A Coastal Conversation on Giving Up Alcohol

There’s something about winter on the coast—salty breezes, early sunsets, and warm conversations over cups of tea or citrusy mocktails—that naturally brings us closer together. As Dry July rolls around, it feels like the perfect time to pause, reset, and talk about something a lot of us are quietly exploring: moderation.

In this piece, we’re diving into the benefits of giving up alcohol, even for a little while, and how choosing a sober month can create ripples of change in unexpected ways. It’s a conversation—woman to woman, sister to sister—about energy, clarity, connection, and choice. Whether you're fully quitting alcohol, trying a mindful break, or just mocktail curious, you're welcome here.

A Coastal Morning: Where It All Started

“Dry July?” I laughed when my best friend Mia floated the idea over brunch.

She stirred oat milk into her coffee. “Yeah. Just a month. I need the reset. My sleep’s been rubbish, I’m tired all the time, and honestly, I just want to feel more me.”

I blinked. Running Australia's first non-alcoholic distillery, I'm used to taking breaks from alcohol and I have to admit can be a bit preachy about the benefits of taking a break. But to be truthful Mia had never  listened to me - not once. Her vodka and tonic was her almost daily reward and as the mum to four demanding kids, to be honest I never thought I see the day she of all people would say "lets take a break".

For me Dry July is a bit of a yearly ritual. Many people assume I must be sober to do my job, but the truth is for me the goal has always been around moderation not sobriety. I used to drink for so many reasons, Im tired, Ive finished work, I want to celebrate, commiserate.... the list went on. Nowadays I enjoy the occasional glass of bubbles or an Orange wine, but to honest that horrible flat feeling, of not quit hungover but a bit foggy and down is so often just not worth it. 

And so we made a pact. We’d try Dry July together. Mia would give up her vodkas and tonic and I would take a break from a glass of wine, and be her companion cheering her on and finding ways to make it all seem a little more bearable. Just us, the sea, and a very well-stocked Seadrift mocktail bar.

What Is Dry July, Really?

Dry July began as a charity challenge encouraging people to go alcohol-free for the month to raise funds for people affected by cancer. But over the years, it’s become more than a fundraiser—it’s a movement. A social reset. A gentle rebellion against a culture where "wine o’clock" has become shorthand for self-care.

And it’s growing. More Australians are choosing sobriety, even temporarily, to reconnect with their health, their values, and their community. 

👉 Support the Dry July Foundation

The Physical Benefits of Stopping Drinking

We often hear about the negatives of alcohol, but what happens when you quit drinking—even just for 30 days?

1. Better Sleep

Alcohol messes with REM cycles. After a week without it, I started waking up rested. Not just awake—actually alive. There is tonnes of science around it but after about three days, you will feel it. And love it! 

2. Glowing Skin

A few weeks in to my first Dry July , I caught my reflection and paused. “You look fresh,” my daughter said. “Like, younger, almost beach-fresh.” At the time I was in my forties, and to be honest Id give anything to look like that now. It's funny but our skin somehow takes in alcohol, maybe its the dehydration factor or that its altering the structure of every cell but better skin is definately a huge benefit in my book! 

3. Energy for Days

Without the ups and downs of drinking, your energy stabilises. That afternoon slump? For some gone immediately for others it might take a little longer, even up to three weeks. But when it hits you'll just start to feel alive and like yourself again. 

4. Improved Digestion and Metabolism

Your gut gets a break, your liver starts to heal, and everything feels... lighter. Literally and emotionally.

 “I lost 4 kilos in Dry July last year, but more than that—I felt lighter in my mood. I didn’t realise how much alcohol was dragging me down.” — Jodie R., Avalon Beach

 

Mental Clarity and Emotional Reset

Maybe the biggest shift for me wasn’t physical at all. It was how I felt inside.

I could sit with my thoughts without numbing. I had more patience for my kids. Conversations felt deeper. My creative spark started flickering again.

It wasn’t always easy, especially that first Friday night. But the rewards were real. I love to journal and it just allowed me to be able to hear myself think for once.

The Power of Connection

Saying no to alcohol often makes space for saying yes to other things:

• Sunrise walks.

• Quiet beach swims.

• Honest conversations without the filter of booze.

• Slowing down, tuning in, being there.

What Moderation Really Means

You don’t have to go all or nothing. Moderation might mean:

• Swapping every second wine for a mocktail or as its called Zebra Stripping! 

• Alcohol-free weeks and indulgent weekends.

• Drinking less often, and more intentionally.

There’s power in choosing. Not because you should, but because it feels right for you and your body.

Sobriety Is Having a Moment

And it’s not just you. The sober movement is growing fast:

• More restaurants with zero-proof menus.

• Entire bars dedicated to non-alcoholic spirits. Here at Seadrift our bar has the widest selection of non-alcoholic options from mocktails, to wines, to beers. You can try them all. 

• Seadrift bottles popping up at dinner parties, beach picnics, and yoga brunches. (We hope!)

Seadrift: Your Coastal Companion This Dry July

If you’re trying Dry July, or curious about the benefits of quitting alcohol, Seadrift can really help. Research in the UK has shown that alcohol free drinks can have a really positive effect on peoples ability to go for extended times without alcohol. 

Our distilled, alcohol-free spirits are crafted in small batches, designed to mix beautifully into cocktails that taste grown-up, complex, and coastal.

Seadrift Product Showcase

Seadrift Coast – Fresh and herbal with notes of kaffir lime, basil, and juniper. Pairs perfectly with tonic water and a sprig of basil.m

Seadrift Marine – A refreshing, oceanic profile with fresh coriander, sea kelp and  lemongrass. Ideal for daytime sipping and makes a wicked Non Alcoholic Margarita. 

Seadrift Wild Hibiscus – Deep floral tones, tangy hibiscus, and a gentle spice—perfect for evening drinks or romantic occasions.

Seadrift Orange Aperitif - Vibrant fresh orange notes, with a touch of bitters, creates a deelpy satisfying afternoon aperitif. Mix with 0% Prosecco or Soda Water and garnish with a wedge of fresh orange and a sprig of thyme. 

Seadrift Whiskie: With notes of oak, gunpowder and vanilla, its the perfect blended style whiskie that is delicious over ice or mixed with ginger ale. 

Try These Dry July Mocktails:

• Seadrift Coast & Tonic: Crisp and clean, like an ocean breeze.

• Wild Hibiscus Spritz: Tangy, floral, and deeply refreshing.

• Seadrift Old Fashioned: Whiskie and ginger beer with a dash of sugar syrup. Rich and delicious.

What Customers Are Saying

“Dry July felt doable because of Seadrift. I still had a beautiful drink in my hand, and honestly? I didn’t miss the wine one bit.” — Lauren P., Sydney

“That Wild Hibiscus Spritz has become my Friday ritual. It’s like a treat that doesn’t come with the Sunday guilt.” — Emily T., Newcastle

Tips for Thriving Through Dry July

• Make it social. Invite friends to join you it really helps! 

• Stock your fridge. Have mocktail ingredients ready.

• Track how you feel. Journaling helps you notice the subtle shifts.

• Celebrate. Treat yourself to something lovely with the money you’ve saved.

Beyond Dry July

What starts as a 30-day break often leads to bigger lifestyle shifts.

Some women return to drinking—but many like me - less often, and more mindfully. Others embrace sobriety long-term, and find new joy in clarity, energy, and deeper connection.

There’s no right or wrong. Just what works for you.

Join the Coastal Moderation Movement

We’re here with you, every step of the way. Whether you’re diving into Dry July, experimenting with moderation, or celebrating the benefits of giving up alcohol, Seadrift has your back.

Because life is rich, layered, and beautiful—even without the buzz.

👉 Explore the Seadrift range and how Seadrift can help you achieve moderation this  Dry July. 

By Carolyn Whiteley

Co-Founder of Seadrift Distillery

* PS my best friends name has been changed to protect her identity!