Summer is the season for socialising, from music festivals and garden parties to laid-back picnics in the park.
If you’re someone who enjoys a tipple on social occasions, drinking better, not more, will make these moments more memorable than ever.
Diageo, the maker of iconic brands such as Guinness, Johnnie Walker and Gordon’s, are here to help you celebrate to the fullest by sharing four simple, effective tips to keep in mind.
Sip smarter this summer: Try these tips to enjoy drinking in moderation this year!
And once you’ve read them, be sure to head over to the DRINKiQ quiz to test your knowledge of all things drinking…
Here’s to a summer of music, laughter and good times – all thanks to the Magic of Moderate drinking!
1. Measure your drinks
Keeping track of your alcohol consumption is key to ensuring you stay within your limits.
As the old saying goes, knowledge is power. Or in this case, the power to drink responsibly!
If you’re drinking spirits at a summer gathering, opting for measured single serves makes it much easier to work out how much you’ve had.
It can be tricky to count drinks when your glass is topped up halfway through, so try to wait until you’ve finished your drink before accepting a refill.
And when hosting, use a spirits jigger to measure out each serve so you don’t accidentally add more alcohol than you meant to.
Using a spirits jigger to measure out each serve will ensure you don’t accidentally add more alcohol than you intended to
2. Space out your drinks with water
It’s always important to drink plenty of water, but especially when drinking.
So water is key to keeping the good times going – particularly when it’s hot.
Alternating drinks with a cold glass with ice and lemon will help you pace yourself and ensure you’re enjoying every sip without overdoing it.
Explore alcohol-free options: There are so many delicious alternatives to choose from
3. Pair drinks with delicious food
You must eat tasty food, and plenty of it! See what we mean when we say responsible drinking is about having MORE fun rather than less?
Great food doesn’t just elevate any celebration; it also slows alcohol absorption – helping to keep the good times balanced.
If you’re hosting, a well-chosen selection of nibbles is guaranteed to be a hit with your guests, while also providing a chance to show off your cooking skills.
A nice touch is to choose foods that complement the taste of particular drinks – providing people with even more of an incentive to take a bite.
4. Explore alcohol-free options
The number of alcohol-free drinks choices has boomed in recent years, with many bars providing a separate menu of delicious alcohol-free options.
It’s well worth taking a look if you want to take the night off booze without compromising on the experience.
Or you could try the technique known as zebra-striping, where you switch each alcoholic drink with an alcohol-free one.
This naturally reduces the amount of alcohol you have without feeling like you’re missing out in social settings.
Whatever your approach, the key is to savour every moment and embrace the magic of moderation.
With thoughtful choices, you can make this summer memorable for all the right reasons.
For more information about the Magic of Moderate Drinking, click HERE.
Drink responsibly. The UK Chief Medical Officers advise that to keep the risk from alcohol low, adults should not regularly drink more than 14 units of alcohol per week.