More than one-third of Americans don’t drink alcohol. With healthier alternatives coming onto the scene, people are choosing to ditch the boozy drinks and live an alcohol-free lifestyle, and this also includes vacations.
#AlchoholFreeLiving has over 2.7 million views on TikTok, while #alcoholfreeholidays has almost 130,000. If you don’t drink alcohol or you’re just looking to cut back, below are the top destinations to visit that offer some fantastic alternatives for your vacation.
Bali, Indonesia
Alcohol is widely available in Bali, but buying certain alcohol can leave a dent in your wallet. Bali imposes a 150% import tax on brands, making wine and premium spirits more costly. Since most of the country is Muslim, you’ll find juices and ginger teas are extremely popular. You’ll often be greeted by one of these when you arrive at your hotel or resort, and the good news is, these drinks are very healthy for you.
The ginger tea is known to help with pain and inflammation (perfect for getting off that long flight), as well as managing other health concerns. Travelers boast online why Bali was responsible for their ginger tea addiction, and you’ll find each place adds its own flair to a Jamu Juice or Ginger Tea, which you’ll want to grab the recipe for.
Dubai, UAE
Although liquor just got less expensive in Dubai due to its latest alcohol rules, bars and restaurants are known to add a markup to alcohol, which can be pretty hefty. Dubai has strict alcohol regulations, where drinking is only allowed in certain locations, such as your home and licensed venues. These licensed venues are often targeted toward tourists and ex-pats, which essentially defeats the purpose of going somewhere authentic and having a local experience.
Dubai is known for its café culture, so you’ll have plenty of choices to enjoy a traditional Arabic coffee (or Gahwa), which uses spices such as cumin and saffron. It’s poured into a dallah, an Arabian coffee pot, and is usually served with dates. Karak is also a popular drink option and is considered Dubai’s national drink – a sweet chai tea with milk and spices.
Istanbul, Turkey
Drinking a lot of alcohol is not part of Turkish culture, with most of the population choosing to have a glass or two here and there. Since it doesn’t have a large drinking culture, you’ll find plenty of cafes and restaurants in Istanbul that don’t serve alcohol, with most locals opting to go to tea gardens or cafes instead.
Tea is considered part of Turkish hospitality and is always offered to guests in homes. In fact, the Turkish are known to drink more tea per person than any other country in the world (yes, more than Brits!). It’s also the fifth-highest tea production country in the world. Black tea is the most popular, but there are also herbal options such as rose hip, linden flower, chamomile, and pomegranate.
Kenya
Kenya has the lowest consumption rate of alcohol in sub-Saharan Africa, which is a result of its alcohol policies that have been implemented for many years. The government uses initiatives such as reducing alcohol availability and imposing alcohol taxes to reduce people’s alcohol intake, and this is clearly working for the country.
Kenya has some of the most renowned coffee in the world and produces excellent quality beans. Similarly to other coffee culture countries, Kenyans like to socialize in coffee shops for several hours, enjoying this delicious beverage. Tea and tropical fruit juices are also popular throughout since the country has perfect growing climates.
Guatemala
The third-largest country in Central America takes the title for the lowest per capita consumption of alcohol in Latin America and the Caribbean, with more than one-third of the county never trying alcohol in their lives. You’ll find popular drinks include “limonada con soda”, which is a freshly squeezed lemonade with soda water, or “licuados,” a type of fruit smoothie made with local fruits and water or milk.
One of Guatemala’s traditional drinks is sold at markets and is a warm sweet corn beverage with cinnamon or vanilla. The drink has a creamy and silky texture since the corn kernels are lightly ground. Guatemala is also popular for its coffee since the country offers ideal growing conditions with its nutrient-rich volcanic soil that gives it a distinct flavor (think: tasting notes of chocolate and cocoa with a toffee-like sweetness).
Malaysia
Like Indonesia, Malaysia is a Muslim-majority country, which contributes to its lower global average for alcohol consumption when compared to its Asian neighbors. Malaysia’s national drink is “Teh Tarik,” which is a frothy concoction of black tea and condensed milk. It uses a particular technique of pouring and pulling between two cups to achieve its frothy topping.
Malaysians love their tea, but there are also a variety of exotic drinks with bright colors and unusual flavors to try. Some of these include Air Bandung – a rose syrup drink, Nutmeg Juice, Ambarella juice, and Longan juice. A lot of these juices are packed with vitamins and antioxidants, so you’ll be returning home with an added glow.
Saudi Arabia
One of the most obvious places to add to this list is Saudi Arabia since even tourists aren’t exempted from its tough alcohol laws. Tourists aren’t allowed to drink any alcohol in the country, and if you do, it carries strong punishment.
Juices are very popular in Saudi Arabia, with Saudi Coolers (or Saudi Champagne) being heavily served at hotels and nice restaurants. Despite its name, it contains no champagne and is a mix of apple juice and sparkling water with slices of citrus fruits and fresh mint. Since the whole country doesn’t serve alcohol, you’ll find plenty of delicious and creative options to quench your thirst, including traditional Arabic coffee.
