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The Spruce Eats / Lecia Landis
Our top marks go to Ghia Non-Alcoholic Apéritif (view at Amazon), a thoughtful and intriguing alcohol-free spin on a classic aperitivo template that's sure to fascinate cocktail lovers. But if you're a wine fan craving a low-calorie, zero-proof beverage reminiscent of rosé, check out the Gruvi Non-Alcoholic Bubbly Rosé (view at Amazon).
Once upon a time, nonalcoholic drinks were relatively boring. If you were skipping the booze, you were stuck sipping sugary mocktails, saccharine sodas, or simply water. Thanks to a fantastic range of new nonalcoholic drinks producers, going dry has never been more exciting. Now, there are alcohol-free proseccos, hemp-infused drinks, and upscale sodas made from artisanal grapes.
Whether you’re sober or sober-curious, there are many benefits to stocking your home bar with no-proof options. In the NA world, there’s something for everyone: bottles for cocktail lovers, booze-free bubbly for mimosa fans, and zero-proof botanical spirits for those who like to sip.
Here are the best nonalcoholic drinks.
Best Overall
Ghia Non-Alcoholic Apéritif
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Courtesy of Farmshop
“Ghia is one of those products I think will become a bartender staple for nonalcoholic drinks,” says Derek Brown, spirits expert and the owner of D.C.’s The Columbia Room. The spirit-free aperitif is made with natural juice from the riesling grape and a selection of herbs, extracts, and botanicals. It’s one of the most complex nonalcoholic drinks on the market with layered, nuanced flavors of gentian root, yuzu juice, fig concentrate, elderflower, orange peel, ginger, and rosemary.
This spirit-free drink is inspired by Mediterranean dinners. Sip it after supper, preferably with a seaside sunset—if only on your TV. The storied, thoughtfully designed bottle will sit pretty on your home bar.
Price at time of publish: $38
Capacity: 18.1 oz. | Calories per Serving: 15 | Flavors: Gentian root, Fig, Orange peel
Best Mocktail
Little Saints Plant Magic Mocktail
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Foxtrot Co.
Skip the hangover and enrich your mind-body wellness with Little Saints plant magic mocktails. These nonalcoholic elixirs in a can are truly magical: They are not only sugar-free and mood-lifting, but made with a restorative blend of CBD, botanical terpenes, and natural adaptogens. Plus, these beverages replicate the flavors of beloved cocktails, including the spicy margarita, paloma, ginger mule, and mimosa.
Created by former environmental lawyer Megan Klein, Little Saints is the first and only mocktail on the market to combine CBD and reishi mushroom extract. The result is calm in a can, with uplifting and mood-enhancing benefits that won't have you missing alcohol. Try any four of the refreshing tonics for a sensory experience to elevate your wellbeing and still feel that happy buzz.
Price at time of publish: $5
Capacity: 8 oz. | Calories per Serving: 5 | Flavors: Spicy margarita, Negroni spritz, Paloma, Ginger mule
Best Spirit
Fluère Non-Alcoholic Distilled Spirit
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Courtesy of Amazon
Crafted in the Netherlands, Fluère replicates the world’s most storied alcoholic spirits, from gin and whiskey to a smoky mezcal. By mimicking the distilling techniques of spirits makers, the company is able to create a drink that tastes just like a real spirit; if you’re a cocktail fan looking for a nonalcoholic beverage, this option is for you.
Fluère’s original flavor is an excellent alternative to gin or vodka, with elegant notes of juniper and lime peel. Try it poured with tonic water and a squeeze of citrus.
"The floral blend of botanicals is gentle and easy to approach," says Domenico Di Bucchianico, formerly of the Ritz Hotel London and creator of the cocktail blog and learning platform Dedycated. "It opens up with ginger, black pepper, and a bit of chili, leading to a long and persistent aftertaste of botanicals that are typical of gin."
Price at Time of Publish: $30
Capacity: 23.7 oz. | Calories per Serving: 1.2 | Flavors: Coriander, Lime, Lavender, Juniper
Best Soda
DRY Non-Alcoholic Botanical Bubbly Sparkling Water
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Courtesy of Amazon
DRY Non-Alcoholic Botanical Sparkling Water is specifically crafted with the non-drinker in mind. The canned mocktail company highlights botanicals and flavors to create playful canned mixers, each made with just four simple ingredients, including cane sugar to sweeten. There are nine different flavors, such as cooling cucumber, tart Rainier cherry, vanilla, juniper berry, lavender, and more. All have a light, refreshing taste.
If you do plan on drinking, these drinks make great mixers, too. Simply add your favorite spirit—the cucumber flavor pairs well with gin, and the ginger option is great with whiskey. Keeping these on hand at home will please both drinkers and non-partakers.
Price at time of publish: $43
Capacity: 12 oz. | Calories per Serving: 45‐70 | Flavors: Cucumber, Rainier cherry, Vanilla, Juniper berry, Lavender
Best Wine Substitute
Gruvi Non-Alcoholic Bubbly Rosé
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Courtesy of Amazon
Even rosé season can shift to sober, thanks to this Canadian line of booze-free bubbles. Gruvi first released an excellent Prosecco riff a few years back, but this take on our favorite blush wine is particularly exciting. The semi-dry sparkling rosé is delicious sipped alone or mixed in a spritz with fresh juice. Think of it as the love child of rosé and soda. It has bright, effervescent bubbles packed in single-serving bottles, compact enough to haul to parks or elsewhere on the go. One 10-ounce bottle can be poured into two Champagne flutes and contains 0 percent alcohol with just 60 calories.
Gruvi really shines as an alternative to celebratory beverages. Toast to a new year or pour it in orange juice to keep your brunch mimosa tradition without the buzz. You can even squeeze in lemon juice with a few bitters for a nonalcoholic version of a French 75.
Price at time of publish: $37
Capacity: 10 oz. | Calories per Serving: 60 | Flavors: Green apple, Strawberry
Best Zero-Calorie
Optimist Botanicals Fresh Non-Alcoholic Distilled Spirit
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Courtesy of The Zero Proof
These days, those of us who are choosing to abstain from alcohol have many more options at our disposal than that boring old glass of club soda that previous generations of non-drinkers would resign themselves to in social settings. There was one distinct advantage to that simple glass of seltzer, though: no calories! Sure, there are plenty of great NA options for today's abstainers to enjoy, but why do so many of them have nearly as many calories as a light beer?
Optimist Botanicals is a maker of artisinal non-alcoholic spirits based in Los Angeles, and they're one of the few producers offering a lineup of interesting and unique NA spirits that are calorie-free. While their "Smokey" bottling is reminiscent of the campfire notes in mezcal, and their "Bright" offering emulates citrus-flavored vodka, their "Fresh" label might be the most versatile for mixing. Boasting many of the same botanical notes as your favorite gin, "Fresh" plays well in a Gimlet or a Gin Fizz—but the true health-conscious hack would be to grab a zero-calorie tonic water and fix yourself the first G&T you've ever had with no calories in it. Ah, what a time to be alive.
Price at Time of Publish: $35
Capacity: 16.9 oz. | Calories per Serving: 0 | Flavors: Juniper, Cilantro, Lime Peel
Best CBD
Recess Infused Sparkling Water Variety Pack
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Courtesy of Amazon
This CBD-infused sparkling water from Recess aims to uplift and refocus without overhyping your body. Plus, the matte pastel cans are incredibly chic. The line of artisanal sparkling water contains hemp and adaptogens, and each one is made with organic ingredients. We think it makes a great alternative to sweet sodas or midday coffees.
Currently, Recess offers six adaptogen-infused flavors, including blood orange, coconut lime, pomegranate hibiscus, blackberry chai, peach ginger, and black cherry. Each 12-ounce can contains about 30 calories, 4 to 6 grams of carbs, and less than 6 grams of sugar. One can contains 10 milligrams of cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive cannabis compound.
Price at time of publish: $60
Capacity: 12 oz. | Calories per Serving: 30 | Flavors: Blood orange, Coconut lime, Pomegranate hibiscus, Blackberry chai, Peach ginger, Black cherry
Best for Picnics
De Soi Non-Alcoholic Apéritif Can Variety Pack Bundle
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Boisson
There's nothing like a little al fresco imbibing—and the mere fact that you're taking a break from the booze doesn't mean that you need to miss out on the fun. De Soi is a line of bubbly aperitivo-themed ready-to-drink beverages offered in convenient 8 oz. cans. Crafted using natural adaptogens (the team cites reishi mushroom and ashwagandha as two of the main ingredients), as well as other recognizable ingredients such as pear juice and bergamot extract, these tasty sippers would make for the perfect pairing with an afternoon in the park.
De Soi non-alcoholic aperitifs come in three different flavors—Golden Hour, Champignon Dreams, and Purple Lune—so they're sure to satisfy the various tastes of all your assorted picnickers. The flavors are crafted by Morgan McLachlan, well-known for her work with botanicals as the distiller at AMASS.
Price at the time of publish: $57
Capacity: 8 oz. | Calories per Serving: 35 | Flavors: Golden Hour, Champignon Dreams, Purple Lune
The whole category of NA beverages remains a work in progress, but the people behind Ghia Non-Alcoholic Apéritif (view on Amazon) have hit the bullseye. However, there's an NA beverage out there for everyone: if you're feeling like a zero-calorie spirit, seek out the Optimist Botanicals "Fresh" (view at Boisson), or if it's CBD you're looking for, chill out with Recess Infused Sparkling Water (view at Amazon).
What to Look for in a Nonalcoholic Drink
Ingredients
Many of these drinks will have sugar in them because of the way they're made. If you're concerned about sugar and other ingredients, check the label. You might be pleasantly surprised at how little the amount of sugar is in some of these drinks. Explore and find one that fits your parameters.
Taste
You want something that your taste buds are going to enjoy. There's nothing like that refreshing taste of mint, or berries, bursting in your mouth. Whatever makes your taste buds happy should top your list of nonalcoholic beverages to buy.
Calories
Watch out for the number of calories that are in some of these nonalcoholic drinks, as they can creep up on you. Check labels for calorie content.
FAQs
What nonalcoholic drink can you order when at a bar or restaurant?
The all-famous, very recognizable, Shirley Temple, pops into our mind first, then others like an Arnold Palmer, Roy Rogers, or club soda. You can also order one of your favorite alcoholic drinks as a mocktail.
Do nonalcoholic drinks need to be refrigerated?
These drinks can be stored in your pantry. It is not necessary to refrigerate them unless they have been opened.
Do nonalcoholic drinks expire?
Yes, some do, while others don't. Make sure you check for an expiration date. Nonalcoholic wines tend to have a shorter shelf life. Just be cognizant of any expiration dates for whatever of these drinks you get.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Kate Dingwall is a freelance writer whose work focuses on food, drinks, and travel. She is based in Toronto and holds a Wine & Spirits Education Trust Level III qualification.
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