers

4:46 Not for the kids menu

7:40 What else can we call them?

8:24 Other terrible terms

9:21 AF mixologists to watch

10:49 But... some people still like it

12:04 A good problem to have

BEST EPISODE TO LISTEN TO NEXT:

#29 The rise and rise of Mocktails with Pooja Sharma-Jones

ALSO MENTIONED:

Derek Brown – The Mindful Drinking Podcast

Chris Cardone

Camille Vidal – La Maison Wellness

Dr Cocktail

The Midnight Muddler

Millie Gooch

If you could spare me two minutes to rate and review the show on your podcasting app of choice, you'll make me the happiest little podcaster in all of Low No Nation 😊

===============================

Low No Drinker: The ONLY twice-weekly podcast bringing you closer to the people, places and brands leading the low, no & light alcohol revolution.

Helping you to find, understand and enjoy low, no and light drinks.


DOWNLOAD COOL FREE STUFF FROM LOW NO DRINKER MEDIA

SUBSCRIBE TO LOW NO DRINKER MAGAZINE ONLINE OR IN PRINT ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD

*Some links are affiliate links, and if you click through and make a purchase, Low No Drinker may earn a commission. Thank you.

Oli Genn-Bash is one of the most interesting guests I’ve had the privilege to interview. He’s a fungi fanatic and a mycology maestro; aka he loves mushrooms!

In this deep dive episode into the true role of functional mushrooms in our drinks, Oli doesn’t hold back. He tells us what these fascinating fungi actually do in our bodies, how to identify quality suppliers and the truth about whether they’re actually having any impact when used inside low/no drinks.

This is definitely one of those episodes where I’m inviting you to strap on your listening ears and come along and learn with me.

===============

WE CHAT ABOUT

0:00 Coming up...

2:45 Oli's story

5:20 Historical & cultural use

7:01 Introducing the "Big 5"

7:28 Over-popularisation of Lion's Mane

9:57 Reishi: The mushroom of immortality

11:08 Motivation & energy from cordyceps

14:33 Olympic doping

15:35 Medicinal uses of cordyceps

17:31 How to consume functional mushrooms

20:38 Are there any side effects?

23:00 Are they effective in low/no drinks?

25:35 Zero regulations

26:27 How mushroom powder is made

28:14 Extract ratios

31:29 Will the laws change?

34:06 Turkey Tail: pharmaceutical grade cancer treatment

35:06 Chaga: not a true mushroom

37:04 Magic mushrooms for the psychotropic curious

41:41 Micro-dosing: What is it?

47:31 Why I invited Oli on the pod

48:31 The Fungi Consultancy

50:48 Find Oli

51:30 The BBQ-Q

53:39 Keep mycology alive

FIND OLI

THE FUNGI CONSULTANT.COM // @THE_FUNGI_CONSULTANT // LINKEDIN.COM/IN/OLI-GENN-BASH

WE ALSO TALK ABOUT:

The Bristol Fungarium

jAGA*

BEST EPISODE TO CHECK OUT NEXT

#47 Psychotropic-curious with High & Dry

Download your free quick start guide at lownodrinkermagazine.com/freegifts

If you could spare me two minutes to rate and review the show on your podcasting app of choice, you'll make me the happiest little podcaster in all of Low No Nation 😊

===============================

Low No Drinker: The ONLY twice-weekly podcast bringing you closer to the people, places and brands leading the low, no & light alcohol revolution.

Helping you to find, understand and enjoy low, no and light drinks.


DOWNLOAD COOL FREE STUFF FROM LOW NO DRINKER MEDIA

SUBSCRIBE TO LOW NO DRINKER MAGAZINE ONLINE OR IN PRINT ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD

*Some links are affiliate links, and if you click through and make a purchase, Low No Drinker may earn a commission. Thank you.

“Alcohol changes everything about how a drink feels and tastes and behaves.”

“There's a lot that goes on with alcohol inside a drink that is about far more than just getting you sozzled, and when you take that away, it's going to give you a different product.”

This week we cover:

0:00 Welcome to ep#68

0:26 But first, a big thank you!

2:13 The no.1 mistake

2:45 Managing expectations

3:19 Alcohol changes everything

4:47 The comparison game

5:55 Managing expectations

6:59 Tasting tips (wine)

8:07 Start simple

9:59 Don't go looking for alcohol

10:24 Give it time

10:48 Your palate will adjust

12:26 Perfect serves

13:29 Try something different

===============================

Best episode to check out next:

#66 Active vs Passive Moderation

If you could spare me two minutes to rate and review the show on your podcasting app of choice, you'll make me the happiest little podcaster in all of Low No Nation 😊

===============================

Low No Drinker: The ONLY twice-weekly podcast bringing you closer to the people, places and brands leading the low, no & light alcohol revolution.

Helping you to find, understand and enjoy low, no and light drinks.


DOWNLOAD COOL FREE STUFF FROM LOW NO DRINKER MEDIA

SUBSCRIBE TO LOW NO DRINKER MAGAZINE ONLINE OR IN PRINT ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD

*Some links are affiliate links, and if you click through and make a purchase, Low No Drinker may earn a commission. Thank you.

Matt Martin is the co-founder of MUUSH functional mushroom elixirs. A unique range of alcohol-free drinks that can be mixed and served hot, cold or added into mocktails – covering your functional needs though morning, noon and night.

But they’re not stopping there. Matt & Dan have also added an extension of kid-friendly drinks with their Mini Muush range, and wanting to ensure Generation A stays enthused and motivated, they’ve also launched a brand new docuseries called ‘One Small Step’, sharing the incredible feats of regular humans doing exceptional things.

Warm yourself up or cool yourself down with a MUUSH and settle in for a listen…

============

WE CHAT ABOUT

1:54 2025: A big year?

3:36 Matt's story

6:13 Land Rover events

7:24 Working with Asahi

9:10 The inspiration for MUUSH

12:14 What makes MUUSH unique

14:57 Adding functional mushrooms

18:08 Does it taste like mushrooms

22:22 Hot, cold & in mocktails

28:17 For the kids: Mini MUUSH

29:36 Carcinogenic concerns of sugar

32:02 One Small Step docuseries

34:17 Disrupting the alcohol market

42:07 Functional gains

47:25 Where to connect

47:55 One Small Step guests

51:15 The BBQ-Q

============

TRY MUUSH // @MUUSH.UK // MUUSH.CO

============

WE ALSO TALK ABOUT:

Lucky Saint*

Guinness 0.0*

============
BEST EPISODE TO CHECK OUT NEXT

#64 FAQ: What do functional beverages do?

Download your free quick start guide at lownodrinkermagazine.com/freegifts

If you could spare me two minutes to rate and review the show on your podcasting app of choice, you'll make me the happiest little podcaster in all of Low No Nation 😊

===============================

Low No Drinker: The ONLY twice-weekly podcast bringing you closer to the people, places and brands leading the low, no & light alcohol revolution.

Helping you to find, understand and enjoy low, no and light drinks.


DOWNLOAD COOL FREE STUFF FROM LOW NO DRINKER MEDIA

SUBSCRIBE TO LOW NO DRINKER MAGAZINE ONLINE OR IN PRINT ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD

*Some links are affiliate links, and if you click through and make a purchase, Low No Drinker may earn a commission. Thank you.

“It's a change in who you are. It's a change in the way you think. It's a change in the way that you act, and, most importantly, it's a change in your belief system.”

This week we're covering:

0:21 Active vs passive moderation

0:46 Warning: Not suitable for people with AUD

2:19 3 Es Framework

3:52 What is active moderation?

4:41 Setting the rules of active moderation

5:34 Pros of active moderation

7:30 Cons of active moderation

8:19 The final countdown

9:34 It's only temporary

10:23 Pros of passive moderation

12:13 Long-term sustainability

12:58 My passive moderation journey

13:53 Does alcohol serve you?

15:55 Cons of passive moderation

16:43 Understanding yourself

18:58 Which one is best for you?

20:52 Swapping between active and passive moderation

22:35 Mindful drinking parallels

23:01 From passive moderation to active

25:22 No right way

26:15 Questions to ask yourself

=============================================

Best episode to listen to next:

#63 FAQ: What exactly are zebra striping and bookending (& do they work)?

Download your free quick start guide at lownodrinkermagazine.com/freegifts

If you could spare me two minutes to rate and review the show on your podcasting app of choice, you'll make me the happiest little podcaster in all of Low No Nation 😊

===============================

Low No Drinker: The ONLY twice-weekly podcast bringing you closer to the people, places and brands leading the low, no & light alcohol revolution.

Helping you to find, understand and enjoy low, no and light drinks.


DOWNLOAD COOL FREE STUFF FROM LOW NO DRINKER MEDIA

SUBSCRIBE TO LOW NO DRINKER MAGAZINE ONLINE OR IN PRINT ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD

*Some links are affiliate links, and if you click through and make a purchase, Low No Drinker may earn a commission. Thank you.

Welcome to the show!!

Low No Drinker is the only twice-weekly podcast helping you find, understand and enjoy the drinks that help us all live a life less intoxicated!

Subscribe now to never miss an interview or solo episode that brings you closer to the people, places and brands leading the low, no and light alcohol revolution!

===============================

Low No Drinker: The ONLY twice-weekly podcast bringing you closer to the people, places and brands leading the low, no & light alcohol revolution.

Helping you to find, understand and enjoy low, no and light drinks.


DOWNLOAD COOL FREE STUFF FROM LOW NO DRINKER MEDIA

SUBSCRIBE TO LOW NO DRINKER MAGAZINE ONLINE OR IN PRINT ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD

*Some links are affiliate links, and if you click through and make a purchase, Low No Drinker may earn a commission. Thank you.