Words by Calum Ecroyd
With the arrival of Sober October and Dry January on the horizon, you may well be searching for your new go-to non-alcoholic drink. In the past, cutting back on the alcohol content of your drinks or even removing it altogether has often led to being thoroughly underwhelmed, let’s face it. Fear not, however, for the times they are a-changin’.
The alcohol-free industry has grown considerably over the last decade, so brewers and scientists across the world have been innovating to create authentic ‘NoLo’ drinks, and below are some of our favourite options…
WINE (No Alcohol)
McGuigan Zero
Australian winemaker McGuigan has a pretty broad selection in their ‘Zero’ range these days, including Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc, and Rosé. Their secret weapon is the spinning cone technology which allows the alcohol to be removed at lower temperatures than usual, meaning you lose all the booze but none of the taste. Win win!
Size: 750ml bottles
ABV: 0% ABV
Find here: £31.19 for a case of 5 or find it at most supermarkets for £5 a bottle.
Wild Life Botanicals
These two 0.5% wines are not just super bubbly and refreshing but they’re also infused with a mix of vitamins and botanicals, including Lemon Balm, Damask Rose and Rosemary. In fact, each 125ml glass contains 15% of your recommended daily intake of vitamins and minerals so not only will you be avoiding any hangover, but you’ll also be feeling reinvigorated. Charmingly packaged, both the nude (white) and the blush (rosé) would make perfect gifts.
Size: 750ml
ABV: <0.5% ABV
Find here: £15
Oddbird Low Intervention Organic White Wine No.1
Oddbird have built a reputation for their alcohol-free wines but this time they decided to make a low-intervention version that’s low in CO₂ emissions, completely organic and of course, alcohol-free. This natural white wine is produced from the local grape varieties in Northern Italy; Garganega and Vespaiola, and to taste has beautiful flavours of aromatic pear and citrus. Great for both the environment and your tastebuds!
Size: 750ml
ABV: 0% ABV
Find here: £10.00
COCKTAILS (No Alcohol)
Mocktails
Mocktails was born from a conversation with friends looking for fun, alcohol free drinks without the artificial ingredients, preservatives or sugary corn syrup. These are drinks inspired by small batch mixology that are low in calories chemicals and hassle! The Mocktails mixologists worked with master perfumers and spent years sourcing the botanicals, to create this well-balanced, delicious drinks. Flavours include the punny flavours of Sansgria, Mockscow Mule, Mockapolitan and even an Espress0% Martini!
Size: 250ml
ABV: 0% ABV
Find here: 12 x 250ml cans or bottles £29.99
The Cocktail Society
The Cocktail Society is home to cocktail subscription boxes, cocktail gifts, bottled cocktails and cocktail kits. Their Apple &Cinnamon Martini iteration is a premium DIY, alcohol-free cocktail kit. Made in collaboration with Warners Distillery, each box comes with ingredients to make four cocktails, a cocktail shaker, a snack and a recipe card. Check their site for alcoholic version of everything too. They make excellent gifts!
Size: various
ABV: 0% ABV
Find here: 1 kit for 4 cocktails plus shaker £39.99
Savyll Cocktails
Finding your favourite non-alcoholic cocktail is tough when there are so many options, but Savyll cocktails may well be the answer. Distinguished inside and out with gorgeous packaging and sophisticated flavours, these drinks carry all the prestige a cocktail should and all whilst being gluten and alcohol-free, and vegan. With Bellini, Mojito, Moscow Mule and Paloma on offer, there is something for everyone. They’re constantly switching up their products too so keep an eye out for new editions!
Size: 250ml
ABV: 0% ABV
Find here: 4x250ml cans £11.99 / 12x250ml cans £27.99
SPIRITS (No Alcohol)
CROSSIP Dandy Smoke
An honourable mention to CROSSIP’s other spirits (Fresh Citrus, Pure Hibiscus and Blazing Pineapple), but today we’re shining the spotlight on The Independent’s Best Overall Non-Alcoholic Spirit of 2021; Dandy Smoke. Smooth, smoky, and layered with warming spice, it’s just at home as a mocktail base as it is with Cola. Sure, it’s pricier than some other options, but its strong flavour means a little goes a long way, and the reviews speak for themselves!
Size: 500ml
ABV: 0% ABV
Find here: £22
Lyre’s Italian Orange
Lyre’s have smashed it with this Italian ‘spritz’ that is the perfect non-alcoholic version of Aperol, only slightly more interesting. Can we say that?! Oops, we just did! Make sure you check out the rest of their range of non-alcoholic versions of classics such as Vermouths, Triple Sec, Coffee liqueurs, Gins, Amaretto and more too!
Size: 700ml
ABV: <0.5% ABV
Find here: £19.95
Æcorn Bitters
If you’re familiar with Seedlip’s hugely successful non-alcoholic drinks, then let us introduce you to their sister company; Æcorn. Earthy and bittersweet with flavours of juicy grapefruit, this drink is perfect served spritz style with soda, ice and a slice!
Size: 500ml
ABV: <0.5% ABV
Find here: £17.95
Mockingbird Spirit
As the name suggests, the aim of Mockingbird is to mimic the iconic taste of Tequila. Using authentic Mexican Agave, it’s perfect for cocktails like Margaritas, or as mixer. Unlike Tequila, Mockingbird also features pure ashwagandha for added health benefits, so this is really a win-win.
Size: 700ml
ABV: <0.5% ABV
Find here: £22.99
Wilfred’s Non-Alcoholic Aperitif
Two years of experiments and 100 different recipes finally paid off, as Wilfred's Bittersweet Orange & Rosemary Aperitif was awarded the top spot at the 2020 Great British Food Awards. With flavours of zesty orange and rhubarb followed by more savoury notes of rosemary, it suits a refreshing spritz down to the ground. Nom!
Size: 500ml
ABV: 0% ABV
Find here: £19
Longbottom & Co. - Virgin Mary & Tomato Juices
New eye-catching brand Longbottom & Co have gone all in to corner this niche, producing these stylish cans of Virgin Mary and Tomato Juices. Slightly smoky, subtly spicy, and entirely vegan. They are delicious.
Size: 250ml
ABV: <0.5% ABV
Find here: £2.50 250ml can / £6.50 750ml bottle
Salcombe New London Light Midnight Sun
New London Light is a brand-new collection of non-alcoholic spirits, and Midnight Sun is a Nordic inspired sea and land combination. Elderberries and pine are offset by seaberries and the inventive use of kelp to create a unique, fresh, and natural taste.
Plus, what it takes from the sea it gives back, as 27p for each bottle sold goes to the Marine Conservation Society to help protect and regenerate seagrass! Cheers to that.
Size: 70cl
ABV: 0% ABV
Find here: £27.50
Sentia
Sentia is a plant based alcohol-free spirit with a unique feature. If we can get scientific for a moment, Sentia makes use of botanicals that promote GABA activity in your brain, replicating the effect alcohol has. Much like the real thing, this leads to feelings of relaxation and calm. As for the taste, it’s a pretty intense bittersweetness with a spiced gingery kick to finish. Sentia are one of the first brands to focus on feeling as well as taste, so we’re excited to see what other flavours they produce!
Size: 500ml
ABV: <0.5% ABV
Find here: £29.50
Trip CBD
CBD is everywhere these days, and drinks are no exception. If you’re not aware of what CBD does, check out our handy guide because it can be massively beneficial. Trip have been preaching about the benefits of CBD since launching in 2019 and have attracted a lot of praise for their gluten-free, vegan and 100% recyclable sparkling drinks. Peach Ginger, Lemon Basil, and Elderflower Mint are the ultimate refreshment trio, and with additional calming botanicals like Lemon Balm and Ginseng, it won’t just be the taste that lifts your spirits!
Size: 70cl
ABV: 0% ABV
CBD: 15mg
Find here: £39 24x250ml / £14 6 x250ml
Crodino Aperitivo
Whilst the movement for low alcohol drinks has picked up pace over the last decade, Crodino have been at it since 1965! The Italian brand have hardly changed their methods since way back then, still extracting their unique mix of spices, woods, roots, and herbs in the same way. With the vibrant orange flavour and rich honey colouring, it’s no wonder Crodino has spread across the continent!
Size: 17.5cl
ABV: 0% ABV
Find here: £28.99 12x17.5cl
BEER (No Alcohol)
UNLTD – Alcohol Free IPA
Let us introduce you to The Alcohol Free Brewing Co.’s first attempt at an alcohol free beer; UNLTD. A full flavoured IPA with citrus and tropical fruit flavour, it doesn’t just taste great, but it’s also a ridiculously low 13 calories per bottle. This maiden voyage into alcohol free beer is definitely one worth seeking out.
Size: 330ml
ABV: 0.5% ABV
Find here: £11.89 6x330ml / £23.29 12x330ml
Innovation in this area is absolutely thriving at the minute so if you want to explore even more of our recommendations, try here and here for more ‘LoNo’ beauties. There are some stunning sets available to gift over Christmas that will make Dry January a breeze.
