Sober October with BezBooze: What if you felt better than usual this autumn?

At BezBooze, we believe that drinking less alcohol doesn’t have to mean enjoying life less. Sober October is an opportunity to see how you feel without alcohol for a month. Autumn weather and longer evenings invite us to get together at home or head out to our favourite spots. We look for little pleasures that help us unwind after a busy day and settle into that cosy autumn mood. Use this time to take a closer look at your habits and explore new flavours. If you take on the challenge, autumn conversations with friends don’t have to happen over a glass of water with lemon. In some cases, all you need is something interesting in your glass. How can you prepare, why give the challenge a try, and what can you choose instead of your favourite wine, beer or cocktail? Here are our tips.

Read on to discover:

• What exactly is Sober October?
• Why give it a try, even if you only drink occasionally?
• Five potential benefits of taking a month off alcohol
• A change of perspective: what might you discover along the way?
• Change the ingredients, keep the rituals
• What can you drink instead of alcohol? Discover the world of BezBooze!

What exactly is Sober October?

Sober October is a popular challenge that involves giving up alcohol for an entire month. The idea is simple: for 31 days, you don’t drink alcohol and observe what changes in your wellbeing, daily habits and relationships with others. Some people treat it as a health challenge, others see it as a chance to change everyday habits, while some simply want to find out what a month without alcohol might look like.

The term was popularised by the British organisation Macmillan Cancer Support, although the idea has roots in a local fundraising initiative in Australia. Over the past 20 years, this simple concept has grown into an international campaign raising awareness of alcohol’s impact on health. In 2010, a community initiative called Ocsober—a blend of the words “October” and “sober”—was launched in Australia. Its aim was to encourage people, particularly young people, to reduce their alcohol consumption and support health education. Since 2014, the British organisation Macmillan Cancer Support has encouraged people to abstain from alcohol for a month as part of a fundraising campaign supporting people affected by cancer. It’s a reminder that one reason to take a temporary break from alcohol can be the desire to help others, too.

A change of perspective: what might you discover along the way?

The most interesting part of Sober October may not be giving up alcohol itself, but everything you notice during the experiment. For a month, briefly track how you sleep, how much energy you have and in which situations you’re most likely to reach for alcohol. You can also keep track of the money you don’t spend. At the end, compare your notes with how you felt at the beginning, without expecting everything to change.

When you take a month off alcohol, you may start noticing these patterns. You might also discover how much enjoyment comes from the ritual itself: choosing a glass, preparing a drink, the aroma of citrus, the first sip and a conversation around the table. You can also use October to explore entirely new ways of spending your time. A movie night, a walk after work, a yoga class, cooking a new dish or getting together for board games, a month without alcohol doesn’t have to revolve solely around what you’re not drinking.

The point isn’t to make every day more productive, healthier or perfectly planned. Sometimes it’s enough for the day simply to feel like your own. Imagine the end of October: you’ve spent 31 days experimenting, tried a few new flavours and learned a little more about your habits.

Why give it a try, even if you only drink occasionally?

Alcohol is often part of everyday rituals and social occasions: a glass of wine after work, prosecco at a birthday, cocktails on a date or a beer while watching a match. It’s everywhere and is often treated as a natural part of getting together. It can also seem like the obvious way to relax or celebrate. Even if you only drink occasionally, a month without alcohol can help you understand the role it plays in your life—and whether it really needs to be part of those moments.

You don’t have to identify as someone who abstains from alcohol completely or believe you have a drinking problem to take a break from it. Curiosity and a willingness to look at your own habits are enough. You might also be motivated by the idea of supporting others who are trying to drink less. And when you try other drinks that suit the occasion, you may find that having fun, relaxing or raising a glass together can be just as enjoyable without alcohol.

At a time when “biohacking”, “longevity” and “glow-up” dominate social media, a month without alcohol fits right in with all three trends. Reducing alcohol intake can offer benefits that go beyond how you feel the next morning. The Polish National Health Fund lists potential benefits such as better sleep, concentration and memory, as well as possible improvements in mood and savings. Drinking less alcohol also matters for the prevention of certain diseases. This doesn’t mean everyone will notice all these changes after one month. Much depends on previous habits, health and lifestyle. What might you gain from taking a month off? Read on.

Five potential benefits of a month without alcohol

Everyone’s body responds differently, so treat Sober October as a personal experiment. For 31 days, keep an eye on your sleep, energy, mood and spending. At the end of the month, compare your notes with how things were at the start. Don’t look for a spectacular transformation; focus on what has actually changed for you. Your sober glow-up with BezBooze starts with curiosity!

Think of the points below as things to observe, not promises of specific results.

1. Better sleep and more refreshing mornings

It can seem as though alcohol helps you fall asleep. In reality, it can disrupt the course of your sleep, which may leave you wondering why you don’t wake up feeling rested. Reducing alcohol may help improve your sleep quality. However, remember that other factors such as stress, bedtime and physical activity also affect how well you sleep.

What can you check? Notice how quickly you fall asleep, whether you wake up during the night and how you feel when you get up in the morning. Compare your observations from the beginning and end of the month.

2. More energy day to day

Shorter days, less daylight and a busy work schedule can take their toll, particularly in autumn and winter. During this time, we need to support our immune system, while alcohol can have the opposite effect by weakening it. Alcohol may also contribute to vitamin and mineral deficiencies, so reducing your intake can be one way to support your body during demanding periods.

What can you check? Pay attention to small everyday things: how easy or difficult it is to get up in the morning, concentrate on tasks, go for a walk or find the energy to meet friends after work. Rate your energy in the morning and afternoon, for example on a scale from 1 to 5. After a month, see whether you notice any patterns. Keep a notebook on your bedside table!

3. More awareness of your mood and habits

Alcohol and mental wellbeing are connected, but people can respond differently when they cut back. Some may notice, for example, less anxiety, while others may see less noticeable effects. A month off gives you space to reflect on your emotions and the situations in which you feel like drinking.

Here are a few questions you can ask yourself at the beginning and end of the challenge:

Do I reach for alcohol when I want to unwind?

Do I treat it as a reward after a difficult day?

Do I order a drink mainly because other people are doing it?

What other ways of relaxing work for me?

Don’t judge your choices. The aim is to understand your own habits better and discover that you have more than one way to relax. Alcohol-free options are also becoming an increasingly common part of social menus.

4. An important step towards a longer, healthier life

Alcohol affects organs and entire systems throughout the human body. The Polish National Health Fund points to links between alcohol and conditions including liver disease, high blood pressure and certain cancers. According to the World Health Organization, alcohol consumption is associated with around 200 types of disease and injury. A month without alcohol can therefore be part of prevention and a more conscious approach to looking after yourself. It does not guarantee immediate or specific improvements in test results, or complete recovery of the body. The impact depends on how much and how often you previously drank, your health and your lifestyle habits.

Important: if you drink heavily or regularly and suspect that you may be physically dependent on alcohol, stopping suddenly can be dangerous. In this situation, speak to a doctor before starting the challenge. You can also find professional support through the Polish National Centre for the Prevention of Alcoholism.

5. More money for little pleasures

There’s a way in which drinks during a weekend out can make your wallet shrink almost as quickly as you sip them through a colourful straw. Regular visits to your favourite bar can add up to a substantial amount. A month without alcohol gives you a chance to see how much you actually spend on these occasions. Keep track of the expenses you avoid and add them up at the end of the month. You’ll see the concrete impact of the change on your everyday budget.

Could you put the money towards an autumn city break, a new book or that massage you’ve been looking forward to? Or perhaps you’ll use some of it for a tasting evening with 0% drinks? It’s not only about what you don’t drink, but also what you can spend the money you save on.

Change the ingredients, keep the rituals

Many of us may find that what we miss isn’t alcohol itself so much as the moment associated with it. The moment that helps us separate the end of the working day from the rest of the evening. Meeting friends and sipping something together. Celebrating an important occasion with something more special than sparkling water. Feeling that we can finally slow down.

So instead of giving up your favourite rituals, try changing what’s in the glass. Pay attention to the details, too: ice, fresh herbs, a slice of orange and elegant glassware. Not because a drink has to look like an alcoholic cocktail, but because enjoyment often begins before the first sip.

That’s how a “new-old” ritual can take shape. On Friday, make yourself an alcohol-free cocktail in your favourite glass. On Saturday, invite friends over for a tasting of 0% drinks (P.S. Don’t forget to share your flavour discoveries with us!). For Sunday dinner, choose an interesting alternative to wine. And after a long day, take a few minutes for a quiet evening ritual that helps you switch from work mode to relaxation.

What can you drink instead of alcohol? Discover the world of BezBooze

There’s one myth worth dispelling right away: alcohol-free drinks don’t have to be boring. You don’t have to drink water with lemon all October or limit yourself to orange juice. The world of 0% drinks has much more to offer—from complex alternatives to classic alcoholic drinks and functional alcohol-free beers to original botanical blends and “niewina” (wine alternatives made from scratch). That’s why our team has put together this mini-guide to help you find new alcohol-free favourites for Sober October and beyond!

Discover Autumn Variety – a seasonal bundle at a special price

Want to try a few different 0% flavours without choosing every bottle separately? Discover the Autumn Variety bundle, which includes three distinctive options: Feral No 1, the bold Gnista Red Italian Style and the sparkling Tempera Aubera I, previously known as Eterna I. t’s a great way to explore different sides of the “niewina” category: from a white blend to dry red notes and refreshing bubbles. 

Until 31 October, you can buy the bundle for PLN 250 instead of PLN 300.13, with free delivery. That’s a saving of PLN 50.13, plus three different options for autumn dinners, get-togethers and special occasions.

1. For special occasions

• Our pick: Tempera Aubera I.
• Who is it for?
  People who enjoy dry bubbles, elegant presentation and discovering unexpected flavours.
• What can you expect?
  Tempera Aubera I is a grape-free sparkling blend built around lemon, green tea and marine notes. It’s dry, fresh and lightly mineral, with a subtle salinity and a crisp citrus finish. It’s a choice for anyone looking for something more interesting than a classic sweet, bubbly drink.
• How should you serve it?
  Well chilled, at around 4°C, in a champagne flute. It works well as an aperitif, with a celebratory dinner or alongside light starters.
• Tip: Serve it with seafood, smoked salmon or vegetable starters. Its citrusy, slightly salty character complements these flavours nicely.

2. With dinner instead of red wine

• Our pick: Gnista Red Italian Style.
• Who is it for?
  People who enjoy dry, characterful red wine and want to keep the ritual of choosing a drink to go with their food.
• What can you expect?
  Gnista Red Italian Style is a red-wine alternative made from scratch using juices, extracts and spices, rather than by removing alcohol from traditional wine. Its flavour combines tart cherry, tamarind and sun-dried tomato with notes of liquorice and spices. It’s bold, dry and slightly tannic, with a gently bitter finish.
• How should you serve it? 
  Slightly chilled, at around 12°C, in a red wine glass. Pair it with tomato-based dishes, pizza, red meat or a hearty stew.
• Tip: Instead of asking whether it tastes exactly like traditional wine, treat it as a distinct pairing for food. Choose a dish, pour a glass and see how the flavours change alongside the meal.

3. For a relaxed evening

• Our pick: La Trappe Nillis 0.0.
• Who is it for?
  Beer lovers who enjoy darker, malty and caramel notes and want something more complex than a light lager.
• What can you expect?
  La Trappe Nillis 0.0 is an alcohol-free Trappist beer with a deep amber hue. It brings together malt and caramel aromas with fruity notes from yeast and hops. The flavour is malty, with a pleasant bitterness and a rounded, slightly caramel finish. It contains 0.0% alcohol.
• How should you serve it?
  Chilled, in a beer glass or goblet. It’s a good match for a relaxing evening, snacks and more intensely flavoured dishes.
  
• Tip: If beer is part of a specific occasion for you—a match, a get-together with friends or the end of the week—keep the ritual. Change what’s in the glass and see whether it still gives you what you’re looking for.

4. For an active day and a post-workout get-together

• Our pick: Senza Izotonik Zerosity.
• Who is it for?
  People who enjoy beer and don’t head straight home after a workout. They stay with friends to chat, laugh and catch up. If those get-togethers usually end with a beer together, Sober October doesn’t have to mean giving up the ritual.
• What can you expect?
  Senza Izotonik Zerosity is an alcohol-free beer with a fresh flavour and a gentle bitterness. It’s an option for those who want to keep the beer-like feel of a social occasion while choosing alcohol-free drinks in October.
• How should you serve it?
  Best served chilled, straight from the fridge. For example, after a workout, while chatting at a sports club or during a relaxed get-together with friends.
• Tip: You don’t have to give up post-workout conversations just because you’re not drinking alcohol. Sometimes changing what’s in the can is enough to keep the enjoyable ritual. Remember, though, that water remains the foundation of hydration after exercise—beer doesn’t replace it or an individually tailored hydration plan.

Sober October is a good time to discover something new

Remember: curiosity is the key to exploring 0% experiences. Treat tasting as a way of getting to know a new category of drinks, with its own aromas, texture and character. Not every 0% drink has to imitate alcohol. Some products recreate familiar rituals, while others offer completely new flavours. You might choose a sparkling blend for a celebration, a bold alternative for dinner, a dark beer for the evening or a refreshing option for a get-together after an active day.

Start with one bottle or try a few different options and see what you like best. You don’t have to find the perfect substitute straight away, it’s enough to discover a new possibility.

Explore new flavours, keep your favourite rituals and make conscious choices. Sober October could be the beginning of something that stays with you for longer.