Giving up alcohol can be a daunting task, but it can also be a rewarding one. Whether you’re looking to quit or reduce your intake for health reasons, save money, or simply want to try something new, there are many reasons why people choose to give up alcohol. Drinking alcohol-free drinks can be a good way to keep on track, so look no further for the best non-alcoholic alternatives!
Or perhaps, rather than going completely sober you might simply be looking to drink more mindfully (e.g. reducing your alcohol intake) in order to give yourself the space and time to examine your drinking habits.
Quitting alcohol and becoming sober
I used to be a regular drinker. Spending nights out partying and the following days hungover. The anxiety and depression I felt the next day got too much and I realised that my drinking was affecting my health and relationships.
I’d taken part in the odd Dry January, usually failing after a week or so, giving in and heading straight to the pub.
I decided to quit drinking alcohol and live an alcohol-free life. It was not an easy decision, but it was the right one for me.
There’s currently a sober movement going on in recent years, with many people turning their backs on alcohol and choosing an alcohol-free lifestyle because of its health benefits – it’s a depressant, causes and worsens anxiety, is bad for your liver, brain and skin, among many other negatives. Research shows that younger generations are increasingly opting for low-alcohol or non-alcoholic drinks.
Non-alcoholic alternatives
One of the biggest challenges of giving up alcohol is finding alternatives that are just as satisfying. Fortunately, there are now more alcohol-free alternatives than ever before. Fruit juices and soft drinks are all very well, but after a while they’re just too sweet, or you just want something a bit different.
Some people prefer to stay away from non-alcoholic alternatives for fear that they will trigger a craving and they will relapse.
How non-alcoholic alternatives have helped me stay sober
Personally I have found that they have been a huge help to me, keeping me on the right track and enabling me to navigate the social scene sober when alcohol had previously played a huge part in my life. They allow me to ‘join in’ and not feel awkward whilst out socialising and also wind-down at the end of the day.
Nonalcoholic drinks can be a great way to help you stay sober. They can provide a similar taste and experience to alcoholic drinks, without the negative side effects. From zero-proof spirits to alcohol-free beers, there are now many alternatives to choose from to help you live an alcohol-free life.
Some brands use adaptogens and serotonin boosters to boost mood and reduce anxiety . There are more options than ever for non-alcoholic drinks, so finding one you like has never been easier.
Most wines that I have tried have either been too sweet, or they taste just like a well-known grape juice. The alcohol really does make a difference to the taste.
I do have one white wine option below, which I enjoy, although I find sparkling wines are much more palatable.
I have yet to find a good red-wine substitute yet. The search continues!
If you’re like me and used to enjoy a drink at the end of a long day and miss having that ‘adult’ drink, then look no further. I have set out below the best non-alcoholic drinks that are either the closest to the original version or just hit the right spot.
The best non-alcoholic wines
McGuigan Zero Sauvignon Blanc
As I am typing this, I have a glass of McGuigan Zero Sauvignon Blanc in a glass next to me. The first time I tried it I will admit I didn’t love it. I think I was expecting it to taste just like the white wine I was used to. But I have to say that I do like it now.
It definitely does taste of grape juice, but it’s lovely and dry (which for me is a good thing) and best served as chilled as possible in a nice wine glass.
Give it a try if you want a good white wine alternative.
Buy here from Sainsbury’s
Nosecco – Alcohol Free Sparkling Drink made from alcohol-removed wine
If you like a bit of fizz and miss drinks like Prosecco, then Nosecco is a really good option. It’s a sparkling drink made from alcohol-removed wine, and I think this is one of the best non-alcoholic sparkling alternatives that you will find.
A good friend of mine, who had been sober for a couple of years, introduced me to it last year. I remember thinking that it was really good at the time, and I was genuinely impressed. It’s dry enough to be pleasant and full of bubbles.
They also do Peach Bellini and Spritz versions.
Buy here on Amazon
Freixenet 0.0 Percent Alcohol Free Sparkling
This is another great Prosecco/sparkling wine alternatives. The packaging is really similar to the real thing (which was a favourite of mine when drinking alcohol) so if you’re looking to socialise or attend a special occasion and not get a tonne of questions about why you’re not drinking or if you’re expecting, then this is a good one to take! Not sweet, tastes nothing like grape juice and seriously fizzy.
This non-alcoholic version is a third of the price of its counterpart, with all the taste and none of the alcohol. And no hangovers! What’s not to like?
Buy here on Amazon
The best non-alcoholic spirits
Three Spirit Non-Alcoholic Alternative Spirit
Described as ‘Elixirs designed by plant scientists and bartenders to enhance your mood, rhythm and mind throughout the day and into the night’.
Their selling point is that their drinks aren’t only meant to fill the gap that quitting alcohol leaves, but to bring back some of the more welcome sensations too. I couldn’t wait to give them a go.
They are available in three blends:
Social Elixir – the ‘mood maker’ – Get a little floaty & flirty from damiana, tulsi & cacao which lift spirits & reduce inhibitions.
Livener – the ‘pick me up’ – Energise, and feel euphoric from Guayusa, L-theanine.
Nightcap – the ‘dream maker’ – Naturally relaxing lemon balm, valerian & hops soothe the mind, adaptogenic ashwagandha combats stress and white willow bark comforts.
I decided to choose Nightcap as at the time I didn’t feel as though I needed something to liven me up and the thing I miss most now that I am sober is having an ‘adult drink’ in the evening. Juice and fruit teas can become very dull quickly.
I found it to be warming and soothing, a nice change. I can see why others recommend mixing it with ginger ale or ginger beer as it has a spicy, ginger flavour. It’s one that I will choose when I want to relax.
Buy The Collection of all three at Three Spirits
Everleaf Non-Alcoholic Aperitifs
I’d seen adverts for Everleaf on social media and some promising reviews and it caught my attention. I looked it up on Amazon and went straight to the reviews, many of which were rated 5 stars.
There are 3 different drinks: Forest, Mountain and Marine. I decided to pick Forest as it is described as ‘complex and bittersweet’. This sums it up perfectly. It doesn’t really taste like anything I have tried before. Vanilla and orange stand out most, and it has enough flavours to be interesting.
I lean towards bitter and sour drinks such as Aperol Spritz, and this ticks all the boxes.
This is my go-to evening drink. Mixed with a soda water or tonic water and I’m content. I don’t feel as though I’m missing out on anything.
Mountain and Marine are definitely on my list to try next.
Buy here on Amazon
Seedlip Non-Alcoholic Spirit
I always think of this as the OG of non-alcoholic spirits. It’s been around for years and it’s one of the first non-alcoholic drinks that I saw in a bar (apart from non-alcoholic beer).
It’s not a gin alternative (as a lot of people believe), as it doesn’t contain Juniper, but it goes through the same distillation process as traditional spirits. The only difference is it is not fermented.
There are six natural botanicals in each Seedlip Spirit and all products are sugar-free and no artificial sweeteners. It can be drunk on it’s own but it is quite concentrated so the best option is to use it as a base for a non-alcoholic cocktail. Check out their cocktail recipes on their website, which range from a virgin mojito to a ginger toddy.
Buy the trio bundle at Amazon
Tanqueray Alcohol Free Spirit
I tried a 0% gin when I abstained from alcohol for a while a couple of years’ ago. I poured it into a posh glass with a fancy tonic, but I was really disappointed
I didn’t feel as though I could taste the gin, just the tonic and it put me off trying any further non-alcoholic spirits for a while.
Being a big gin drinker in the past, I enjoyed nothing more than having a cold G&T after work to relax. Tanquarey was one of my go-to drinks, so when they brought out a 0% version I thought I had to give it a try.
Buy here on Amazon
The best non-alcoholic beer
Heineken 0.0 Alcohol Free Beer
A few years ago I bought a pack of Heineken 0% thinking that they were the alcoholic version for a NYE party. I drank three before I noticed the label and being the drinker I was at the time, I was gutted that I had missed out on valuable drinking time!
I obviously didn’t feel drunk, but it just goes to show how good these are. They taste very similar to the original – all the taste but non of the alcohol – and the best part is not having The Fear the next day. Win, win!
Buy 24 cans on Amazon
Birra Moretti Zero Alcohol Free
I would often choose Birra Mirotti when in the pub, therefore when I saw there was an alcohol-free version I had high hopes.
If you’re a beer drinker and to reduce your alcohol intake, then this alcohol-free version of the popular Italian lager is a good option.
It is really refreshing and good when served really cold.
The best non-alcoholic ciders
Kopparberg Premium Alcohol Free Cider Strawberry and Lime
This has been a good option when I need to take some drinks to a party, or I just want to have a drink that makes me feel as though I’m having an alcoholic drink. The taste is reminiscent of the original and gets a big thumbs up from me. If you don’t like sweet drinks, then this might not be the one for you though.
There are various flavours of the Kopparberg alcohol free cider, but the Strawberry and Lime one is by far my favourite. It’s so close to the original, albeit very sweet.
Stowford Press Low Alcohol Cider
If you find the Kopparberg alcohol free cider too sweet, then this low alcohol cider could be right up your street. You still get the sharp acidity that you’d expect from a regular Stowfords Press Cider, with notes of apple and honey.
There’s nothing better than a refreshing, cold glass of cider in the summer (so I used to say!) and this comes pretty close to the real thing.
Other great non-alcoholic beverages
Kombucha tea
Kombucha is a fermented drink made from tea, sugar. It has a slightly sour flavour and is mildly fizzy. For people who quit drinking alcohol, it can be a alcohol-free alternative.
Some people who have given up alcohol avoid drinking kombucha because it contains a small amount of alcohol. It typically contains less than 0.5% alcohol by volume (the same as in other fermented foods such as ripe bananas, yogurt, grape juice, bread, pickles, and vinegar).
Although the alcohol content is very low and not nearly enough to get you drunk, it can still trigger a craving in people who are trying to stay sober.
It’s strong in flavour and intensely fizzy – something that could appeal to beer and cider drinkers looking for an alternative. My favourite is Remedy Kombucha Tea.
Buy a 4 flavour pack of 24 cans at Amazon
Mother Root Ginger Switchel
It is described on the bottle as ‘fiery and fresh’, and it is exactly that!
Made from a blend of apple cider vinegar, organic ginger juice, ginger extract and capsicum extract, which not only make a delicious drink, but the benefits range from increased energy to gut health. The sugar content is 4.4g / 100ml when mixed as recommended: 1 part Mother Root with 5 parts sparkling water. With only 34Kcals per 150ml of mixed drink, it works out only a quarter of the calories in a small glass of wine.
A lovely fiery and bold flavour of ginger and chilli. The kick reminded me of the spice that I used to love in my favourite hangover cure – a Bloody Mary.
It’s great with tonic water (the blood orange Fever Tree is lush) with lime juice or soda water. I recently added ginger beer and that worked really well too, just sweeter.
I absolutely love it. For me it is a perfect drink for the day or evening. It tastes like a treat (and it’s low calorie), which is what I’m always looking out for.
TRIP CBD Infused Sparkling Drink
Perhaps not an alcoholic alternative, but these drinks are a great choice when you just want something different. Plus they contain 15 MG CDB in each can, which I have found makes them a great evening drink or when you want to just relax.
I’ve bought quite a few of these in the past, and never pass one by when I’m at the train station on my way home from work.
They come in three flavours: Elderflower Mint, Peach Ginger and Lemon Basil. I’ve tried them all and I can definitely say Elderflower Mint is my favourite. It’s got quite a unique taste and is very refreshing.
With ingredients such as lemon balm, chamomile, ginseng, L-theanine and 15 MG CDB in each can, they claim to be ‘chilled, hangover-free sipping’. They have a calming effect, great flavours and 0g of added sugar and only 21 calories per can. What’s not to like?
