Over the past few years, a growing number of people under the age of 35 say they’re losing interest in drinking alcohol.
According to TIME Magazine, the percentage of adults under 35 who report drinking at all has fallen by 10 points over the past 20 years—from 72% in 2001-2003 to 62% in 2021-2023.
No one is sure why this is the case. Some point to rising prices, while others say changing social attitudes could play a role.
That said, if a non-drinker is in a group of drinkers, it can be a little awkward when it comes time to order beverages. This may be why there’s been such a strong mocktail trend in recent years.
TikToker Olivia Boblet (@oliviaboblet) says she doesn’t drink alcohol—but a recent experience with a mocktail order left her shaken and stirred.
What Went Wrong With This Mocktail Order?
According to Boblet in a video with over 396,000 views, she had gone out to dinner with some friends. Upon arriving at the restaurant, she noticed that they had a mocktail menu—something that, as a non-drinker, Boblet says she loves.
“Every time a restaurant has a mocktail, I get really excited because it’s just fun,” she shares. “It’s a fun drink for me without having the alcohol in it.”
While at the restaurant, she ordered a mocktail off the menu. However, Boblet says that the name bore some similarity to an alcoholic cocktail that was on the menu.
Not terribly concerned, Boblet received her drink and took a “big sip.” Immediately, she suspected something was amiss.
“I’m like, ‘Whoo! I’m feeling really warm,’” she recalls. As she continued to drink it, she said that the flavor began to irk her. “This is disgusting. ‘Cause, like, I’m used to my mocktails. They taste like juice … This is, like, the grossest mocktail ever.”
Her Friends Confirm Her Suspicion
Concerned, she asked her friend to check whether the mocktail had something wrong with it. After a single sip, she confirmed the worst: the drink had alcohol.
“I’m not trying to victimize myself,” Boblet says. “This happened to me, and I’m fine. But, like, someone else? That’s really bad. Like, really, really bad.”
A manager then came over. After explaining the situation, the manager was apologetic and comped the group’s meal. The restaurant also brought out her actual mocktail, which was in a glass of an entirely different shape.
“They were great,” she says, not revealing the name of the restaurant. “They did everything right.”
While she questions why she and her friends were not ID’d, she notes that everyone was over the age of 21.
To close, the TikToker reiterates that, while it was “not a huge deal” for her, it could have been bad for others. This is why she says it’s important to “be a double checker” and ask for clarification any time you have suspicions like this.
How Common Is This?
Data about mocktail/cocktail mixups is hard to come by. That said, a quick browse through the internet shows that Boblet’s story is, unfortunately, not particularly unique.
On Reddit, users in recovery have detailed their struggles ordering mocktails and being served a cocktail. One blogger said the experience was so common that ordering mocktails was akin to “playing Russian Roulette with my sobriety.”
In response, some suggest being insistent with the server that you cannot have any alcohol, while others say that a friend can try the drink first to ensure that there is no alcohol present.
@oliviaboblet I sound so dramatic ?
♬ original sound – Olivia Boblet
Commenters Are Concerned
While commenters were thankful that Boblet was not more deeply impacted by the event, many agreed that there could have been more severe consequences.
“It’s a serious issue! My husband is 2.5 years sober, this would CRUSH him,” said a user. “He was a severe alcoholic- 2 times in rehab. Restaurants need to be more responsible.”
“Omg I would have been so upset. I don’t drink either so I completely understand. I used to drink occasionally but I haven’t for a couple of years now. My sister is an alcoholic and I cannot imagine if something like this were to happen,” offered another. “They should have double checked. You’re not dramatic at all.”
Others shared similar stories.
“I’m in AA. Restaurant told me they didn’t have a mocktail list but pick any drink on the menu and they’ll make it alcohol free. I started drinking, I feel weird. I ask them. They say ‘well ya, you order that drink and it has alcohol,’” recounted a user. “WHAT?!?”
“This happened to me last weekend. I order my normal Shirley temple and when I took a huge sip realized it had booze. I haven’t drank in 5 months,” detailed a second. “Manager knows about the mistake and won’t happen again but was a slap in my face. I’ve done so well avoiding it.”
The Mary Sue reached out to Boblet via email.
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