DiscoverSupper with Sylvia Perez - Chicago's Foodie PodcastSober Curious in Chicago: Best Non-Alcoholic Wine, Tequila & Adaptogens with In Good Spirits
Sober Curious in Chicago: Best Non-Alcoholic Wine, Tequila & Adaptogens with In Good Spirits

Sober Curious in Chicago: Best Non-Alcoholic Wine, Tequila & Adaptogens with In Good Spirits

Update: 2025-09-25
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Join me, Sylvia Perez, for a special LIVE edition of the Supper With Sylvia podcast at the Metropolitan on the 67th floor of Willis Tower. We’ll enjoy a multi-course wine-pairing dinner by Chef Iván Valdez of Taquizas Valdez while I sit down with sommelier Brooke Webster to talk all things wine, her impact in Chicago, and the stories behind each pour.

An intimate evening of food, wine, and conversation awaits—high above the Chicago skyline.

Get your ticket here:Pours & Podcasts: Wine Dinner with Sylvia Perez

Non-alcoholic is no longer “just grape juice.” The sober-curious movement is exploding—from Dry January to Sober October and everything in between—and Chicago’s In Good Spirits is at the front of it. Founders Adriana Gospar (five years alcohol-free) and Hector Diaz (post-cancer, wellness-first) share how pop-ups turned into a West Town destination for NA wine, beer, “tequila,” gin, bourbon…and functional drinks with adaptogens that help you relax or focus—without the booze.

We dig into:

  • What de-alcoholized wine actually is (and why it costs real-wine prices)
  • How NA spirits shine in cocktails even without ethanol’s “bite”
  • Functional ingredients like ashwagandha, reishi, L-theanine, lion’s mane
  • Their top NA picks for tequila, gin, whiskey-adjacent pours, and beer
  • How Gen Z and “drink-less not none” adults are reshaping nightlife & home rituals
  • Building community: tastings, happy hours, mocktail workshops & a walk club

If you’ve wondered how to feel different—without a hangover, this one’s your perfect starter kit.

Guests:
Adriana Gospar & Hector Diaz—co-founders, In Good Spirits (West Town, Chicago).

Visit In Good Spirits IRL in West Town or explore brands directly online. Tell them Supper with Sylvia sent you!

Suggested chapter markers

00:00 Intro — Dry January → sober-curious momentum
 02:00 Meet Adriana & Hector + origin story
 07:30 Pop-ups to West Town shop: community reaction
 12:10 What is de-alcoholized wine & why the price?
18:40 Functional bevs & adaptogens explained
25:10 NA “tequila,” agave spirits & cocktail use
31:00 Favorite gin & whiskey-adjacent picks
36:10 NA beer that tastes legit (local Chicago recs)
41:20 How to buy if you’re not in Chicago
45:00 What’s next for In Good Spirits + events
48:00 Final advice for the sober-curious

On-air talking points & pull quotes

  • “Think of NA wine as wine that had the alcohol gently removed, not juice.”
  • Cocktails are where

📌Check out SupperwithSylvia on Instagram.
📩Email us at SupperwithSylvia@gmail.com

This episode is brought to you by MARIANO'S.

🛒 Proudly Sponsored by Mariano’s

Looking for local flavor you can bring home? Discover chef-crafted sauces, pastas, oils, and more from your favorite Chicago chefs — now available through Mariano’s We Love Local program. Support local artisans, savor authentic taste, and celebrate Chicago’s culinary spirit with every bite.

👉 Explore Mariano’s We Love Local Products

Social Media Marketing: Magali Blasdell

Video and Audio Editor: Donnie Cutting

Marketing and Media Relations: Julie Lokun

Producer: Jennifer Waters

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Sober Curious in Chicago: Best Non-Alcoholic Wine, Tequila & Adaptogens with In Good Spirits

Sober Curious in Chicago: Best Non-Alcoholic Wine, Tequila & Adaptogens with In Good Spirits

Sylvia Perez