Tips for Drinking Responsibly

Responsibility and accountability matter. Planning ahead and being an educated consumer are important in making decisions that benefit enjoyment and safety. Gathering with friends and family should be a fun way to socialize, celebrate, relax, and connect. Making mindful choices takes just a moment, and embracing alcohol responsibility should be part of your regular practice of reflecting on your relationship with alcohol.

We have curated some responsible drinking guidelines for you to consider. Please remember that drinking under the age of 21 is illegal, as is selling, supplying, or serving alcohol to those below the drinking age.

Think Ahead

Success starts with a plan. It’s a no-brainer to coordinate a time and place. You always confirm with your friend, colleague, or group. You make sure plan your outfit and check the weather. With these plans in place, you also need to make sure that you plan ahead to drink responsibly. Decide in advance to make good choices. Share that decision with your group so that there is more accountability.

Use the Virtual Bar App

Before your first sip, learn more about how alcohol may affect your blood alcohol content (BAC). Know your limits and the factors that affect how alcohol will make you feel and act. The Virtual Bar app will help you better understand this process to ensure a good time (and a responsible one).

The Virtual Bar—when used before you start drinking—allows you to customize your drinking experiences to safely learn how alcohol may affect you. It takes unique factors including your gender assigned at birth, weight, height, and the food you eat to educate you about how alcohol may affect your behavior and impairment. It also gives you a sense of how long it would take for your BAC to return to 0.00, which may be surprising.

The Virtual Bar will tell you how you might actually be feeling at different BAC levels to help you relate to and better understand the differences between BAC levels. 

Access the Virtual Bar

Plan Your Mode of Safe Transportation

Drinking responsibly also includes good communication with friends and family about where you’ll be and how you’ll be getting there. Be sure to share your plans and always review your transportation options in advance. From public transportation to ride sharing services, there is no excuse for ever getting behind the wheel while impaired or getting into a vehicle with a driver who is impaired.

There are numerous options for ensuring a safe and responsible trip home. If you’re in a group, consider designating a driver or volunteering to be the designated driver. Other options include utilizing public transportation, which can be a fun and affordable way to get around, or relying on a taxi or rideshare service.

Eat Food and Stay Hydrated

It’s crucial to eat regular meals! Eating before and while you are enjoying an alcohol beverage can reduce your peak BAC by as much as 35-40%.

During the event, remember to alternate your alcohol beverage with water or another alcohol-free drink. This hydration break will give the body time to absorb and process your food and beverages of choice.

BONUS Info:

Know what a standard drink is.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, a standard drink contains 14 grams (or 0.6 fluid ounces) of pure (ethanol) alcohol. This is equivalent to:

12oz beer at
5% ABV 
5oz wine at
12% ABV 
1.5oz distilled spirits (80 proof) at 40% ABV
12oz ready-to-drink beverages at
5% ABV

Check out our guide to learn more about how your body responds to each standard drink and the time it takes to return to a BAC of 0.0.

Remember that all drinks are served in varying amounts, using varying recipes. In addition, there are some wines, beers, or distilled spirits that have a different ABV than listed above. Awareness is key to being responsible.