Sober On Purpose
What happens when someone accidentally drinks alcohol: how did this big beverage brand fill their cans with vodka?
This past week news broke that a co-packing facility mistakenly filled Celsius energy drink cans with a vodka seltzer recipe from High Noon. The mislabeled cans were sent to markets and later recalled.
As someone who is sober by choice and as the founder of an alcohol-free beverage brand, my reaction was emotional. Not just because of the operational breakdown, but because of what it signals when something like this gets missed. I have worked with co-packers and have been in these facilities. They rely on automation to an extent but humans are involved at every step. Mistakes like this should never happen but what if you’re one of the consumers who drinks that mislabeled can?
Why Sobriety Is Intentional
For some of us, the choice to avoid alcohol becomes part of our lifestyle and identity, even a matter of life or death. It’s a daily commitment and when broken can have dramatic consequences. Sobriety on Purpose is rooted in empowered choice, intention and daily decisions.
When a person who has chosen sobriety picks up a drink that turns out to contain alcohol, especially when labeled otherwise, that is not a small issue. It is a breach of trust.
A Sip Is Not a Slip
Let’s be clear. An accidental sip is not a slip. What matters most is what you do next.
I recently heard about a woman in her 40s who had never had a drop of alcohol, on purpose. One night at dinner, she was served a cocktail instead of the mocktail she ordered. In moments like that, it is not just about what is in the glass. It is about what happens next. How we respond. How we protect our peace. Even when a situation is out of our control, we still have the power to decide what we do next.
The Moment That Changed Everything
The difference between an accidental sip and reaching for a sip when you know what is in the glass is everything. I faced that kind of choice when I was two years sober, living overseas, and my stepdad died suddenly. As I boarded the flight home for his service, a kind flight attendant guided me to an upgraded seat in first class. She offered me a glass of champagne. The flute was right under my nose. I knew exactly what it was by the look and the smell. I was alone, heartbroken, and could have easily convinced myself that the moment did not matter. That no one would ever know.
But I would have known and the decision to drink the champagne would rippled out to all areas of my life and could have prevented me to getting to where I’m at today. I thought through the drink in that moment and I remembered that I was sober on purpose. I was not a victim of alcoholism. I was given the gift of hitting a bottom that I never wanted to go back to. That drink might have softened the grief, but it would not have healed it.
I told her I did not drink and asked for sparkling water instead. That one decision shaped the rest of my life.
Perfection Is a Myth, But Continuous Sobriety Is Possible
Sobriety does not ask you to be flawless. It asks you to be present. To keep choosing life, even when no one is watching. Think through the drink. “Just one” is a myth.
Every time we keep a boundary with ourself we become stronger, more confident and trustworthy, and our resilience toward others expands.
What To Do If You Accidentally Drink Alcohol
If you are sober on purpose and accidentally consume alcohol, the most important thing to remember is this: you did not fail. The moment you realize what happened, you still have power. Do not turn over your power to the false idea that “it’s all ruined now”.
Here are some ways to move through it with clarity:
Set the drink down. That is the only action you need to take in that moment. You do not owe it anything more.
Tell someone. Share with a sponsor, a trusted friend, or someone who can listen without judgment. Secrets can lead to shame or even another drink.
Tell the staff. Inform the manager. Let them know the drink was incorrect and why it matters. It might help prevent this from happening to someone else.
Be clear about your boundaries. If you are in an unfamiliar or high-risk setting, it helps to say, “I am in recovery” or “I do not drink, ever.” It communicates that this is not a preference, a trend, or a wellness hack. It is a boundary with zero tolerance.
Understand the difference. Some people are avoiding alcohol casually, like someone taking a break from gluten. Being sober on purpose is more like being celiac. You cannot have any alcohol. Not even a trace. That distinction matters. Some people like to think of it as a life threatening allergy.
Keep going. You are still sober. You did not choose to drink. You are still living in alignment with your values.
The Industry Can Do Better
Yes, and we should. Maybe it is time to introduce allergen-style warnings for alcohol. This beverage was produced in a facility that also produces alcohol. Maybe bars can create a visual marker for zero-proof drinks, like a specific color straw or coaster.
It is not about shame. It is about safety. It is about respect.
Until then, I will not drink anything that tastes like alcohol. I am not trying to recreate a ritual I left behind. I am not chasing nostalgia. I am building something new.
Sober on Purpose
I am not sober because I have to be. I am sober because I choose to be. On purpose. Every day.
And no mislabeled can is going to take that away from me.
“Sober on Purpose” is a phrase I have coined to describe a self-directed path of sobriety. This piece establishes its origin in my work and writing. Please cite when referencing.
© Sara Stender Delaney · All rights reserved