Is the British drinking culture changing and what does that mean for sober summer socialising? In this episode, host Anna Donaghey sits down with Chris Cardone: US World Class Bartender, award-winning mixologist, and ten years sober. Chris lifts the lid on a radical rethink in hospitality and what it means to create proper, delicious, inclusive drinks experiences whether or not alcohol is involved. Listen to learn more about the world of mixology, making bars inclusive spaces for everyone and to get some summer non-alcoholic drinks inspiration! Highlights: 00:00 Introduction 02:12 Chris’s journey from “Cocktail” VHS inspiration to dive bars and world-class competitions 05:56 Why Chris chose sobriety in the most alcoholic industry on earth 10:52 How drinking expectations in hospitality shaped (and challenged) his identity 13:30 Pushback, social media backlash, and why Chris almost left the bar world for good 15:57 You don’t need to drink to be a world-class mixologist 16:53 It’s not about taking sides, but creating inclusive experiences for all 20:09 How venues can support every guest, whatever they are drinking 28:10 How bar design, music and even lighting shape what we drink 36:04 Why connection should be the heart of social spaces 46:34 Chris’s favourite summer drinks and tips for experimenting at home 🏆Please vote for The Big Drink Rethink in the ITV bCreator Awards 2025 1. Click on the link below 2. Pop in your email 3. Select I’M A SUBSCRIBER / FOLLOWER 4. Select CREATOR SHORTLIST 5. Hit SUBMIT YOUR VOTE 6. Scroll down to the Podcast bCreator category and vote for THE BIG DRINK RETHINK Here’s the link: 🔗 https://www.bcreator.co.uk/awards/ 🔗 Get the free resources from: https://www.thebeliefscoach.com If you’re a mum wanting to explore your relationship with alcohol, join ‘Mummy Doesn’t Need Wine’ here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mummydoesntneedwine Anna’s group coaching community ‘Unstuck!’ helps identify your alcohol ‘stories’ and beliefs, breaking the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link : Unstuck! community information To further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna’s self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experiment And apply the code POD99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listener If you’re loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethink About the host Anna: Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great...
