Whether you’re doing Dry January, have quit alcohol entirely, are trying to moderate or just after some new, non-alcoholic, drinky treats to try, we are always on the lookout for fabulous no-low drink options to share with you. Here are some more we have tried recently and thoroughly enjoyed.
Lockdown Liquor Co., Grove Picante
The Lockdown Liquor Co. was launched in 2020 as a premium blended cocktail company, with expert mixologists using top ingredients for their offerings. What’s more, they are a great company to support as they were set up to provide financial support to NHS Charities throughout the pandemic as well as helping other charitable communities throughout the pandemic with COVID-19 related initiatives.
Their Grove Picante is a limited-edition, alcohol-free blend created in collaboration with Seedlip and contains lime, chilli, agave nectar, orange blossom water and coriander. It packs a serious chilli punch and has a wonderful tang - a great non-alcoholic alternative for Picante lovers.
Serve it over a large chunk of ice with the end of a chopped chilli pepper on top if you dare...
Find here: £25 for 50cl
Crossip Non-Alcoholic ‘Spirit’
According to Crossip founder and renowned cocktail creator Carl Anthony Brown, “not drinking is not just a one-off; it’s a way of life”. He created Crossip to combine a career in cocktails and passion for socialising with a healthier, sports-based lifestyle without the negative effects of alcohol. What’s more, Crossip donates 5% of all sales to good social causes ranging from mental health to addiction. These are flavoursome, complex drinks with a significant mouthfeel that pack enough punch to feel like a proper treat. Crossip also creates some interesting and very smart-looking mixers, such as violet tonic and fiery ginger beer.
Pure Hibiscus is bittersweet, a bit like a negroni, based on hibiscus with rhubarb and finished with wormwood and cayenne for that powerful kick. There’s also a great viscosity - this is no weedy drink! Try it with tonic or soda water with a slice of orange.
Dandy Smoke is the non-alcoholic choice for lovers of brown spirits, such as whisky or dark rum. Powerful and smoky, with notes of cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger and a refreshing, cool mid note of menthol, the finish ends with a punchy chilli and ginger kick. Fabulous. Try it with ginger ale and a lime wedge.
Fresh Citrus is essentially the gin alternative and a great all-round choice. Complex and refreshing with natural flavours of mandarin, grapefruit, lemon, herbs and spices it again, has great mouthfeel and a fiery ginger kick. Have it with tonic and a citrus slice.
Find here: £22 for 50cl (there are bundles available with tonics too or just all the spirit flavours.)
Maria & Craig’s Distilled, Non-alcoholic CBD Botanical Spirit
Now, here’s an interesting concept: an alcohol-free ‘spirit’ with CBD! Maria & Craig’s is brand new to the market from Maria & Craig; the founders of CEDER’S and CELTIC SOUL distilled, non-alcoholic spirits. Together, they blend premium broad spectrum CBD from the USA with distilled juniper, sage, camomile and orange blossom as well as a few additional, other classic gin botanicals. The drink is handcrafted in small batches and the result is a subtly complex, refreshing; a little like a more herbaceous lemon barley water with benefits. Try it with premium tonic and garnish with an orange twist.
Find here: £22.99
Mcguigan ZERO, premium alcohol-free wine
It’s fair to say that alcohol-free wine has taken rather a long time to get right! Thankfully though, we are seeing some great brands step up in this domain including much-loved Australian winery, Mcguigan.
The range includes a still Chardonnay, a still Rosé, a still Sauvignon Blanc, a still Shiraz and a sparkling white blend. Last week, I polished off an entire bottle of the Shiraz, slightly chilled over the course of an afternoon and it felt like a light wine and actually tasted of Shiraz. Happy days!
Find them at most supermarkets for around £5 a bottle.
Thomson and Scott ‘Noughty’ Alcohol-Free Sparkling Chardonnay
In terms of premium sparkling wine with the alcohol removed, Noughty has proved itself to be a very smart option. Looking serious on the outside, it’s made with organic Chardonnay grapes from Spain in traditional stainless steel vats and then de-alcoholised by vacuum distillation with aroma recovery.
Vegan and with impressive B Corp credentials, this is a crisp, elegant fizz with notes of baked, golden delicious apples and brioche.
They also make an organic Prosecco! We’ll try that soon and let you know what we think.
ABV: 0.05%
Find here: £8.99
UNLTD Alcohol Free Lager (0.05%)
Finally! A no-alcohol beer that’s also low on carbs and calories (and also vegan). Enter, UNLTD. Looking super smart with it’s black and silver label, this is a very light, refreshing and elegant beer. It’s flavour is fairly subtle but we found it absolutely did what you want a cold beer to do at the end of a stressful day, when you also want to avoid the booze and carb load. UNLTD will be brewing a no alcohol IPA soon too, so watch this space. We shall we stocking up! Highly recommended.
Find here: £24.99 for 12 x 330ml
See more of our recommended no and low drinks here.