35 of the best non-alcoholic drinks: alcohol-free wines, gins, beers and more to enjoy beyond Dry January
Looking to replace your favourite gin with some of the best non-alcoholic drinks? Us, too - we've decided to give up alcohol for Dry January – congratulations to us and goodbye, ‘hangxiety’. There are lots of reasons why you might want to try non-alcoholic drinks and favour the alcohol free life. Perhaps the Christmas alcohol armageddon has transformed you from a social drinker to a every-night-in-front-of-the-news drinker and you're worried you might have a “problem”. May be you're pregnant or started on some new medication that doesn't mix well with alcohol. Regardless, there are tonnes of benefits to turning sober, if even only for a month.
You are not alone in wanting to break-up with booze. Dry January is a movement. 6.5 million people took on the biggest Dry January ever in 2021 – up from 3.9 million in 2020. For 2023, you ask? A new survey suggests nearly 9 million people are giving it a go. Wowza.
And to great benefit. According to research published in the British Medical Journal, a month off alcohol lowers blood pressure, reduces diabetes risk, lowers cholesterol and reduces levels of cancer-related proteins in the blood. Alcohol can dehydrate you, impact your immune system, transform your skin (not in a good way), seriously interfere with your sleep and even effect your mental health. Basically, it's not kale.
Whether you're trying to cut down on your alcohol intake for the sake of your mental health, you're just trying to be healthier or you're simply taking part in Dry January as a bit of a challenge, getting clued up on the best non-alcoholic drinks and alcohol-free tipples is PARAMOUNT. 'Cos when you're out at a fancy dinner or you want something refreshing to sip on after a long, hard day at the office, a zero alcohol alternative will stop you from craving the hard stuff. Alcohol-free drinks are there to kick cravings to the curb and fill the void left in your heart. Plus, they actually taste pretty great.
Which are the best non-alcoholic drinks?
Luckily, numerous drinks companies are jumping on the back of the nation's thirst for sobriety. The world’s largest drinks brand, Diageo, bought out the world's first distilled non-alcoholic spirit, Seedlip, while the likes of Heineken and Budweiser have released low-alcohol iterations of their best sellers. There's non-alcoholic bubbly, alcohol-free apple cider and low-alcohol beers.
Oddbird has three premium sparkling non-alcoholic wines which are set to shake up the premium No/Low wine category, while High Point Drinks from Cornwall has launched the world’s first premium non-alcoholic fermented aperitif and digestif, High Point Ruby Aperitif and High Point Amber Digestif. Even Made in Chelsea's Spencer Matthews released a non-alcoholic gin with a promise of no hangover. Yes, really.
Here are the best non-alcoholic drinks and low-alcohol drinks to sip in place of your normal blackout-inducing options.
Non-alcoholic Aperol Spritz
Wilfred's British Non-Alcoholic Aperitif, £19, Master of Malt
Recreate your favourite Italian spritz with this non-alcoholic aperitif. Made with rosemary, orange, rhubarb and clove, it's zesty and refreshing, pairing brilliantly with tonic water.
Best non alcoholic Champagne alternative
Alcohol-Free Sparkling Chardonnay NV, £10, Harvey Nichols
Technically more of a fizzy or sparkling wine alternative as Champagne has to be made in the French Champagne region in order to use the area's prestigious name; however, if we were you, we'd be toasting this for any celebrations in January or October. Or, of course, year round if you're a proud teetotaller.
Save money on everything from Sauvignon Blanc to pomegranate gin liqueurs with these Harvey Nichols discounts
Non-alcoholic cocktails
Virgin Bitters Non-Alcoholic Negroni, box of 3 from £19.50, NIO
NIO Cocktails – Needs Ice Only – are famed for their striking packaging and incredibly high-quality cocktails. And now they've expanded their range of alcohol-free cocktails with a new curated box that includes three ready-to-savour alcohol-free expressions: Ginger Sour, Lemongrass Citrus and Virgin Bitters. Our fav? The Virgin Bitters – an alcohol-free twist on the Negroni.
Best non alcoholic drinks that give you a buzz
Sharp - Blurred Vines, £16.99, Three Spirit Drinks
An ‘invigorating’ alternative to alcohol, Sharp features adaptogens - botanicals which respond to stress and your overall wellbeing - for an all-round good feeling beverage that tastes wonderful, as well.
Non-alcoholic rum
Clean R Rum Alternative, £16, CleanCo
Also from non-alcoholic spirits brand CleanCo – founded by Made In Chelsea's Spencer Matthews – Clean R is a non-alcoholic take on Spiced Caribbean Rum. Warming spice, golden caramel and cayenne pepper, it's ideal for whisking up a clean mojito.
Best tasting non alcoholic drinks
If you're a fan of IPA then chances are you've tried Brewdog's ‘Punk IPA.’ Now, you can buy that same great-tasting beer just without the alcohol for a great night without the dreaded morning after hangover. You're welcome.
Best bottled non alcoholic drinks
LA Brewery Sparkling English Blush 750ml, WAS £9.89 NOW £7.91, Planet Organic
With kombucha for a bit of a kick, this English Blush wine alternative brings notes of elderflower, rhubarb and seasonal flowers for a finish that's delicious and, at 17kcal per 100ml, low calorie, too.
The best alcohol-free Aperol Spritz
Lyre's Italian Spritz Bottling Note, £19.95, Master of Malt
Would you miss your Aperol Spritzes too much if you went tee-totel? Fret not, this Italian Spritz is the perfect alcohol-free dupe: zesty, bittersweet and the perfect companion for your soda water.
Refreshing non alcoholic drinks
Gin drinkers will adore this rhubarb-flavoured alcohol-free spirit which, paired with tonic water or soda water, makes a refreshing alcohol-free cocktail.
Bet non-alcoholic dry gin
Tanqueray Alcohol Free 0.0%, £15.99, Master of Malt
Tanqueray's Alcohol Free 0.0% gin features the same blend of botanicals used in their original Tanqueray London Dry Gin, just without the alcohol. Produced using a secret distillation process, it it still possesses those delicious and familiar juniper notes.
Non-alcoholic wines
Torres Natureo De-Alcoholised Rosé, £9.74, Master of Malt
This alcohol-free rosé from Torres is made from Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, and after it's fermented and macerated, the alcohol is removed. It's delicious and refreshing – you won't miss the alcohol content at all.
Best non alcoholic drinks
Lyre's Aperitif Rosso Bottling Note, £22.94, Master of Malt
This Aperitif Rosso is a non-alcoholic take on a rosso vermouth - a versatile addition to your booze-free drinks cabinet.
Alcohol-free coffee liqueur
Lyre's Non-Alcoholic Coffee Originale, £19.99, Master of Malt
Don't miss out on your beloved Espressio Martinis and use Lyre's coffee liqueur for a booze-free alternative. It's produced over in Australia, made in the style of a coffee liqueur but without the alcohol. Think: notes of chocolate, coffee and vanilla.
Non alcoholic gin
Gordon's Alcohol Free Bottling Note, £15.97, Master of Malt
Gordon's alcohol-free gin is a great choice if you're looking to cut down on alcohol. It uses the very same botanicals and its London Dry Gin, so expect all those juniper, citrus-forward flavours at 0% ABV.
Best non-alcoholic red wine
Torres Natureo De-Alcoholised Red, £53.94 for 6, Dry Drinker
This alcohol-free Spanish red wine from Torres is made as usual using Garnacha and Syrah grapes, and after it's fermented and aged the alcohol is removed. One to go with the cheese board, for sure.
Best canned non alcoholic drinks
GUINNESS 0.0% ABV Alcohol-free Stout, £18.33, Dry Drinker
Forget your flowery hibiscus-note gin alternatives and say buh-bye to soft drinks masquerading as alcohol-free alternatives. This, Guinness 0.0%, is for the people who know their beers, stouts and ales and want an alternative that's actually going to fool them into thinking it's the real deal. Don't believe us? We guess you'll have to try it.
Non-alcoholic spirits
Fluere Raspberry Non Alcoholic Spirit, £13.33, Ocado
Brighten up January with Fluere's range of non-alcoholic spirits made with the same distilling techniques used to produce alcoholic spirits such as gin, mezcal and rum. We particularly like the raspberry flavour – which is distilled with fresh raspberries – it's ideal to use as a versatile, non-alcoholic replacement for popular cocktails.
Non alcoholic cocktails to buy
CleanCo Non-Alcoholic Gin Alternative, £12, Ocado
Clean G is CleanCo's take on London Dry Gin which helps you reduce your alcohol intake while still being able to enjoy your classic G&T. Created by carefully distilling aromatic botanical ingredients, including real juniper, you'll struggle to tell the difference.
Seedlip non-alcoholic gin
Seedlip Garden 108, £24.95, Master of Malt
One of Seedlip's most popular alcohol-free gins - alongside Seedlip Grove 42 - is Seedlip Garden 108. It has a full, herbal flavour with notes of spearmint, rosemary and thyme.
Best summer non alcoholic drinks
Lyre's Agave Blanco Non-Alcoholic Spirit, £22.95, The Whisky Exchange
If you've been scouring the internet for a tequila alternative then look no further. Finally, you can make a tangy margarita in dry January - praise be.
Sipsmith non-alcoholic gin
Sipsmith FreeGlider Bottling Note, £22.44, Master of Malt
Sipsmith know what they're talking about when it comes to distilling fine gin, so their alcohol-free gin is worth shouting about. The team experimented with 189 prototypes and over 100 ingredients to create the perfect recipe which is zesty, spicy and herby in equal measure. Top with a grapefruit slice garnish.
Non-alcoholic aperitif
High Point Ruby Aperitif, £19.99, Master of Malt
High Point Drinks, launched to UK consumers in August, are made in Cornwall and are the world’s first premium non-alcoholic fermented aperitif and digestif. High Point Ruby is a vibrant fermented aperitif and delicious served as a spritz with tonic and ice – and a slice of pink grapefruit.
Non-alcoholic sparkling wine
Oddbird Spumante, £8.54, Amazon
This high-quality, zero-alcohol sparkling wine is perfect for New Year’s Eve celebrations or adding some non-alcoholic sparkle to January.
Fun non-alcoholic drinks
Ceder's Classic Non-Alcoholic Spirit, £15.49, Amazon
This classic non-alcoholic dry gin has notes of juniper, coriander and geranium. All you need now is a fancy garnish to make an A-grade mocktail.
The best alcohol-free Prosecco
Nosecco Alcohol Free Sparkling Wine, £15.27 (for 6), Amazon
Nosecco is a great and affordable non-alcoholic drink for parties, so it's worth having a couple of bottles in your cupboard for events when you don't fancy drinking. It's one of the closest alcohol-free fizz alternatives you'll find.
Best non-alcoholic cocktails
Punchy Non-Alcoholic Cocktail Flavour Variety Pack, £24, Amazon
These non-alcoholic come in a plethora of different flavours from peach and ginger to blood orange and bitters - and in different case sizes, too. They're the perfect “non-alcoholic drink that looks like alcohol” tipple to take to parties or picnics.
Best non-alcoholic apple cider
Kopparberg Alcohol Free Mixed Fruit Cider, 24 x 330 ml cans, £15.99, Amazon
Available in a case of 24, this refreshingly, fruity cider is just the same as the alcohol version - just with ABV missing. It's made from fresh fruits and natural spring water.
Best non-alcoholic gin
Bax Botanics Sea Buckthorn Spirit, £18.99, Amazon
Rich and bittersweet, this alcohol-free gin makes for a perfect evening tipple. Pair it with tonic water and orange zest to garnish, over ice.
Non-alcoholic beer
Brooklyn Lager 'Special Effects' Alcohol Free Beer, £16.49 for 6, Amazon
This alcohol-free beer is highly regarded in the booze-free world as one of the best. It's a hoppy lager with an unexpected zesty aroma which can be picked up in crates of six or twelve on Amazon.
No and lo-alcohol drinks
FREESTAR Lager Low Alcohol 0.5%, WAS £1.80 NOW £1.40, Ocado
Another bestselling lo alcohol beer, Free Star is refreshing and gluten free. Not to mention it's a World Beer Awards winner.
Save money on everything in your weekly shop, from fruit juice to ginger ale, by using these Ocado discounts when you checkout
List of non alcoholic drinks, from us to you
Mocktails Karma Sucra x24, £46.95, Master of Malt
As non-alcoholic beverages go, this alternative to a cosmopolitan with cranberry, lime, white grapes and juniper is a top pick for teetotallers who've had their alcohol-free beer fix and are missing the punchiness of a cocktail on a night out. Without the actual alcohol, of course.
Best non alcoholic drinks for a party
Caleño Dark & Spicy Tropical Non-Alcoholic Rum 50cl, £14, Amazon
A rum alternative with tongue-tingling notes of cardamom, vanilla and citrusy lime for a well rounded taste that pairs wonderfully with ginger beer. Yum.
Best non alcoholic drinks to order at a bar
Pentire Adrift 70cl - Botanical Non Alcoholic Gin, £22.45, Amazon
Pentire's gin alternative not only tastes like the real deal, but has notes of samphire and herbaceous sage for a finish that's just as punchy as a bottle of juniper-stuffed 37% ABV gin. We're big fans.
Save money on everything from sparkling water to zero-sugar mixers with sweeteners by using these Amazon discounts when you checkout.
Best alcohol-free wine (red)
Eisberg Cabernet Sauvignon Alcohol Free Red Wine, £4.19, Drinks Supermarket
A premium non-alcohol red wine which is full of flavour and scarily close to anything alcoholic you might have tasted, this alcohol-free red wine is the perfect pairing for your roast dinner.
Best alcohol-free wine (white)
Opia Alcohol Free Chardonnay, £5.99, Vintage Roots
Fresh and aromatic, this alcohol-free wine has notes of acacia, citrus, vanilla and peach. The perfect match for fish and chicken dishes or lighter dinners.
