Our article illustrates the importance of authenticity to student non-drinkers. Semi-structured interviews focussing on the lived experiences of five non-drinking students were subjected to interpretative phenomenological analysis. We present four inter-related themes: ‘Retaining authenticity by not drinking’, ‘Tainting the self by drinking alcohol’, ‘Feeling trapped by superimposition and self-exposition’ and ‘Doing what you want to do with your life’. Self-authenticity informed the decision not to drink, became relevant within conversations about non-drinking and underscored issues of choice and agency raised by alcohol consumption. Entrenched assumptions about alcohol’s self-realising utility are challenged in our discussion, and future research recommendations are suggested.