The ‘bookending’ booze rule will change the way you drink in 2025
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I’ve never been one to shun alcohol completely when Dry January rolls around. Knowing me, I’d be white-knuckling the booze cupboard and opening bottles with my teeth come February 1st. That’s why I’ve take to ‘zebra striping’, the practice of alternating between an alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink when you’re out and about.
![[Rob Buckhaven and bottles of drink]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEC_234772846-9b23.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Unlike Dry January, which involves jumping on the wagon only to get straight back off it 31 days later, zebra striping is something you can adopt as a drinking rule throughout the year. It’s ideal for the sober-curious among us, dipping your toe in the water rather than raw-dogging the booze-free lifestyle all in one go.
![[Gratien and Meyer Festillant Sparkling Sans Alcool 0%, ?4.50, The Wine Society]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_234772761-817d.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Zebra striping reduces your overall alcohol intake by half, also saving you a considerable amount of money when you think of the price of a pint these days. In fact, 25% of the UK population is already doing it on a regular basis, and impressively this includes 78% of 18 to 24-year-olds. Talk about being wise beyond your years.
![[Thomson and Scott Noughty Alcohol Free Sparkling Rose ?9.50 0.5%, Waitrose Cellar]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_234772073-f919.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
But if this method doesn’t appeal, or you want to really ease yourself in to the change, you could always give the bookending method a try. As the name suggests, bookending involves swapping booze for a non-alcoholic drink when it comes to your first and last drink of the evening. Sounds a bit more doable, eh?.
![[Real Dry Dragon Sparkling Tea 0%, ?12 (?9.50 mix 6), Majestic]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_234772083-2b71.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
