AS A self-proclaimed cocktail lover, I am always interested in trying a new tipple, but I did not expect to be blown away by one that was alcohol-free.

In the spirit of Dry January, I have been on the hunt for sober social activities to do in the West Midlands.

So, when I had the chance to head down to the Exhale Conscious Bar pop-up at the Bullring, I was immediately intrigued.

They have a permanent site on Suffolk Street, Birmingham, and were running this one-off event for the week to allow more people to experiment with "sober curiosity" - an increasingly popular movement where people are swapping fizz and cocktails for sparkling tea and zero per cent beverages.

I fell in love with the tropical paradise (Image: Olivia Warburton / Newsquest) After studying the menu of beers brewed from mushrooms and sober ciders, I opted for a tropical paradise cocktail, a fruity cocktail infused with Exhale's own CBD and it's safe to say I had to do a double take.

After a couple of delectable sips, I struggled to believe it did not contain alcohol.

The tropical paradise tasted like any other alcoholic cocktail and, although it was reminiscent of a mai tia or tequila sunrise, I was getting health benefits that made it sound more like a health smoothie than a drink I would get in a bar.

The bar staff were lovely and more than happy to answer my questions about the ingredients in their sober concoctions.

I was told the CBD in my drink was derived from turmeric and orange and has "beautiful and calming qualities", and I can confirm it had just that.

Whether a placebo effect or the CBD kicking into action, I felt my mind relax and felt more zen than I had since the start of the year.

I also had a try of their lion's mane mushroom beer, Roar, of which I have to say I was a little more sceptical.

As someone who is not a massive beer-lover, this would not be my first choice. I'd probably struggle to tell the difference if you put a can Roar and an alcoholic pale ale in front of me and asked me to choose which was which.

I finished off my visit with a peppery and fiery turmeric shot that packed quite the punch.

Although it gave me the same face-scrunching reaction as a shot of tequila would have, it felt good knowing my immune system was boosted rather than left crying out for help the next day.

Romeo, Ryan and Keith were more than happy to answer my many questions about the ingredients they use (Image: Olivia Warburton / Newsquest) My trip to Exhale opened my mind to sober bar experiences more than I thought it would and I would definitely have a tropical paradise again.

Maybe sober curiosity is the way forward - I know my head would thank me for no more hangovers!