The art of the Sobergasm: Clean Cocktails and Sober Sex

CleanCo teams up with Lovehoney to uncover saucy sober stats

People are no strangers to drunk sex; in fact, according to our survey, 64% of Brits have had sex while intoxicated (Lovehoney/Cint survey, 2,005 respondents, August 2024).

However, only 20% of people ‘always enjoy’ sex while intoxicated, and just 29% of men and 11% of women always orgasm when having drunk sex.

To talk about the connection between alcohol and sexual wellness, CleanCo has teamed up with leading sexual wellness brand Lovehoney, bringing these statistics to life and sharing how you can have great sober sex.

“Alcohol really does affect so much of our lives and relationships, and sex is no exception. It’s been fascinating to see the results of our sober sex study and really delve into the world of sexual wellness, and how it intersects with alcohol. On a personal note, re-balancing my relationship with alcohol opened up a whole new world for me - I’m more motivated to achieve my goals, I’m physically and mentally healthier, I’m more present and engaged in my relationships and, you guessed it, I’m having better sex! Hopefully, this partnership encourages people to open up this festive season, have a real conversation and really reflect on their relationship with alcohol in a way that’s light-hearted and pressure-free,”

CleanCo founder Spencer Matthews.

Key Findings:

• 64% of people in the UK have had sex while intoxicated
• The most likely age group to have done so is 45-54 (75%), while the least likely is 18-24 (49%)
• Of those that have had drunk sex, just 20% ‘always enjoy’ it
• One of the top reasons for preferring sober sex is “appreciating the moment more” (53%) as well as “being more likely to orgasm” (46%)
• Just 29% of men and 11% of women orgasm every time when having drunk sex – compared to 45% of men and 15% of women who orgasm every time ordinarily

Older age groups more likely to drink and grind

It’s no secret that the people love a night out, so it’s unsurprising that 64% of Brits have had drunk sex at some point in their lives, according to our survey.

But there’s an interesting split when you look at the different age groups. Less than half (49%) of 18-24-year-olds have had drunk sex before, compared to the majority of 45-54-year-olds (75%) and 35-44-year-olds (74%).

The truth is, Gen Zs just aren’t drinking as much alcohol as older generations. This sober curious movement is well-documented, and the results of our survey are no different. 18–24-year-olds are the most likely to have never drunk alcohol before (15%). They’re also the least likely to have a drink on a weekly basis (17%). Meanwhile, 24% of 45-54-year-olds drink at least once a week. It’s no wonder young people are having less drunk sex.

The ‘Sobergasm’ chasm: being drunk decreases likelihood of orgasm

The orgasm gap (the difference between the number of men that orgasm during sex vs. the number of women that do) should be ingrained into the public consciousness by now.

We found that there’s a similar orgasm gap between people having drunk sex and those having sober sex.

30% of people orgasm every time during penetrative sex, with 45% of men doing so and 15% of women. In the same survey, we found that only 20% of people orgasm every time during drunk sex; 29% of men and 11% of women.

This means that there’s a 33% orgasm gap between those engaging in sober sex and those engaging in drunk sex, rising to a 36% gap for men, and a 27% gap for women.

Appreciation of the moment and awareness of partner top sober sex sensations

According to the data, just 20% of those that have had sex under the influence of alcohol enjoyed it every time. Hopefully, their sober sex is much more pleasurable!

Curious to know whether sober sex really is better, we asked our respondents to tell us what they like about it. The most popular results were:

• Appreciating the moment more (53%)
• Being more aware of their partner (52%)
• Feeling more in tune with their body (47%)
• Being more likely to orgasm (46%)

Annabelle Knight, Lovehoney sex and relationship journalist, said:

“Drunk sex certainly isn’t a new thing, but it’s still clearly quite common. It’s great to see the younger generation is embracing a more sober-curious lifestyle and engaging in drunk sex less frequently. As the results of the survey suggest, having sex while drunk can inhibit not only your pleasure, but even your ability to orgasm. There is a general disconnect between your brain and the rest of the body when you drink, including your sexual organs. Practicing sober sex means that you can feel more present in the moment and more attuned to your own body’s stimulation but also your partners, leading to an all-round more pleasurable experience.”

CleanCo x Lovehoney: The Sobergasm Cocktail

In order to really amplify the message that you don’t need alcohol to have a fulfilling sexual experience, CleanCo and Lovehoney have joined forces.

We’ve come together to create the 'Sobergasm cocktail’, so that you can enjoy a night of delicious drinking without any of the repercussions of alcohol.

In the words of CleanCo founder, Spencer Matthews:

“The ‘Sobergasm’ cocktail may be one of my favorite Clean Cocktails yet. Seriously, it’s so good. Spicy, sweet, tangy and deliciously fresh. Hot Honey has been popping up everywhere across the global restaurant scene, so I really wanted to see what we could do with it when it comes to making seriously delicious alcohol-free cocktails. It pairs perfectly with our Clean T alcohol-free tequila alternative and is a must-try for anyone who loves a Spicy Marg but wants to ditch the hangover.”

Scroll down to see how to make 'The Sobergasm'.