For those avoiding alcohol or recovering from alcohol addiction, finding the non-alcoholic liquor that will make you feel like you’re living your best life is tough.
Personally, people call me a lightweight. I can’t hold my liquor like some people, and it’s not for lack of trying. Sometimes you just want to drink without getting drunk. One way to do this that many people may not have considered is trading out their alcoholic drinks for non-alcoholic ones.
If you’re into the whole sobriety thing like me or just want to enjoy a few drinks without getting wasted, we have compiled a list of some great substitutes for your favorite alcoholic beverages. But before, let us look into why someone would consider giving up the sweet release of alcohol.
Why shift to non-alcoholic varieties?
People are becoming aware of the negative consequences associated with alcohol overuse. In a report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, it is shown that in 2011-12, there were 6,960 hospital admissions for conditions related to alcohol abuse (AIHW 2013). Furthermore, these health issues often lead to lost productivity at work or even job loss. Many such people have decided not to drink alcohol any longer due to reasons as given above and more.
Despite this change in behavior towards drinking habits, there used to be no significant interest regarding non-alcoholic drinks due to their lower levels of popularity compared to alcoholic beverages. This is because the non-alcoholic beverage industry has only seen a boom recently. Before that, only a few non-alcoholic beverage varieties existed. Now, the world is filled to the brim with mouth-watering non-alcoholic types that will be your best friend.
How to select a non-alcoholic variety?
You have probably heard of non-alcoholic drinks before, but because the number of varieties has increased drastically in this decade, you might not know which one to buy.
There are a few ways to select a good non-alcoholic drink. First, you need to know what your favorite beverage is (e.g. wine). Second, look for the right brand that sells it. It would be best to look into the ABV because some alcohol-free drinks still have 0.5% alcohol content. If you are abstaining completely, you may want to be careful.
Many NA spirits are made by traditional processes where the alcohol content is removed at the end. These usually leave in trace amounts of alcohol. Other processes are entirely new recipes to create these NA drinks. These may or may not contain any alcohol. Just read the label carefully before you make the purchase.
The internet is so big that millions of websites and stores sell non-alcoholic varieties. However, not all of these are reliable and good. To help ease out the process for you, we have reviewed the best non-alcoholic liquor for cocktails for you after much research. Now you won’t have to waste your time and money to find a drink of your choice.
Best Non-Alcoholic Liquors in 2024
| NON-ALCOHOLIC LIQUOR | RATING | PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| Curious Elixir No. 2 | 10/10 (Editor's choice) | |
| Curious Elixir No. 4 | 9/10 | |
| Seedlip Distilled Non-Alcoholic Spirits | 9/10 | |
| Lyre's Orange Sec Non-Alcoholic Spirit | 9/10 | |
| SEXY AF Non-Alcoholic Spirit | 9/10 | |
| Pentire Adrift Distilled Non-Alcoholic spirit | 9/10 | |
| RITUAL ZERO PROOF Rum Alternative | 8/10 | |
| Monday Zero Alcohol Gin | 8/10 | |
| AMASS Riverine Distilled Non-Alcoholic Spirit | 8/10 | |
| Free Spirits NA Bourbon Alternative | 8/10 |
Curious Elixir No. 2
This is perhaps one of the healthiest options you can go for when considering non-alcoholic beverages. It is delightfully somewhere between a pineapple margarita and the Dark & Stormy. Needless to say, it is mouth-watering. Who knew that you could get a full cocktail in a bottle and have it taste just as good?
Not only is this delicious, but it is also very healthy. It contains citrus, peppers, and ginger, and the ancient Mayan herb damiana. We all know how beneficial citrus and ginger are for your body. They boost your overall health and prevent you from catching diseases. Damiana is an aphrodisiac that will stimulate more than one aspect of your life. This non-alcoholic cocktail is best served over rocks with a lime wedge. Do give it a try!
Curious Elixir No. 4
Do you wanna take steps for your health and have fun doing it? Curious Elixir no.2 is the answer to your wishes. It is not only non-alcoholic but also completely sugar-free with no harmful preservatives added. The blood citrus and green mandarin make this cocktail so refreshing that they will wash away all your tiredness throughout the day. Not only that, but the basil included in the drink is medically known to reduce stress. This can be the perfect drink to sip on after a rough day at work.
What’s more, is that this drink has anti-inflammatory properties that can help with many health conditions. This is owing to the ginseng and turmeric which make up this cocktail. The flavors are complex, not too sweet, with a tinge of bitterness. This is a limited-edition drink, so you should try this out now. Trust me; you won’t regret it!
Seedlip Distilled Non-Alcoholic Spirits
Being one of the best distilled non-alcoholic spirits globally, Seedlip is made with a blend of botanicals inspired by nature. The taste is complex and rich like most gins and tonics. The result is a unique liquid with all the flavor and aroma of an alcoholic spirit but no alcohol. It’s clean, crisp, and complex – think fresh grapefruit juice combined with aromatic juniper berries.
It can be enjoyed on its own or as a mixer with other ingredients to form a delicious mocktail. Surprisingly, it adds the same complexity of flavor to cocktails that alcoholic varieties also do. It comes in three flavors, namely Spice 94, Garden 108, and Grove 42. Spice 94 is spicier on the palate with cardamom and tree barks tones, while Garden 108 has botanical flavors, including spearmint, rosemary, and thyme. Last but not least, Grove 42 has a very citrusy and refreshing touch. It is the kind of orange-ish flavor that is incredible when mixed with ginger ale.
Lyre’s Orange Sec Non-Alcoholic Spirit
Lyre’s Orange Sec is an award-winning non-alcoholic spirit that tastes like real alcoholic drinks. It is made from natural ingredients and contains no gluten. Lyre’s Orange Sec can be used in mocktails, or any other beverage you want to make without alcohol. It comes in a 700ml bottle, and it is the medal recipient of The 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Lyre’s Orange Sec is the only orange-flavored spirit of its kind on the market. It has a smooth taste with citrus and sweet orange peel notes, making it perfect for your favorite cocktail recipes that call for vodka or gin. This is perhaps the closest drink to alcohol that you will find on the market! To top it all off, it is entirely vegan and gluten-free. You won’t have to worry about your gluten allergies or the risk of alcohol addiction. All the fun with none of the booze!
SEXY AF Non-Alcoholic Spirit
SEXY AF Non-Alcoholic Spirits a unique, award-winning spirit that is entirely alcohol-free. It has no added sugar or artificial sweeteners, making it ideal for those following Keto or Paleo diets and those who are sensitive to gluten or lactose intolerance. It’s also low in calories at just 30 per oz.
SEXY AF NA Spirit is made with natural ingredients, including oranges grown in Spain and distilled water from France. The result is a clean, crisp orange flavor that can be enjoyed as part of your favorite drink recipe. It is great for mixed drinks like a Moscow Mule. It is made for making your mocktails perfect.
Pentire Adrift Distilled Non-Alcoholic spirit
Pentire Adrift is a botanical spirit distilled from Cornish plants using the same process used for centuries. It is has been created using a blend of over 90 different herbs, flowers, and grasses found around the world and the Cornish coastline. This includes Cornish sea salt, which has been traditionally used for its anti-inflammatory properties.
This unique recipe creates a deliciously smooth, slightly sweet, and spicy drink with hints of citrus and vanilla. Perfect on its own or mixed to create a cocktail, this is the perfect choice for those looking for a non-alcoholic alternative to gin. For best results, serve chilled or over ice.
RITUAL ZERO PROOF Rum Alternative
Ritual Zero Proof is a rum alternative that is Keto, Paleo & Low Carb Diet-friendly. It’s made from premium quality, non-GMO ingredients and contains only ten calories per serving. It’s the perfect replacement for alcohol in cocktails. You can enjoy drinks like Mojitos, Mai Tais, Daiquiris, Pina Coladas and more!
Made with natural ingredients without artificial sugars, Ritual has a clean taste without any artificial flavors. It is the perfect choice for those looking to enjoy the taste of rum without any alcohol or sugar. Just keep in mind that this is not to be drunk neat. You should add it in a 1:1 ratio to any mocktail recipe and enjoy. Wait, you don’t have good recipes? Well, the Ritual zero-proof rum alternative comes with a recipe book full of mouth-watering recipes.
Monday Zero Alcohol Gin
Monday Zero Alcohol Gin is one of the best alcohol-free gin alternatives on the market. Made with natural botanicals and spices, including juniper berries, lemon peel, coriander, cardamom seeds, and orris root (natural vanilla), this unique recipe delivers a complex flavor experience that is perfect for mixing into your favorite cocktails. Monday’s unique blend of flavors makes it the ideal spirit for anyone looking to enjoy a good drink after a rough day or just on vacation at the beach.
It is also gluten-free, paleo, keto, and low carb friendly. This means almost everyone can enjoy this without any guilts. The best part is, this drink is 0 calories! Yes, you heard it right. It won’t make you battle weight gain. We should mention that it has 0.15% ABV, which is well before the 0.5% mark. You can drink away with no worries with this one!
AMASS Riverine Distilled Non-Alcoholic Spirit
Amass Riverine Distilled Non-Alcoholic Spirit is a uniquely crafted, non-alcoholic spirit made from 14 natural botanicals, including juniper, lemon peel, sumac, and sorrel. It’s distillation process captures the essence of the plant’s essential oils and delivers a delightfully complex taste with no sugar or calories. Our guests loved it in mocktails that we prepared. Even a whiff of it will teleport you to a forest!
It contains no added sugar or sweeteners, artificial colors, or flavors. This means that it won’t stand in the way if you want to shed a few pounds. Neither will it have any adverse effects on your health. Moreover, It’s non-GMO and gluten-free and hence, safe for most people. The packaging it comes in is exquisite. It is thus a giftable item to give your loved ones!
Free Spirits NA Bourbon Alternative
Free Spirits NA Bourbon is a premium, non-alcoholic spirit made from natural ingredients like American White Oak, European Juniper, and Mexican Blue Agave. This non-alcoholic bourbon alternative has all the bold flavor of its alcoholic counterpart with no alcohol. It’s infused with vitamins B3 and B6 along with naturally uplifting amino acids to give you a refreshingly smooth taste experience without the burn.
Unlike most NA bourbon alternatives, it is not too sweet and accompanies the infamous burn feeling, making it very close to the alcoholic version. It is probably one of the best bourbon alternatives you will find. Add your favorite mixer or drink it neatly for a unique take on one of America’s oldest spirits.
How to understand the world of non-alcoholic liquor?
While some may be well-versed in the world of brewing and alcohol manufacture. Others may find themselves lost at some of the terminology commonly thrown around in the market. This can lead you to make the wrong purchases due to a lack of understanding. Well, we don’t want that! let us look at some standard processes that you should be familiar with
Fermentation: The process in which yeast breaks down sugar into carbon dioxide and alcohol
Distillation: The process where a purified liquid is collected through evaporation and condensation
Steam distillation: The process where steam is pumped through ingredients to make them release their essential oils to make them even more beneficial for us
Infusion: Soaking any material in a liquid to allow it to absorb the liquid
Maceration: Like infusion, but the materials are cut up to increase surface area to volume ratio to ensure maximum absorption
Ethanol: Alcohol is scientifically the broader term that includes many types. the alcohol we consume is ethanol
Botanicals: Any plants or fruits that are used in the process of making alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks
ABV: Alcohol by volume. It is the percentage of alcohol that a drink contains
Finish: The aftertaste and your final thoughts when you are done gulping down a drink
Benefits of giving up alcohol
The advantages of consuming non-alcoholic beverages might not be as clear to drinkers who have been drinking for years since they are used to alcohol. But there are many reasons why you should try quitting alcohol altogether and substituting it with best works non-alcoholic cocktails. Here is an explanation of some benefits that are associated with stopping the intake of alcohol:
Can prevent liver problems
Liver problems caused by excessive alcohol intake can be avoided by giving up alcohol. Alcohol cannot be digested by your body directly. Hence, it is taken to the liver, where an enzyme is used to break it down. This is the process that makes you feel tipsy. But this leads to a build-up of fat in the liver, which can lead to cirrhosis and other kinds of liver problems like Hepatitis
Can help your mental health
Alcoholism is a disease/disorder. Most people have known at least one family member or friend who has been abused by alcohol. It is the most common cause of domestic violence, divorce, and suicide attempts. People turn violent when they drink too much. You might not be such a person, but if you continue drinking frequently, then it is enough reason for you to stop now itself before your health and social life suffer irrecoverably
Improves skin health
Quitting alcohol leads to healthier skin and hair due to a healthier body. This is because the breakdown of alcohol produces acetaldehyde which is a toxic compound to tissues. Whenever you have a binge-drinking session, you may experience breakouts and pimples on your skin. Alcohol is the reason!
Improves Immunity
Alcohol is known to be really bad for all your body cells. Giving up alcohol will hence make your body cells healthier and improve your general health and immunity. Alcohol reduces the production of white blood cells and damages the existing white blood cells in the body. People with high alcohol intake are more likely to catch infectious diseases. With the pandemic going on, giving up alcohol may save your life, literally!
Reduces risks of many diseases
Reduced risk of heart disease & cancer is among one of the best benefits you can enjoy by giving up alcohol. When alcohol enters your bloodstream, it wreaks havoc on liver cells which are key to filtering out bad agents from blood. When these cells die due to alcohol consumption, they release their toxins into the bloodstream, which causes further damage. The cells then form clots in order to heal themselves, which makes it much more difficult for blood to go around the body hence increasing the chance for heart attack or stroke.
Helps weight loss
Aside from all this, cutting down on booze will most definitely help you lose weight! You can enjoy your favorite drinks but with fewer calories and without a hangover. This benefit is especially relevant for people struggling to shed some extra pounds. a lot of these non-alcoholic beverages have a lower calorie content than the original ones.
What is the point of alcohol-free spirits?
Non-alcoholic spirits exist to make you healthier without making you give up on one of the greatest pleasures of life. You won’t have to feel left out as all your friends sip on their drinks at a late-night hangout. It is all the enjoyment with none of the consequences.
What is the best non-alcoholic liquor?
Well, believe it or not, all the liquor we mentioned in this article is the highest quality NA liquor you will find on the market.
What is the best non-alcoholic beer?
Beer is one of the liquors that does well even without alcohol. Some beers do taste watery and run down, but other ones are delicious, malty and very beer-like. Therefore you have to choose your brands very carefully. Brands like O’Doul’s and Heineken are the classics. When it comes to the signature malty taste, nothing bears them. However, newer varieties like Brew Dog and Bravus will definitely offer something new and exciting!
Does non-alcoholic liquor exist?
Yes, you can easily find non-alcoholic liquor varieties such as Seedlip, Kin Euphorics, Three Spirit, and Lyre’s. These companies have worked hard to create a formula that is delicious and close to the traditional spirits while also being alcohol-free.
Can you get non-alcoholic whiskey?
Yes! It may surprise you, but brands like My Celtic Soul have created drinks like regular whiskey that do not contain any alcohol. Now you can get your favorite drinks without a worry.
What is the healthiest liquor?
Tequila probably wins this race because it is low in caloric content while also containing probiotics. However, an even healthier option is to opt for any non-alcoholic spirit varieties. Despite being healthy, tequila has a lot of alcohol content that can make your health go downhill. Avoid alcohol whenever you can!
How to make non-alcoholic cocktails/mocktails?
Well, that depends on which drink you want to make. The recipes are almost identical. You just need to keep an eye on the amount of the drink you will need to use according to how concentrated its taste is.
Can non-alcoholic liquor make you drunk?
It is pretty much impossible for NA liquor to make you drunk. NA liquor either has no alcohol or it has less than 0.5%. Don’t worry, it won’t be enough to make you drunk. However, it may be possible for it to trigger cravings for an actual alcoholic drink which might ruin your plans of not drinking for the night.
What is the best NA liquor in Canada?
Canada surely has some great options to offer. They are better at controlling their liquor than other countries anyway! We will mention some of our favorite options below:
Sexy AF Spirits:
Sexy AF has delicious flavors that will leave you craving another delicious drink. But their highlight isn’t even how mouth-watering their drinks are, but rather how healthy they are. These drinks contain 0.00% Alcohol, are Plant-Based , Kosher, Vegan, Allergen, Gluten, and sugar-free. How great is that! Moreover, they are also low carb and low calorie for those trying to watch their weight.
Sobrii 0-Gin:
Sobrii offers a new twist – they offer flavorful cocktail samplers that will quench your thirst right away! In addition to that, they have no calories, no added sugars, and have less than 0.5% alcohol by volume.
Spiritless:
Most people complain that they don’t get enough NA varieties. Well, that is not a problem with this company. They offer NA gin and tonic which is a personal favorite of most people including myself! It has 0% abv which means you can kiss getting drunk goodbye. It even has no sugar content.
Conclusion:
Alcohol is something that many of us live with every day and it can be challenging to give up. That’s why we have shared these alternatives you might not have considered before—these best non-alcoholic spirits! As we mentioned, there are many great options out there for those who want an alcohol substitute without the hangover.
Try experimenting with the best non-alcoholic spirits that mimic your favorite alcoholic ones! You don’t need to do this alone, though; let us know your favorite non-alcoholic beverage or spirit in the comments below so we can help provide more information about these products!