Sober October: A Cheeky Guide to Going Dry (Without Going Dull)

Sep 23, 2025

Hello Cheeky Friends—

October isn’t just pumpkin spice season or the month we collectively pretend to like candy corn. It’s also Sober October, the 31-day challenge where people swap their usual pours for something a little lighter (and hopefully, a lot tastier).

But where did this movement come from, and why does it matter now more than ever? Grab your coupe glass (yes, even if it’s filled with sparkling tea) and let’s dive in.

Where It All Began

Sober October first bubbled up in the U.K. in 2014 as a fundraising campaign for Macmillan Cancer Support. The premise: skip alcohol for the month, raise money for a good cause, and maybe feel a little fresher by Halloween.

What started as a charity stunt quickly turned into a cultural touchpoint. Paired with the global rise of mindful drinking and wellness trends, Sober October became a global challenge—a chance to reset, reflect, and see what life looks like without a daily pour. Spoiler: it looks pretty darn good.

Where It’s Going

These days, Sober October isn’t just about abstaining—it’s about exploring. And that’s where Cheeky & Dry comes in.

We’ve built Seattle’s first dedicated non-alcoholic bottle shop to prove one thing: going dry doesn’t mean sipping sad club soda. It means exploring crisp wines, botanical spirits, sparkling adaptogen spritzes, and every flavor in between. Every bottle on our shelves is hand-picked, carefully curated, and taste-tested (yes, we take our job seriously) to make sure it delivers on flavor, balance, and sophistication.

Sober October has become less of a once-a-year stunt and more of a gateway—a chance for people to discover the world of zero-proof without feeling deprived. And thanks to a rapidly expanding landscape of NA options (and your friendly neighborhood bottle shop), it’s never been easier—or tastier.

How to Make It Through (and Actually Enjoy It)

  • Upgrade your rituals. Pour your sparkling rosé into a coupe, shake your spritz in a shaker, garnish with citrus. The ritual matters as much as the drink.

  • Stock the good stuff. From herbaceous “spirits” to velvety reds, we’ve got bottles that make you forget you’re skipping the ABV. (This is the fun part for us—we’ve done the vetting so you don’t waste time on duds.)

  • Buddy up. Everything’s more fun with a co-pilot. Convince a friend to join you, and suddenly Sober October feels like a movement, not a punishment.

  • Shift your mindset. You’re not “giving something up.” You’re opening yourself up to discovery—flavors, mornings, and maybe even a whole new relationship with what’s in your glass.

  • Celebrate the wins. Whether you make it all 31 days or just a cheeky 10, you’ve reset, explored, and discovered. That’s a win worth toasting.

The Final Sip

Sober October may have started as a fundraiser, but today it’s so much more. It’s a chance to try on a different way of living—even if just for a month—and discover that “alcohol-free” doesn’t mean “flavor-free.”

At Cheeky & Dry, we’ve built our shelves to make sure your zero-proof journey is filled with delight, not compromise. Whether you’re sober-curious, fully alcohol-free, or just in it for the month, we’re here as your hub for all things cheeky, dry, and delicious.

So here’s to Sober October: proof (without proof) that flavor is always on point.
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