Sober Curious? Here’s Where THC Drinks Actually Fit In

If you typed “sober curious,” “Dry January,” or “alcohol alternatives” into Google and landed here, welcome. You’re part of a real shift, not a fringe one. More than 1 in 4 alcohol buyers now say they’ll do Dry January, and global no- and low-alcohol drink volumes are growing roughly 9% a year while regular alcohol sales barely move. This isn’t a January thing anymore — people are calling it “zebra striping,” alternating alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks across the same night instead of treating it as all-or-nothing.

What “sober curious” actually means

The term comes from Ruby Warrington’s 2018 book of the same name, and it means something specific: questioning your relationship with alcohol without necessarily committing to full sobriety. It’s not a program or a diagnosis, it’s curiosity. Do you actually enjoy this drink, or are you just used to having one?

Dry January, mindful drinking, and zebra striping

Dry January keeps growing, and it’s increasingly a repeat habit rather than a one-time resolution — most people who’ve tried it before say they successfully cut back, even if they didn’t stay dry the whole year. Mindful drinking applies that same self-awareness to alcohol that people already apply to food or screen time. And zebra striping is the newest of the three: swapping between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks in the same sitting, less about abstinence and more about pacing.

Where THC drinks fit — an honest comparison

A THC drink like San Buzi is one option alongside mocktails, non-alcoholic beer, and adaptogen tonics. Here’s the honest comparison, no oversell:

• Calories: alcohol typically runs 100-150+ per drink; San Buzi is 0.
• Next morning: no alcohol-related hangover, but THC affects everyone differently and overdoing it can still leave you feeling off.
• Legal age and access: both are 21+, but hemp-derived THC’s legal status varies more by state than alcohol’s does — check our state legality guide before ordering.
• Driving: treat THC exactly like alcohol — don’t drive after consuming either.

Neither is “safer” across the board. They’re different substances with different risk profiles, and both call for the same basic judgment: know your limit, don’t drive, and pay attention to how you actually feel.

What about “California sober”?

You may have also searched “California sober” — a term for avoiding alcohol and harder substances while still using cannabis. There’s real research behind part of the idea: a 2025 Brown University-affiliated study found cannabis use was associated with reduced short-term alcohol consumption in some people.

An honest caveat that matters more than it might seem: researchers involved in that work were explicit that this isn’t a clinically recognized treatment for alcohol use disorder, and addiction medicine organizations don’t recommend cannabis as a substitute for people managing a diagnosed drinking problem. If you’re sober curious — rethinking your relationship with alcohol as a lifestyle choice — that’s exactly who this article, and San Buzi, is for. If you’re working through alcohol addiction or recovery, this isn’t the right resource — talk to a doctor or a licensed treatment professional, not a product page.

Try it for yourself

San Buzi is made in Atlanta, lab-tested every batch, and built for exactly this moment — the Friday night, the BBQ, the “I don’t feel like alcohol tonight but I still want something” occasion. Try one of our own sober-curious favorites, The Sunset Sipper, or host an alcohol-free happy hour.

This article is for general information and isn’t medical advice. THC affects everyone differently — start with a low dose and see how you feel before having more. Must be 21+ to purchase. Don’t drive or operate machinery after consuming. If you’re managing alcohol use disorder or substance use recovery, please consult a healthcare professional rather than relying on this page.