Intentional Drinks with Jill

Imbibe with Intention

How I learned to drink alcohol and still feel good — from a 51-year-old restaurateur and wellness leader. 

We opened our first community-driven bar, restaurant, and music venue in Boulder, Colorado, called Trilogy Wine Bar & Lounge at the ripe age of 24 (we are two of three triplet sisters, and it was an undertaking we did together).

Back then, burning the candle at both ends was part of the job, and we reveled in it. We were open every night until 2 am. We loved bringing people together over local organic food, high vibe cocktails, great live music, and people sharing their unique gifts and SHINE-ing from our stages.

We even had a stint as one of the first award-winning women-owned breweries in the country, Shine Brewery, and started an herbal and energetically charged beverage and cocktail mixer company, Shine Potions.

We would hustle through our wildly popular bottomless-glass-of-wine happy hours through dinner service, and then on to the late-night performances, DJs’ live music, and dancing until the wee hours. Having a glass of wine or a martini (or three) with and after dinner almost felt like part of the uniform. To wake up the next day and do it all over again felt exhilarating.

Fast forward through epic times, incredibly hard work, burnt out, and looking down the pipeline of post-pandemic years, we knew it was time for a change.

It was July 2021 when we shut down the restaurants and beverage companies to break out of the four walls and create a movement—with the same mission but without all the overhead and rules and regulations that, quite frankly, during the "pandemic era," we just didn't agree with.

And now, looking back, I think being peri-menopausal, combined with the fact that I was just not willing to play by rules I didn't agree with, to be all things to all people as the restaurant industry trains us to do, and to work the grueling hours.

So, lo and behold, Shine Living Community was born.

Same mission, different canvas. But getting back to the story of drinking and feeling good: during the later restaurant years, we had become professional drinkers by then…meaning we were well-versed in how to imbibe without feeling bad the next day.

And now, at 51, and through menopause, I feel I have some wisdom to share around how to socially drink and not have it ruin the whole next day with feeling anxious, lethargic, and downright…down. Everything I am sharing is based on my own research and trial-and-error.

Jill’s Tips on Enjoying Drinks Intentionally:

1. Moderation. 1-2 drinks is max and definitely just a few days per week to give your body time to metabolize and fortify.

2. Wine. Red wine doesn’t work for me anymore—the tannins, the histamines, the usually higher alcohol content. So I have leaned into white wine, and sometimes I will even add ice to it to slightly water it down. Also, organic wines make a difference. I have tested it, and organic wines have fewer sulfites, preservatives, and all the nasty shit that gets sprayed on the grapes.

3. Electrolytes in cocktails. Instead of a sugary margarita, I order a Ranch Water with tequila or mezcal (which are my two favorite spirits), fresh lime, and soda water, then add some high-quality no-sugar electrolytes, and bam, a great hydrating, replenishing cocktail. If tequila isn’t your thing, try it with a clear spirit like gin or vodka. TAKE NOTE: Quality matters! Using a high-quality spirit is a must; there is so much added crap in spirits, so look for a reputable brand and remember we vote with our dollars, so if it's a little more expensive but you feel better than the alternative and are supporting a company making great products, it's a win-win.

4. Eat. Fuel yourself with good fats and high-quality proteins, which are the best complements to help your body absorb and the liver properly process alcohol and help your blood sugar stay stabilized. Of course, grains and pastas are fine too, but pay attention to the quality and sugar content of the food. 

5. Hydrate. Be sure to hydrate before, during, and after imbibing. Sometimes I even get halfway through my cocktails and add a little water to keep them lasting longer and keep me feeling better.

6.  Watch the sugar. Sugar is snuck into wine and most cocktails, and it is a killer hangover in the making; this is why I order Ranch Water and organic wines without additives. Even if you say a skinny marg, it will still have a lot of sugar from the triple sec, Grand Marnier, agave, or premade lime juice.  

7. Time is of the essence. Remember: happy hour keeps you happy. Now I have a pre-dinner drink while cooking or hanging with friends, and a drink with dinner, but once dinner ends, so is my drinking, and I turn to tea or maybe a soda water with lime. This gives your body a chance to metabolize the drinks before you go to sleep, so your body is not trying to metabolize during your sleeping hours, which makes for not a great night's sleep.

8. OPTIONAL: Supplementation. If I know I am going out for drinks, I will take some B vitamins and magnesium, as that's some of what gets depleted when we drink alcohol. And if I didn’t have electrolytes in my cocktail, I would definitely have some electrolytes before or after drinking. 

In love and light,

We are Jill & Jessica – the Shine Sisters – your guides to living your shine every day.

With our 40+ years combined experience in certified dance, yoga, reiki and nutrition ~ we are here to build community, empower from within and help you live your best life!