Hey there, Abbie here, co-founder and CEO of Raising the Bar!
As we head into peak holiday season, I can't help but reflect on how Raising the Bar started as a simple idea nearly eight years ago and has grown into something we now get to experience, enjoy, and celebrate together, month after month.
When I decided to stop drinking, it was right in the midst of the holiday season, a time when so much of the social experience revolves around wine glasses being replenished and cocktails fueling long, meaningful conversations and late nights.
I knew things were going to feel different, but I was ready to commit to this journey I'd chosen for myself. Still, as someone who loves hosting, coming up with unique recipes, and making thoughtful drinks for others, I felt some serious FOMO. And honestly, tonic and lime just didn't quite cut it for me.
I remember looking online on our way to a Christmas party, hoping to find something that made exploring non-alcoholic options feel a little less intimidating. I wanted something that felt like an experience to be shared, rather than simply picking out a drink and not knowing where to go from there. I quickly realized there wasn't really anything out there that offered what I was looking for.
And that's what sparked the idea for Raising the Bar.
Fast forward more than six years from when we first launched, and here we are, getting to share that same joy of discovery with so many of you along the way. We've curated close to 100 unique zero-proof cocktail boxes, had the chance to discover and work with so many amazing small businesses, built up quite the collection of non-alcoholic recipes, and, most importantly, grown a community we love connecting with - one that constantly reminds us what this is all about.
Discovery, creativity, connection, and gathering are all so special and so needed. And while none of those things require a cocktail, a beautiful creation in a glass can make the moment feel a little more special. Even without the alcohol, we deserve cute drinks too! Drinks that are thoughtfully made, that we take a little extra time to create, and that we're excited to share with the people we love.
I'm incredibly thankful that I get to keep doing this and sharing it all with you.
And if any of this speaks to you, I think you're going to love our November box, Everything Nice (check it out here!). It's a curation inspired by everything we've created together here at Raising the Bar, an excuse to make our celebrations a little extra, and a reminder that we all deserve to enjoy a really good drink, whatever our circumstances may be.
Cheers to ending 2026 strong, and to another year of beautiful non-alcoholic creations we can all raise a glass to together!
