Alcohol-Free Drinks, Alcohol and Religion
Many people around the world do not drink alcohol due to their religious beliefs. So the rise of alcohol-free drinks definitely presents potential opportunities in large parts of the world.
But which religions forbid drinking alcohol? Are alcohol-free drinks permissible? What better day than World Religion day, to explore some of the different religious views on alcohol found throughout the world?
Which Popular Religions Forbid Drinking Alcohol?
Before we start it is important to note that every culture and individual practise their religion slightly differently. That means that whilst there are guidelines to each religion, some people might interpret these differently, and so there is a definite range of practices in just one religion.
Islam
Islam is probably the religion most known for not allowing alcohol. In most forms of Islam alcohol is Haram. Haram means it is forbidden.
Why is alcohol forbidden? The Qu'ran directly forbids individuals from harming themselves. In particular, people must not ingest poison. Alcohol is an intoxicant or poison and so you may not ingest it.
Christianity
Many forms of Christianity allow and even include alcohol in their religious practices. However, denominations such as Methodists, Baptists, Evangelicals, Pentecostals and other more Protestant groups such as The Salvation Army, do not allow drinking.
Drinking is not allowed because as a Christian you have to care for the body you have been given. It is also because Christians acknowledge that drinking alcohol can blur moral discretion.
Buddhism
Whilst in Buddhism there is not a set of strict rules, Buddha recommended that people avoid intoxication, and therefore alcohol.
In fact, Buddhists believe that drinking goes against one of the five precepts which states that we should abstain from intoxication.
We are already intoxicated enough with all of our material possessions, friends, family etc, therefore we should not drink alcohol.
The idea is that the path to mindfulness cannot include alcohol because it distracts us and blurs our vision.
Hinduism
There is no central authority that all Hindus follow. However, many different denominations of Hinduism frown upon alcohol.
In many central Hindu texts, they show that alcohol is a bad influence on one’s physical and spiritual health. It is therefore more often than not forbidden. However, as with all religions, in more liberal areas people will tend to drink more alcohol.
Judaism
Judaism has more complex practices around alcohol. Wine plays a role in a lot of important Jewish traditions such as Shabbat, the wedding ceremony and the Passover Seder.
However, throughout the Torah, there are warnings about the danger of intoxication. So Jews may drink, but only in moderation.
Are Alcohol-Free Drinks Allowed?
Alcohol-free drinks present a large opportunity for people who do not drink due to religion. However, some religions have mixed opinions about alcohol-free drinks. Alcohol-free drinks are also not always completely free from alcohol.
Legally a drink is alcohol-free if it contains less than 0.5% alcohol. This is roughly the same amount of alcohol as in a ripe banana.
Whilst some alcohol-free drinks are completely free from alcohol, some are not. So if you do avoid alcohol due to religion it is always important to check the specific drink that you want to try.
On top of this, some alcohol-free drink makers use alcohol in the production process. They distill the alcohol out of the drink before selling it. This process stops an alcohol-free drink from being certified Halal. So again, if you are unsure about an alcohol-free drink make sure to check the production process.
That being said, there is still a huge range of alcohol-free drinks available to non-drinkers. These can allow previous non-drinkers to enjoy a new range of drinks with sophisticated and nuanced flavours.
The Growth of Alcohol-Free Drinks
In many regions where alcohol is more widely frowned upon or forbidden, such as much of the Middle East, the alcohol-free drink market is booming. And that is because it provides a new type of drink to previous non-drinkers.
It's no coincidence that in 2019, Saudi Arabia was recorded to have the sixth-largest global market for alcohol-free beer consumption.
Are Any Alcohol-Free Drinks Halal Certified?
Some Muslims feel like alcohol-free drinks, whether they contain small amounts of alcohol or not, are still not acceptable because they mimic something that is Haram. In response to this in November 2015, a fatwa (non-binding legal opinion on a point of Islamic law) was passed which basically permits the consumption of low-alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages that contain 0.5% or less. But this still splits opinions.
An increasing number of companies in the alcohol-free drink sector are looking to get Halal certification, and some already have Halal certification. Looking for this is one way that you can be sure that a drink does not contain alcohol and has not been made using alcohol.
Try JOMO For a Selection of Alcohol-Free Drinks!
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A range of mixers, garnishes and cocktail recipes
Mindfully selected snacks to pair with your mocktail
Several ready-to-drink cans or bottles
A magazine with all things alcohol-free.
All our spirits are 100% alcohol-free, but on the odd occasion, some of the mixers might have 0.5% alcohol in them. However, if it is something you wish to avoid please just leave a note when you sign up for the subscription.
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