The recent dry January was by far the most popular.
Lots of people are cutting down on drinking, or even quitting altogether. But, until recently, doing so meant switching to soft drinks or boring old water. Worthy alternatives to booze just didn’t exist. But now, there are incredible alcohol-free drinks, including spirits, beers, wines and more. There are also low-alcohol options like 0.5% beers.
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Another new trend is so-called ‘adult soft drinks’. These are slightly more interesting alternatives to classic softs like Diet co*ke or Fanta. Think tonic water but more interesting. There are fiery ginger beers, tangy shrubs, playfully pink rose lemonades, new creations like ‘soft punch’ with flavours like blood orange, and even drinking vinegars (much nicer than they sound).
We were sceptical - as many were - about all these alcohol-free drinks. But, some have impressed us. We’ve gathered our absolute favourites into this list, in the hope of spreading the word about companies that are getting it right. There are some alcohol-free beers, for example, where you can’t actually tell the difference. There are even alcohol-free spirits that will enable you to create seriously classy mocktails for your friends.
We’re not saying drinking is going out of fashion. After all, who doesn’t love an ice-cold pint, a glass of wine or gin and tonic after a long day at work? And when out for the night, the occasional co*cktail can be a real treat. But drinking a little less could do most of us some good health-wise. And what better way to do so than a top-notch alcohol-free alternative. That way, you won’t miss out on the fun, just the hangover.
So, without further ado, here they are. The cream of the crop when it comes to low or no alcohol drinks. We’ve split them into four categories to make things a little easier to find.
Skip to the right section:
- Best non-alcoholic and low alcohol spirits
- Best adult soft drinks
- Best non-alcoholic and low alcohol beer
- Best non-alcoholic and low alcohol wine
Best non-alcoholic and low alcohol spirits
If you have ditched the sauce or simply want to cut back on your intake, you’ll be glad to know that there are a whole host of alternatives out there. Read on for our pick of alcohol-free spirits.
New London Light
What: Olympic medal hopefuls Hannah Mills and Eilidh McIntyre find the likeness to an alcoholic G&T incredible. For us, its herbaceous nose entwined with ginger spice and capsicum pepper introduces a drink that is confident and refreshing, while on the palate it’s linear and precise with a spicy botanical depth. There's a dry but smooth finish.
How much: £27.50
Buy New London Light
Caleno Dark & Spicy
What: The first rum alternative on the list, Caleno Dark & Spicy is a blend of pineapple, coconut, ginger, black cardamom, vanilla, kola nut and lime. Serve with ginger beer and ice.
How much: £18
Buy Caleno Dark & Spicy
Sea Arch Coastal Juniper
What: Packaged in a stylish marine blue bottle, this gin alternative is crisp and refreshing. Serve with tonic as a ‘sea and T’ or mix it up into an alcohol-free co*cktail.
How much: £24.95
Buy Sea Arch Coastal Juniper
Atopia Spiced Citrus
What: Created by Hendrick’s master distiller, Lesley Gracie, this gin-style ultra low alcohol spirit features notes of orange and lemon, alongside angelica root, coriander, juniper and wormwood.
How much: £32.95
Buy Atopia Spiced Citrus
Lyre’s Pink London Spirit
What: An excellent pink gin alternative, Lyre’s Pink London Spirit has a floral palate with notes of summer berries, juniper and rosehip. Perfect with tonic or in a fruity mocktail.
How much: £20.95
Buy Lyre’s Pink London Spirit
Haysmith’s Rhubarb & Ginger Spirit
What: Aldi, having won awards for their extremely affordable gin, have entered the ‘low and no’ game with this rhubarb and ginger concoction. At £7.99 for 70cl, this is by far the best value spirit on here.
How much: £7.99
Buy Haysmith’s Rhubarb & Ginger Spirit
Clean V Spiced Apple
What: Another one from Clean Co. This take on vodka has aromatic touches of apple and cinnamon and is best served over ice with soda and a wedge of lime.
How much: £19
Buy Clean V Spiced Apple
Sipsmith FreeGlider
What: Made with juniper and citrus, this gin sans alcohol is perfect with a light tonic and slice of grapefruit.
How much: £22.45
Buy Sipsmith FreeGlider
Tanqueray Alcohol Free
What: This tasty sip balances four botanicals which give the refreshing, citrusy taste that Tanqueray is famous for - just without the alcohol. Simply serve with your chosen tonic and garnish over ice.
How much: £16
Buy Tanqueray Alcohol Free
Pentire Adrift
What: This peppery botanical spirit is the result of foraging around the headlands near Polzeath – think rock samphire, sage, a lick of fennel and a sprinkling of sea salt. It’s a grown-up drink best served with soda water and orange peel or a light tonic water that balances the drink’s herbaceousness. Garnish with rosemary or a slice of orange peel.
How much: £24.95
Buy Pentire Adrift
Feragaia
What: Feragaia meaning ‘wild earth’ is a deliciously herbaceous, slightly malty and, yes, earthy liquid that is a delicate mix of land and sea botanicals from Scotland – think seaweed, Cayenne pepper, and sweetly oiled lemon verbena. Add in a bit of green tea, some crisp citrus notes and a hint of fruit-forward hibiscus and you’ll be swilling and sniffing it like a whisky or fine wine.
How much: £23.94
Buy Feragaia
Gordon’s Alcohol-Free
What: Boasting the classic piney juniper lead character of Gordon’s gin, but minus the alcohol content, this sip makes a great base for mocktails, but also works when simply mixed with tonic.
How much: £14
Buy Gordon’s Alcohol Free
Clean G
What: Former Made In Chelsea party boy Spencer Matthews isn’t the first person that comes to mind when you think of going teetotal, but he in fact ditched the booze a few years back and created his own non-alcoholic drinks line - Clean G is a botanical sip with less than 0.5% ABV.
How much: £19
Buy Clean G
Everleaf Mountain
What: This non-alcoholic aperitif features a blend of 12 sustainably sourced botanicals including rosehip, strawberry and cherry blossom. It makes for a great alternative to pink gin and can be used on its own or as a base for mocktails.
How much: £19.95
Buy Everleaf Mountain
Lyre’s Italian Spritz
What: This bittersweet non-alcoholic spritz, with its notes of rhubarb, orange and mixed herbs, makes a great base for a whole number of refreshing mocktails, but it also works when paired simply with soda or tonic water.
How much: £22.95
Buy Lyre’s Italian Spritz
Clean G Pink
What: Pink gin is wildly popular these days and now teetotallers can get in on the action. This no-alcohol sip boasts fruity strawberry and raspberry notes, so is ideal for mixing with tonics and lemonades. It’s sugar-free and vegan too.
How much: £19
Buy Clean G Pink
Everleaf Forest
What: We love the attractive packaging of this non-alcoholic aperitif almost as much as we love its bittersweet character: flavoured with botanicals such as vanilla, gentian and liquorice. Best when mixed with soda or tonic water.
How much: £19.95
Buy Everleaf Forest
Everleaf Marine
What: This crisp and refreshing drink boasts notes of pineapple, umami and salty sea breezes. It can be used as a base for mocktails, but the flavour of Marine is distinct enough to enjoy on its own too.
How much: £19.95
Buy Everleaf Marine
Best adult soft drinks
Staying sober doesn't have to mean settling for Diet co*ke and 7Up. These days, there are plenty of premium adult soft drinks on the market which feel special enough for parties and other social occasions.
Crodino 1965 Aperitivo
What: Perfect for a pre-dinner drink in the sun, Crodino hails from Crodo in Italy, and has been made there since the sixties. Pour over ice and serve with a wedge of orange - bellissimo.
How much: £5.95
Buy Crodino 1965 Aperitivo
Punchy
What: These trendy cans are more than just a pretty face, they taste great too. Branded as a soft punch, it comes in blood orange, bitters and cardamom; cucumber, yuzu and rosemary; or peach, ginger and chai.
How much: £12.12 for six cans
Buy Punchy
Bundaberg Ginger Beer
What: Made from locally grown ginger and sugarcane, this is the best ginger beer around in our humble opinion. Pour over ice and add a wedge of lime for a virgin mule.
How much: £4.75 for a four-pack
Buy Bundaberg Ginger Beer
Real Kombucha Royal Flush
What: If you’re looking for a grown-up soft drink, look no further than Real Kombucha’s Royal Flush. This sip is gluten-free, alcohol-free, low sugar and vegan-friendly, but what it lacks in nasties, it more than makes up for in flavour - why not try it for yourself and see?
How much: £8
Buy Real Kombucha Royal Flush
Fentimans Rose Lemonade
What: If you’re not looking for a great pretender, but rather a sophisticated soft drink to sip on, check out Fentimans Rose Lemonade. Made with real lemons and pure rose oil sourced in Bulgaria, it’s a light and refreshing sip that will remind you of hot summer afternoons.
How much: £2.95
Buy Fentimans Rose Lemonade
Best non-alcoholic and low alcohol beer
Alcohol-free beers were once avoided at all costs, but there is now a new wave of low and no alcohol beers that are taking the teetotal community by storm. Check out our favourite non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beers.
San Miguel 0.0%
What: Proving that no alcohol doesn’t have to mean no flavour, this alcohol-free version of San Miguel’s popular beers is golden in colour and boasts floral and herbal notes. A great alternative for any designated drivers at the pub.
How much: £3.00 for a pack of four
Buy San Miguel 0.0%
Adnam’s Ghost Ship 0.5%
What: One of the lesser-known brands with a low-alcohol option is Adnam’s. Its Ghost Ship beer has a malty, biscuity smell, while the flavour features notes of citrus and grass. It’s a great alternative to a regular beer and cheap as chips.
How much: £1.30 per bottle
Buy Adnam’s Ghost Ship 0.5%
Big Drop Brewing Co Galactic Milk Stout
What: We know what you’re thinking - an alcohol-free beer with a silly name and loud packaging? Surely this is a case of all style and no substance? You’d be wrong though as this delicious, rich and indulgent beer from Big Drop Brewing Co. is seriously impressive stuff.
How much: £1.55
Buy Big Drop Brewing Co Galactic Milk Stout
Brewdog Nanny State
What: You can always count on controversy courting Brewdog to come up with a fun name for its beers. Nanny State’s snarky moniker is backed up though, by a beer that’s malty, bitter and brimming with hoppy flavour.
How much: £4.00 for a pack of four
Buy Brewdog Nanny State
Adnam’s Wild Wave 0.5%
What: If you’re looking to cut down on alcohol, rather than cut it out complete, low alcohol beers are a great shout. At just 0.5% abv, Wild Wave is a suitable alternative and feels distinctly British too, with its light and refreshing crunchy apple flavour.
How much: £1.30
Buy Adnam’s Wild Wave 0.5%
Beavertown Lazer Crush 0.3%
What: In a stroke of genius, the Beavertown brewers have managed to find a strain of yeast that fully ferments without producing alcohol. It even adds a hit of peach, rounding out the flavour profile.
How much: £1.60
Buy Beavertown Lazer Crush 0.3%
Best non-alcoholic and low alcohol wine
Wines and fizz are the go-to drinks when it comes to social celebrations, so what happens when the non-drinkers in the group want something a little more special than a Diet co*ke? Allow us to introduce you to some of our favourite non-alcoholic and low alcohol wines.
Saicho Sparkling Tea
What: For some occasions, only bubbles will do. If you’re not drinking it can be tempting to plump for a bottle of non-alcoholic Prosecco, but what if we told you there was something altogether more exciting? Saicho makes sparkling no-alcohol teas which take the place of Prosecco beautifully. The team behind the brand is headed up by Matthias Lattaile, an award-winning mixologist and industry expert well-used to working with Champagne houses. So, he knows a good serve when he sees one. You serve this chilled, in a champagne glass, just like the real thing and there’s a true sense of occasion when you crack a bottle open with that signature hiss of bubbles. We loved the floral notes and gentle acidity these brought, and thought they made an exciting alternative to the usual supermarket options without falling into the sugary pitfal that many others fave. There are three flavours to choose from – jasmine, Darjeeling and hojicha – and each bring a unique and complex profile which work equally as well as an aperitif or paired with food.
How much: £49.99 for three bottles
Buy Saicho Sparkling Tea
Fortnum’s Rose Sparkling Tea
What: Best served chilled, this 0% ABV sparkling tea makes a fun alternative to bubbles, boasting a pale pink hue, crisp taste and flavours of tropical fruits along with cranberry and hints of ginger. Sort of like a sophisticated, grown-up version of Shloer.
How much: £17.95
Buy the Fortnum’s Rose Sparkling Tea
Eisberg Sauvignon Blanc Alcohol-Free White Wine
What: Fresh and aromatic, this alcohol-free white wine from Eisberg is teeming with gooseberry and tropical fruit flavours. Wine without the inevitable wine hangover? Sign us up.
How much: £3.00
Buy the Eisberg Sauvignon Blanc Alcohol-Free White Wine
La Gioiosa Alcohol-Free 0% Sparkling
What: An alternative to sparkling wine, this light and sweet sip reveals notes of apple, white grape and elderflower. It makes a great base for co*cktails and at just £5 a bottle, is great value too.
How much: £5
Buy La Gioiosa Alcohol Free 0% Sparkling
Nozeco
What: Gimmicky name aside, we think you’ll be impressed by Nozeco. Pale yellow in colour, it features intensely fruity notes and just the right amount of fizz. A great alternative for a sober party - mix with fresh orange juice to make first-rate Mimosas.
How much: £3.75
Buy Nozeco
Freixenet 0.0% Sparkling Rose Alcohol-Free
What: Customers rave about this alcohol-free rose from Freixenet, which is both good value and delicious. It’s definitely one for those who prefer sweeter drinks, but makes for a perfectly adequate alternative to Prosecco and doesn’t need to be paired with anything else to be enjoyable.
How much: £4.50
Buy Freixenet 0.0% Sparkling Rose Alcohol-Free
Thomas & Scott Noughty Chardonnay
What: Award-winning, this tipple offers a crisp flavour and a touch of sweetness. It's perfect for sipping through dry Jan or as an enjoyable way to cut down on alcohol over the course of the rest of the year.
How much: £8.99
Buy Thomas & Scott Noughty Chardonnay
If you prefer socialising outside of the house, check out these bars in London that do great alcohol-free options. If you're planning a bash this year, with or without alcohol, it's probably best you read this list of the best summer party venues in London.
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