Mindful Drinking Festival
Celebrating delicious non-alcoholic wines, beers, spirits, and cocktails
Mindful Drinking Fest 2024
January 26TH – 28TH, 2024 – “How Do We Lose the Booze and Keep The Culture”
The largest U.S. mindful drinking festival in Washington, D.C. in partnership with mindful drinking pioneer Derek Brown, nonalcoholic party impresario Maria Bastasch, and the Adult Non-alcoholic Beverage Association (ANBA). Mindful Drinking Fest 2024 will be a full weekend engaging and connecting mindful drinkers with a grand tasting hall, seminars, bars, brand activations, and an entirely non-alcoholic rave hosted by Disco Mary. Celebrating the delicious non-alcoholic wines, beers, spirits, and cocktails that have exploded onto the market as well as the growing culture of people who are mindful of what and how they drink.
Just in time for Dry January, Mindful Drinking Fest is back! Join January 26-28 for a weekend of good vibes and mindful sipping. Whether sober curious, on a break or just want to explore new flavors, this event is for you! Immerse yourself in an inclusive atmosphere, connect with like-minded people and experience our Grand Tasting Hall, inspiring seminars, wellness events and parties. Unwind, socialize and raise a glass to a healthier and more conscious way of enjoying beverages. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to celebrate the joys of mindful drinking.
Here’s What You Missed:
FRIDAY JANUARY 26TH
5 P.M. A TOAST WITH TÖST (PLAYHAUS)
We celebrate the start of Mindful Drinking Fest by toasting with one of our favorite sparkling teas, Töst. Expect a kickoff toast by Maria Bastasch (co-founder of Mindful Drinking Fest), a DJ, and creative picture opportunities.
6 P.M. MINDFUL BAR TOUR WITH RITUAL ZERO PROOF SPIRITS
Visit some of Washington, D.C.’s (and the world’s) top bars and try incredible non-alcoholic cocktails. Participating bars include Allegory, Service Bar, and Death & Co. Non-alcoholic cocktails will be offered at reduced pricing at the bars from 6-8 p.m. Reservations suggested.
8 P.M. CURIOUS KARAOKE WITH ZERO PROOF NATION, CURIOUS ELIXIRS, AND SAMUEL ADAMS (PLAYHAUS)
Sing your heart out while drinking some of the most curious non-alcoholic drinks and Samuel Adams “Just the Haze.” We have partnered with Zero Proof Nation to bring one of the top KJs in Washington, D.C., Hot Nights Karaoke.
SATURDAY JANUARY 27TH
8 A.M. GENTLE FLOW SUNRISE YOGA WITH FREE SPIRITS (THE MORROW ROOFTOP)
Start your day with a gentle yoga flow that will set you up for a day of tasting, seminars, and fun. Includes a Free Spirits non-alcoholic cocktail.
10 A.M. THE NEW RULES OF MARKETING FOR MINDFUL CREATORS: HOW TO EXTEND YOUR REACH AND ENGAGE YOUR AUDIENCE (DOCK5 – MAIN STAGE)
Presenters: Umarah Mughnee, Joshua James (Ocean Beach Cafe), Sarah Pretorius (SipSteady), Kayla Mason (SipSteady)
The key to quality content is building a solid foundation between your brand identity and target audience. In this general seminar for brands and consumers, we will dive into the intangibles of how to seamlessly integrate your omnichannel marketing strategy and discover the new rules of the industry digital landscape.
10 A.M. – 5 P.M. GRAND TASTING HALL (DOCK5)
Our tasting floor will feature over 40 brands and 120 products to sample. This is the largest gathering of non-alcoholic products in any one event. You will absolutely leave with something you love.
10 A.M. – 5 P.M. BOISSON POP-UP STORE (PLAYHAUS)
Inside of Playhaus, Boisson will have a wall of some of the best non-alcoholic products available. Try something you love on the floor and pick up a bottle for yourself or friends and family.
1 P.M. SUNNYSIDE PRESENTS DRINK HOWEVER YOU LIKE: WHY MINDFUL DRINKING IS ABOUT YOUR CHOICES, NOT OURS (DOCK5 – MAIN STAGE)
Presenters: Nadya Khoja (Sunnyside), Derek Brown (Positive Damage, Inc.), Camille Vidal (La Maison Wellness)
In this general session seminar sponsored by Sunnyside #1 mindful drinking app, mindful drinking experts will discuss what is mindful drinking, some strategies you can use to drink mindfully during Dry January and beyond, and why it matters that it’s your choice.
2 P.M. KEYNOTE SPEAKER: TAWNY LARA, THE SOBER SEXPERT (DOCK5 – MAIN STAGE)
Tawny Lara, also known as The Sober Sexpert, is the author of “Dry Humping: A Guide to Dating, Relating, and Hooking Up Without the Booze,” writes and speaks about alcohol-free sex and dating. Her work is featured in Playboy, Men’s Health, the Huffington Post, and two essay collections: Sex and the Single Woman and The Addiction Diaries. She is the co-host of the Signal Award-winning podcast Recovery Rocks, and story developer for the Webby Award–winning podcast F*cking Sober.
3 P.M. – 4 P.M. DESTINATION BAR: JOSHUA JAMES – SAN FRANCISCO, CA (DOCK5)
Destination Bar will feature the top bartenders in non-alcoholic cocktails. Sponsors include Giesen Non-Alcoholic Wines, Damrak VirgGin, Fluere Non-Alcoholic Distilled Spirits, Pallini Limonzero, Mocktails Uniquely Crafted, Ritual Zero Proof Spirits, Samuel Adams, and Whiteclaw.
4 P.M. – 5 P.M. DESTINATION BAR: CAMILLE VIDAL – LONDON, UK (DOCK5)
Destination Bar will feature the top bartenders in non-alcoholic cocktails. Sponsors include Giesen Non-Alcoholic Wines, Damrak VirgGin, Fluere Non-Alcoholic Distilled Spirits, Pallini Limonzero, Mocktails Uniquely Crafted, Ritual Zero Proof Spirits, Samuel Adams, and Whiteclaw.
6 – 8 P.M. LA COSECHA FOOD HALL TAKEOVER WITH TÖST, GIESEN, OCEANO ZERO, PARCH, AND MOCKTAIL CLUB (LA COSECHA)
Wander through one of D.C.’s most noted food halls, the Latin-American themed La Cosecha, and try non-alcoholic beverage and food pairings at some of the top market spots.
9 P.M. – 3 A.M. DISCO MARY RAVE WITH SEEDLIP, RITUAL ZERO PROOF SPIRITS, AND WHITE CLAW – Free with GA ticket or can be purchased separately
One of the top clubs, Culture, in Washington, D.C. and non-alcoholic party pioneers, Disco Mary, will hold the largest non-alcoholic rave in D.C. with some of the district’s best DJs. Attendees are encouraged to be themselves and express themselves through community and movement. Expect incredible house and hip-hop music as well as non-alcoholic cocktails by Culture featuring Seedlip, Ritual Zero Proof Spirits, and White Claw non-alcoholic seltzers.
SUNDAY JANUARY 28
8 A.M. GENTLE FLOW SUNRISE YOGA WITH GRÜVI (THE MORROW ROOFTOP)
Start your day with a gentle yoga flow that will set you up for a day of tasting, seminars, and fun. Includes Grüvi mimosas.
8:30 – 10 A.M. FOREST BATHING WITH SIERRA NEVADA TRAIL PASS (TBD)
Just a short car ride (or car ride share) away, start your day with a purposeful but gentle hike led by Certified Forest Therapy Guide, Sarah DeWitt, that will set you up for a day of tasting, seminars, and fun.
10 A.M. MOCKTAIL UNIQUELY CRAFTED PRESENTS THE FUTURE OF NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: INNOVATION, ITERATION, AND WHAT COMES NEXT (DOCK5 – MAIN STAGE)
Presenters: Bill Gamelli (Mocktail Uniquely Crafted), Marcos Salazar, (ANBA), Anika Sawni (Grüvi)
In this general session seminar, non-alcoholic product experts will discuss where the market is going and what to expect from non-alcoholic products when we look into the crystal ball.
10 A.M. – 5 P.M. GRAND TASTING HALL (DOCK5)
Our tasting floor will feature over 40 brands and 120 products to sample. This is the largest gathering of non-alcoholic products in any one space. You will absolutely leave with something you love.
10 A.M. – 5 P.M. BOISSON POP-UP STORE (PLAYHAUS) – Open to public
Inside of Playhaus, Boisson will have a wall of some of the best non-alcoholic products available. Try something you love on the floor and pick up a bottle for yourself or friends and family.
1 P.M. LUCAS BOLS PRESENTS MAKING SHOW STOPPING COCKTAILS WITHOUT ALCOHOL: TIPS AND TRICKS OF THE TRADE (DOCK5 – MAIN STAGE)
Presenters: Bjorn Taylor, Judy Elahi, Pamela Wiznitzer
In this general session seminar sponsored by Lucas Bols, cocktail experts Pamela Wiznitzer, Bjorn Taylor, and Judy Elahi will discuss how to make stunning non-alcoholic cocktails using top line ingredients.
2 P.M. KEYNOTE SPEAKER: NICK BODKINS OF BOISSON (DOCK5 – MAIN STAGE)
As founder and president of non-alcoholic spirits retailer Boisson, Nick Bodkins has shepherded the brand to the forefront of the category. In the midst of the Global Pandemic, he and his pregnant wife sought non-alcoholic alternatives to continue the ritual of their post-work drink together. Recognizing a void in the market, the couple imagined a retail space tailored to sophisticated alternatives to alcohol. 43 days after devising the initial concept, Boisson—French for drink—opened its first brick-and-mortar locale in Brooklyn. Fueled by his experience powering marketing campaigns and events for numerous household name brands and uncontainable enthusiasm, he transformed the company from a nascent idea into a consumer favorite with five locations in New York, three in Los Angeles, a booming e-commerce business, and an even brighter future.
3 P.M. – 4 P.M. DESTINATION BAR: PAMELA WIZNITZER – NEW YORK CITY, NY (DOCK5)
Destination Bar will feature the top bartenders in non-alcoholic cocktails. Sponsors include Giesen Non-Alcoholic Wines, Damrak VirgGin, Fluere Non-Alcoholic Distilled Spirits, Pallini Limonzero, Mocktails Uniquely Crafted, Ritual Zero Proof Spirits, Samuel Adams, and Whiteclaw.
4 P.M. – 5 P.M. DESTINATION BAR: BJORN TAYLOR – AUSTIN, TX (DOCK5)
Destination Bar will feature the top bartenders in non-alcoholic cocktails. Sponsors include Giesen Non-Alcoholic Wines, Damrak VirgGin, Fluere Non-Alcoholic Distilled Spirits, Pallini Limonzero, Mocktails Uniquely Crafted, Ritual Zero Proof Spirits, Samuel Adams, and Whiteclaw.
Vendors & Drinks to Check Out:
acknowledge
Integrate/D // Sour Suver Haze // Painted Lady // Forbidden V // Frosted Kush
All the Bitter
Aromatic // New Orleans // Orange
Bare Zero Proof
Bourbon Whiskey // Modern Classic Gin // Reposado Style Tequila
Betty Buzz
Club Soda // Ginger Beer // Meyer Lemon // Sparkling Grapefruit // Sparkling Lemon Lime // Tonic Water
Bite
Anaperitivo // Elderflower & Jasmine Organic Syrup // Rhubarb & Pink Peppercorn Organic Syrup // Passionfruit & Milky Oolong Tea Organic Syrup // Mango & Miso Organic Syrup // Ginger, Lemon & Lime Organic Syrup
Brella Cocktail Drops
Garden Party // Jazz Club
Booze Free in DC
Capital Eagle
Balanced Omission Brewing – Bright Eyed IPA (NA)
Ceder’s
Crisp // Pink Rose
Delmosa
Manufaktur Jörg Geiger WiesenObst Cider // Manufaktur Jörg Geiger Inspiration 4.7 // Manufaktur Jörg Geiger Dzin Bitter // Beskows Cherry & Pear // Raumland Traube Rhabarber // Bergdolt-Reif & Nett Pinot Blanc
Element Shrub
Blueberry Rosemary // Blood Orange Saffron // Chai Pear // Ginger Lime // Honeydew Jalapeño
Everleaf
Forest // Marine // Mountain
Flyers
BKLN Gold // Sydney Spritz // Tokyo Marg
jas
Paloma Libre
jeng
CBD-free Moscow Mule
CBD-free Paloma
Heineken
Heineken 0.0
Leitz
Eins Zwei Zero Blanc de Blancs // Eins Zwei Zero Chardonnay // Eins Zwei Zero Riesling // Eins Zwei Zero Sparkling Blanc de Blancs // Eins Zwei Zero Sparkling Riesling // Zero Point Five Pinot Noir
Lyre’s
Amalfi Spritz // American Malt & Cola // Classico // Dark ‘N Spicy // G & T // Agave Blanco // Italian Orange // Italian Spritz
Monday
Monday Gin
Mixoloshe
Blueberry G&T // Cosmic Bitter Spritz // Mango Chili Crush // Orange Old Fashioned // Southern Pineapple Smash // Tropical Smoky Margarita
Mocktail Club
Bombay Fire // Capri Spritz // Havana Twist // Manhattan Berry
Port City Brewing
Hopwell Hopped Sparkling Water
Ritual Zero Proof
Gin Alternative // Rum Alternative // Tequila Alternative // Whiskey Alternative
Seir Hill
Biscayne // Durangold
Spiritless
Kentucky 74
Thomson & Scott
Noughty Dealcoholized Rouge // Noughty Dealcoholized Sparkling Rosé // Noughty Dealcoholized Sparkling Chardonnay
Two Roads Brewing
NA American IPA // NA Juicy IPA
Umbrella Dry Drinks
Untitled Art
Italian Pils NA // Juicy IPA NA // Mango Dragonfruit Fruited Sour NA
Rockstars:
- DEREK BROWN, Event Director: Derek Brown is an author, NASM-certified wellness coach, and founder of Positive Damage, Inc. Previously, Brown owned Spirited Awards 2017 “Best American Cocktail Bar” Columbia Room in Washington, D.C., and was one of the nation’s top bartenders. Brown published his first book, Spirits, Sugar, Water, Bitters: How the Cocktail Conquered the World in 2019, and was named 2020 “Author of the Year” at the Nightclub & Bar Show Awards. He published his second book, Mindful Mixology: a Comprehensive Guide to No- and Low-Alcohol Cocktails in 2022. Brown has been recognized as a leading beverage figure affecting positive change in the global bar industry by Drinks International in 2020 in their “Bar World 100” list and as “one of the most inspirational people and places that will shape how we drink in 2023” in Imbibe magazine’s “Imbibe 75” for 2023.
- MARIA BASTASCH, Creative Director + Venue Coordinator: Maria Bastasch is the owner of Disco Mary, an experiential pop-up art space located in Union Market D.C. She is also the creative director for the award-winning Drink Company and former director of operations at Maydan and Compass Rose. Bastasch has bean featured in Food & Wine, Washington Post, Thrillist, Eater DC, District Fray, and Vinepair for her unique take on food, beverage, and gathering.
- ABOUT ANBA: The Adult Non-Alcoholic Beverage Association advocates and supports members in creating a world where everyone has access to adult non-alcoholic beverages to enjoy in every social situation. ANBA’s mission is to promote, protect, and grow the adult non-alcoholic beverage industry with a unifying voice that serves its members from production to marketplace.
- MARCOS SALAZAR, CEO ANBA: Marcos Salazar is the CEO of Adult Non-Alcoholic Beverage Association (ANBA) supports its members in creating a world where everyone has access to adult non-alcoholic beverages to enjoy in every social situation. The mission of ANBA is to promote, protect, and grow the adult non-alcoholic beverage industry with a unifying voice that serves its members from production to marketplace. In addition to ANBA, he is the Co-Founder + CEO of Be Social Change, a social impact community providing expert professional development, networking, and coaching to help professionals around the world grow successful social impact careers.
- PAULINE IDOGHO: Pauline Idogho is the Founder/CEO of Mocktail Club, a line of premium crafted ready-to-drink non-alcoholic cocktails inspired by her quest to find sophisticated and better-for-you alternatives to alcohol. Prior to founding the company, Pauline had a 15-year career in investment banking, international development and clean energy finance. Companies she has worked for include the International Finance Corporation (the private arm of the World Bank). She has lived, worked and traveled around Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East, which helped to inspire the rich and sophisticated flavor profiles of the Mocktail Club line. One percent of Mocktail Club’s sales go to support clean water access globally through the organization Water for People. Pauline is a board member for Water for People. Pauline is also the Treasurer and head of the Finance Committee of the Adult Non- Alcoholic Beverage Association (ANBA). Pauline is originally from Nigeria and moved to the UK when she was younger. She holds a Bachelors in Economics from Howard University and MBA in Finance from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.
- ANIKA SAWNI: Anika Sawni, founder of Grüvi and Chief Brand Officer, started Grüvi in 2019 along with her brother Niki Sawni. Today, Grüvi is the only company in North America to offer a multi-award-winning line of non-alc social beverages including beer, wine and sangria. A sought after thought leader in the space, Anika was named to Forbes Top 30 Under 30 List and the company was recently named as EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2023 Finalist. In just under five years, Anika has co-led Grüvi to be one of the fastest-growing non-alcoholic brands in North America, with products available in 4000+ retail outlets and on-line. Credited as trailblazers in the non-alcoholic beverage space, the team at Grüvi continue to challenge the status quo, filling the void of appealing beverage options available for sober curious consumers. It’s Anika’s mission to leverage her experience in branding , community and experiential marketing to create a unique product that helps embrace the joy of celebratory moments by offering bevs that always deliver on taste, variety and are broadly accessible and highly desirable. Anika is proud to be a founding member of the Adult Non-Alcoholic Beverage Association (ANBA). As Chair of Events, she is leading industry events and initiatives geared to unite peer retailers and eager consumers. With a personal commitment to maintaining balance in her personal life, coupled with a more formal background in Neuroscience from her studies at McGill University, she also draws on her own experience with the benefits of changing consumption habits to benefit overall health and well-being.
Website:
Social:
- https://www.instagram.com/mindfuldrinkingfest/
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