[Podcast] Episode 3: No and Low-Alcohol Mixology with Derek Brown

By Ian Andersen Updated 10/8/2026 2 min read

In this conversation, Derek Brown shares his journey from being a bartender to becoming a mindful drinker.

He discusses his personal experiences with alcohol use disorder and the decision to seek help and make positive changes in his life. Derek explains the concept of mindful drinking and how it can be a beneficial approach for individuals who want to reduce or quit drinking. He also provides insights into creating no and low alcohol cocktails, emphasizing the importance of intensity of flavor, piquancy, texture, and length in crafting these beverages.

The conversation highlights the growing trend of mindful drinking in the industry and the availability of non-alcoholic options for socializing and enjoying drinks without alcohol. The conversation explores the topics of controlling alcohol consumption, the availability of non-alcoholic options in bars and restaurants, the future of bars, and functional ingredients. Derek Brown emphasizes the importance of having control over one’s drinking habits and how mindful drinking and apps can help. He also discusses the growing demand for non-alcoholic beverages and the need for bars and restaurants to offer options for those who don’t drink alcohol.

The conversation concludes with a discussion on the future of bars and the potential inclusion of functional ingredients.

Listen on your favorite podcast platform

View all streaming options here.

Key takeaways

  • Having control over one’s drinking habits is essential, and mindful drinking and apps can help in achieving that.
  • Bars and restaurants should expand their menus to include non-alcoholic options to cater to the growing demand.
  • The future of bars is likely to include a variety of mood-altering options, such as infused psilocybin or cannabis.
  • Bars are constantly evolving, and the inclusion of non-alcoholic options and functional ingredients is part of that evolution.

This article written by Ian Andersen

Sunnyside Co-Founder, writing about alcohol health, naltrexone, and mindful drinking since 2020

Ian has a family deeply hurt by alcohol, and is on his own personal journey to drink less and live his healthiest life. He’s took naltrexone daily for two years and saw incredible results. As Sunnyside Med’s first customer, he’s deeply entrenched in alcohol health and naltrexone.

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