What is Zebra Striping? Inside The Drinking Trend Taking the Sober Curious World by Storm

What is zebra striping? Learn all about this new sober curious term. (Photo: Boris Roessler/dpa via AP)

A popular drinking trend has caught on over the past several months, and it’s called zebra striping. Though there are not any actual zebras involved, zebra striping is a fairly commonplace term used for sober curious individuals looking to cut down on their alcohol use. So what is zebra striping?

What is Zebra Striping?

Zebra striping refers to the drinking practice of switching back and forth between booze and zero-proof drinks during a night out. It appears that this drinking practice is gaining traction all over the world. The Guardian reported in November that about a quarter of drinkers who reside in Britain engage in zebra striping.

“Alternating between alcohol-free and alcoholic drinks is an easy structure to follow and helps people define how they are approaching their drinking,” said Luke Boase to Cosmopolitan in November 2024.

Though the term entered the cultural zeitgeist and made media headlines during the winter of 2024, people have been zebra striping for quite a while. Typically, those who partake in this practice alternate their alcoholic drinks with nonalcoholic wines and beers, but feel free to get creative with your zebra striping — any non alcoholic drink is your oyster.

3 Zero-Proof Drinks to Zebra Stripe With Pizzazz

Château Lacoste NOOH Sparkling White Wine

(Photo: Château La Coste/Instagram)

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For those looking for a luxurious booze-free sparkler to add a bit of class to their zebra striping shenanigans, look no further than Château La Coste’s Nooh Sparkling White Wine. This Provençal wine brand features three zero ABV expressions within its portfolio: a still rosé, sparkling rosé and a sparkling white.

Château La Coste named its zero-proof label NOOH as a combination of the word “no” for those looking to abstain from drinking and “OH,” the chemical symbol for the alcohol molecule. This brand extracts the alcohol in the wine via a distinctive vacuum distillation process to not mess with the wine in any way and preserve all of its distinctive aromas.

We were particularly partial to the brand’s sparkling white, which channeled big champagne energy. With its bracing acidity and versatility, this sparkling white wine is guaranteed to pair with any cocktail for zebra striping fun. Wine-Searcher reports an average price of $34 for this sassy sparkler.

Lyre’s Amalfi Spritz

(Photo: Lyre’s/Instagram)

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If you want to be transported on a trip to the Mediterranean for an aperitivo hour between cocktails, Lyre’s Amalfi Spritz will do just that. Lyre’s has been taking the zero-proof world by storm; Drinks International ranked it No. 2 on the 10 Best-Selling Non-Alcoholic Spirit Brands for 2025.

This Australian company has a diverse portfolio that features zero proof versions of bourbon, gin and even absinthe. Critics and consumers alike have fallen in love with Lyre’s Amalfi Spritz because it hits the spot for a booze-free version of the ever-popular Aperol spritz.

With apricot and spice flavors abound, we bet you won’t be able to stop at just one. A case of 24 cans can be purchased directly from Lyres for $89.

Ghia Le Spritz Sumac & Chili

(Photo: Ghia/Instagram)

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Bring some spice to your stripes with Ghia Le Spritz Sumac & Chili. Ghia’s claim to fame is its zero-proof nod to amaro culture and aperitivos. These spritzes aren’t your average sugar bomb; they’re loaded with complicated flavors that range from spicy to tart and sour.

The sumac and chili version of Le Spritz is hot as hot can be and is the perfect zero-proof option for thrill seekers looking to set their taste buds a-tingle. From nose to finish, these spicy little sippers are packed with chili and sumac, adding a sour edge to the sipping experience.

A 12-pack of cans from the brand is priced at $60.