social splash

The social splash is as a pattern of drinking alcohol that allows for a drink to be purchased, accepted, or carried in social situations –parties, bars, nightclubs, events– even when there is no intention of consuming the entire beverage. It is the covert trick of celebrities to maintain the heights of sociality while also maintaining their health, appearance, and alertness. It's difficult not to drink when everyone else is drinking alcohol, and the social splash allows that fact to go unnoticed

“I thought you gave up alcohol?”; (sotto voce) “It’s just a social splash.”.