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Whether you like gin, rum, beer, tequila, or a lovely glass of prosecco, there are plenty of alcohol-free drink alternatives. Do you want to know how I know that? Because I’ve done my research. Firstly, I’ve been teetotal for 7.5 years. Secondly, I love an alcohol-free mocktail. And thirdly, I wanted to do a deep dive for you lovely people.
That’s exactly what I’ve done: found the top 21 alcohol-free drink alternatives in the UK, with the best flavours, the highest ratings, and the greatest reviews. So, if you’re in the mood for an alcohol-free tipple tonight, you have definitely come to the right place!
Let’s jump right in, shall we?
Top 21 Alcohol-Free Drink Alternatives UK
There are several things to take into consideration when choosing the top or best alcohol-free drink alternatives for you. Flavour profile is, of course, one of the most important factors, but it’s not the only one. Some alcohol-free options aim to replicate the taste of traditional alcoholic spirits like gin, whisky, or rum, while others may have unique flavour combinations that are unlike most boozy beverages.
I’m going to share with you the top 21 alcohol-free drink alternatives UK, along with a few helpful hints and tips to find the perfect boozy replacement. So, are you sitting comfortably? Yes? Good. I shall begin.
1: Tanqueray Alcohol-Free Spirit (Gin)
This alcohol-free drink alternative was suggested by one of the Buzzy Kitchen writers, Emma V. She loves Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla distilled gin, and after trying this alcohol-free version of another Tanqueray favourite, she was hooked! She also brought it into the office one Friday and forced us all to drink it. Spoiler alert: it’s lovely, and we all thought it was alcoholic gin!
Office drama aside, this is the non-alcoholic gin recommended to me the most by other sober folk/Dry January participants. To be honest, I never drank gin when I wasn’t teetotal, mostly because I wasn’t a big fan of the taste. I do very much like this alcohol-free gin from Tanqueray, though. It’s fruity, with notes of juniper and citrus, and it tastes lush with a slice of lemon and some soda water.
2: Guinness Draught 0.0% Alcohol Free Stout
If you weren’t aware that Guinness had released an alcohol-free version of their world-famous drink, boy, do I have a treat for you. Yes, it does exist. Yes, it does taste like actual Guinness. No, I don’t think you’d realise the drink was alcohol-free if they placed it in front of you and told you it was the genuine boozy beverage. I even questioned the alcohol content after tasting it for the first time.
One person who tried the non-alcoholic version of Guinness said that there was virtually no difference in taste between the boozy and non-boozy beverages. I wasn’t much of a Guinness drinker in my boozy days, but I’d never have guessed it was alcohol-free when I tried it over Christmas. This one is a 10/10 in my opinion.
3: Captain Morgan Spiced Gold 0.0% (Spiced Rum)
If you’re a fan of Captain Morgan with lemonade (which I was, once upon a time,) then you’re going to love this alcohol-free alternative. Containing the same warming spices, vanilla, molasses, and caramel, it’s all the taste without any hangover. I, for one, am happy about that!
The spicy notes definitely come through in this non-alcoholic rum alternative, and it has rave reviews from virtually everyone who has tried it. Mixed with coke, poured over ice, and served with a lime wedge, it comes so close to the real rum-and-coke, you’d never guess it was a no-booze version. I think it’s great value for money, too, when you compare it to some of the other alcohol-free drinks on the market. Just saying.
4: Seedlip Garden 108 Non-Alcoholic Spirit (Gin)
There are actually three different Seedlip non-alcoholic spirit types, all of which closely mimic gin, citrus gin, and pink grapefruit gin. They are Garden 108, Grove 42, and Spice 94 respectively. They’re all vegan-friendly, low-calorie, allergy-friendly, and sugar-free. Oh, and the ingredients are all natural and the packaging is sustainable. Tick, tick, tickity-tick. It’s ticking all the boxes for me, but how about you?
Let’s focus on Seedlip Garden 108 for a moment, shall we? This alcohol-free spirit combines hay and peas with thyme, hops, rosemary, and spearmint. It sounds like a mad combination, but it certainly makes for a great, refreshing booze-free beverage, especially served with tonic water or lemonade over ice.
5: MARTINI Non-Alcoholic Aperitivo Dual-Pack (Floreale and Vibrante)
Unlike most of the other top alcohol-free drink alternatives on this list, this is a dual pack, containing two types of non-alcoholic spirits from Martini – Floreale and Vibrante. Also, I’d just like to point out that this double pack is the same price as some of the other single bottles. Just saying.
The manufacturers recommend serving this one up as a 50/50 split with a mixer with ice, which you should bear in mind when buying. You are going to use more of this than you would do most of other non-alcoholic drink alternatives on this list. The two bottles are great value for money, though, so I think you’ll get your money’s worth.
These two drinks have great reviews, too. Most people who’ve tried it comment with things like, how good it looks, the great taste, and how refreshing it is, particularly in the summer. With two choices to pick from, there’s a non-boozy summer of fun in every bottle!
6: Pentire Seaward Botanical Grapefruit Alcohol-Free Gin
If you like your gin flavoured with grapefruit, then I think you’re going to love this grapefruit-flavoured alcohol-free gin, which is 100% vegan and plant-based. That’s not all, either. There’s no added sugar, no artificial flavours, and no artificial colours. It’s also made in Cornwall, which is my mother’s absolute favourite place to be, and the drink is Climate Pledge Friendly (via Amazon). You know, in case that kind of thing is important to you. It is a little important to me.
The flavours are described as being replenishing and invigorating – pink grapefruit mixed with wild seaweed, woodruff, sea rosemary, and sea buckthorn. The company (Pentire) suggests pouring a 50ml serving, over ice, before then adding either soda or tonic water and a garnish of a grapefruit slice. (Tonic water is club soda, for my American friends.)
7: LUCKY SAINT Alcohol-Free Unfiltered Lager
There are actually a lot of alcohol-free beers on the market these days, with the big names in beer and lager making alcohol-free versions of their most popular products. You can find many of those on the supermarket shelves, and I imagine you’ve probably tried one or two for yourself already. This particular beer, LUCKY SAINT Unfiltered Lager, is actually served in The Ivy, and has received brilliant reviews from the likes of TimeOut, The Daily Telegraph, and The Independent.
Vegan-friendly, brewed in Bavaria in Germany, and described as tasting like a “classic Pilsner with biscuity malts with a smooth, citrus hop to finish.” Each bottle contains just 53 calories, but you do need to be aware that there is a small amount of alcohol content… but they can get away with calling the beer “alcohol-free.” Allow me to explain.
In the European Union, alcohol-free beer needs to be less than 0.5% ABV to be given the name. This did once apply to the UK too, but we have since left the EU. Now, a drink must have an alcohol content of less than 0.05% ABV. Confusing, right? Just another benefit (cough) of Brexit.
For some reference, one study shows that a very ripe banana could contain as much as 0.4% ABV. Some fruit juices will also sit in the 0.04% and 0.5% range, too. Vinegar, vanilla extract, soy sauce, and some soft drinks contain trace to mild amounts of alcohol. In theory, you would need to drink ten pints of 0.5% ABV alcohol, at a bare minimum, to have ANY effect on BAC – Blood Alcohol Content.
8: Belle & Co Sparkling Alcohol-Free Rose Wine
This non-alcoholic sparkling rose wine ticks a whole bunch of boxes, such as gluten-free, vegan-friendly, low calorie, naturally occurring sugars only, and vibrant taste. It’s one of the highest and most-reviewed of all alcohol Perfect for parties, it’s cheaper than your average bottle of wine, comes in a double-pack for those special moments, and even looks like alcohol. You’d need to take a pretty close look at the label on the bottle to see the non-alcoholic label.
The taste is fruity, with red apple and citrus notes, mixed with delicious summer fruits. It’s absolutely brilliant for the warmer months and garden BBQs, but it would also make for a great non-boozy Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day tipple, too. Universal, that’s what I like to call it. It’s cheap enough to be universal.
9: Not Guilty Pinot Grigio 0.0% (White Wine)
Made with de-alcoholised wine, this alcohol-free white wine gives you all the flavour and feel of a glass at the end of a long day, but without all the negative side effects, such as the raging hangover if you so much as have ONE glass more than your body likes.
The flavours are described as crispy and fruity, with citrus, pear, and hints of floral. It’s not exactly the same as white wine, so I wouldn’t necessarily suggest this one if you are looking for the wine-like flavour. It is a delicious, alcohol-like beverage that easily takes the place of white wine, though. (In my opinion, anyway.)
That’s actually another important point I’d like to make before you go on the hunt for the perfect alcohol-free drink alternatives for you: non-alcoholic versions of drinks rarely taste exactly the same as their boozy counterparts. Some are super close, such as the Guinness Stout listed above. Others, however, should be appreciated as a booze-like drink that almost belongs in its own category.
10: Three Spirit Livener
I’ve seen this drink plastered across social media lately, and apparently, so have a few of my non-drinking friends! With the promise of a mild buzz from all-natural ingredients, it’s easy to understand the hype. There are actually a few drinks in the Three Spirit collection, but I’ve chosen to feature Livener, because that’s the one my friends seem to enjoy the most.
Non-alcoholic, not meant to be an alcohol replica, vegan, gluten-free, no artificial colours or flavours, totally clean caffeine, sustainably packaged, ethically sourced, and… only 42.5 calories per serving. Those are some impressive features, to be honest. Described as “fresh and fiery,” Livener is a mixture of ginger, watermelon, guava, floral green herbs, and bitter ginseng, and is decided to liven up the party, as the name suggests.
Other drinks to take a look at include Social Elixir, which is described as “full-bodied, bittersweet, and curious.” Curious might be the weirdest flavour I’ve ever seen listed, but hey-ho. There’s also Nightcap, which is “decadent, warming, and smooth.” For what it’s worth, Nightcap has the most and best reviews.
11: Savyll Peach Bellini Non-Alcoholic Cocktail (Can)
If you prefer your alcoholic drinks to come ready-mixed and ready-to-drink, these non-alcoholic cocktails in a can are definitely a great choice for you. With rave reviews and more than a few different flavours, these clever drinks are low calorie, have no added sugar, contain all-natural ingredients, and are vegan-friendly and gluten-free. Essentially, they’re suitable for virtually everyone.
Alongside my personal spring favourite, the Peach Bellini, there are other alcohol-free cocktail cans from Savyll. These include Mojito, Moscow Mule (Ginger), and Grapefruit Paloma. You can even get them in a four-pack, to try each flavour before you commit to buying just one. They’re most definitely cheaper than the real deal, too. You’d never get four cocktails for less than a tenner in a bar. Not these days.
12: Lyre’s Italian Spritz Non-Alcoholic
This drink is sold as “spritz-style” which is a term used most commonly to refer to a drink with no fewer than three different ingredients, and one of them must be an aperitif. It isn’t to be confused with “spritzer,” which is usually wine served with soda water or lemonade, using a tall glass rather than a wine one. These days, the two terms are used interchangeable, which can make things super complicated and confusing.
This Italian non-alcoholic spritz is more of a spritzer, to be honest. The manufacturers recommend serving it with ice and tonic water or, for a boozy treat, prosecco. You could also use non-alcoholic prosecco, too. You’ll find that if you keep scrolling.
Back to this non-alcoholic beverage, people seem to love it with bitter lemon just as much as tonic water. It has excellent reviews, too. LOTS of them! There are also LOTS of non-alcoholic drinks in the Lyre’s range, such as the Non-Alcoholic G&T (in a can,) and bourbon-style spirit. Sorry, I should’ve said award-winning range. The bourbon-style drink got a medal at the The 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Oh, and all of the packaging, including the bottles and packing, is 100% recyclable.
13: Fire & 5th Chilli and Blood Orange Non-Alcoholic Spirit
This non-alcoholic alternative is a little bit like a cross between whisky and vodka, suitable for whisky-based drinks, such as a whisky sour, as well as tequila-based ones, such as a margarita. The company says that it has tried to mimic the fire and spice you get with these boozy beverages, without the booze-factor. From the reviews, it would appear that the company has been successful.
This option is a pretty healthy one, too. There are only 10 calories in a 50ml serving, and it’s gluten-free and vegan-friendly. You won’t find any artificial colourings, flavours, or sweeteners in this alcohol-free option, either. Described as being light and citrus with an alcohol-like chilli kick at the end, consumers have recommended it with ginger ale, or as part of another cocktail, with not a lot of the spirit needed to get the feeling across.
14: KNUT HANSEN Non-Alcoholic Dry Gin
Made in Hamburg, Germany (which is not far from where I used to live,) this non-alcoholic dry gin substitute has rave reviews and a high star rating. With a fairly typical herb and juniper base, there are light citrus tones, which consumers have described as, “smoothest gin I’ve ever tasted.”
There are alcoholic versions of this booze-free beverage just in case you want to try that one for comparison. The bottles are super unique, too. A little creepy, too… I won’t lie. It does look like something my ex-boyfriend would keep for long after the bottle was finished, just because it “looked cool.”
15: Everleaf Forest Non-Alcoholic Aperitif
If you’re asking for my personal opinion, there are a lot of gin and aperitif-style non-alcoholic drinks, but not very many that replicate things like Baileys, vodka, or other boozy beverages. Don’t get me wrong; I love these aperitif and gin-style drinks… but I do wish there were slightly more non-alcoholic spirits of other types. (With good reviews and a great taste, obviously.)
This is another great-rated gin/aperitif-style spirit that is alcohol-free, and some consumers have commented on it being a not-bad substitute for Southern Comfort, if that’s more your thing. I do love a drink that is super versatile! The taste is described as, “layers of citrus and spices combine to create a bold, exotic, and vibrant aperitif.”
For what it’s worth, there are other alcohol-free Everleaf drinks to try, such as Mountain, which is described as having a floral sweetness with piney juniper and notes of rosehip and black cherry. I think that one sounds lovely, don’t you? Another notable mention is Marine, which is a mix of crisp juniper, citrus, and bergamot, with tropical sea buckthorn and olive leaf.
16: McGuigan Zero Alcohol Free Shiraz
If you’re in the market for an alcohol-free red wine replacement, this one might tick all the right boxes for you. Made from de-alcoholised Australian red wine, it’s full bodied, with vanilla and spice notes mixed with the aromas of forest berries and plum. It screams winter warmer; don’t you think? It’s definitely one I’d bring out around the winter dinner table.
Consumers have described this red wine replacement as being “moreish” and “better than other non-alcoholic wines,” which I think definitely speaks for the quality and taste. In my opinion, it always feels a little more grown up than drinking a glass of Schloer. No offence to Schloer, of course; I love the stuff!
17: Infinite Session Alcohol-Free India Pale Ale
I don’t know if it’s my age, but I can’t hear the words, “pale ale,” and not laugh. Thank you, American Pie. Thank you very much. Anyway, showing my age aside, this is another alcohol-free beer that contains a maximum of 0.5% ABV. There are several different flavours on offer from Infinite Session, but this particular one, India Pale Ale, is a citrusy beer with bold flavours from six different grains.
Vegan-friendly, 75% fewer calories than regular beer, and described as “a juicy, well-rounded mouth-feel that should satisfy even the most hop-minded of beer drinkers,” by reviewers at The Telegraph. This pale ale is slightly more expensive for regular drinkers, which is one of the main ‘bad’ comments from customers. The taste, carbonation, and maltiness is worth it, though.
18: SOLDADERA Blanco Non-Alcoholic Tequila Alternative
If you’d like to make yourself a non-alcoholic tequila sunrise, this alcohol-free tequila alternative is just the thing you need! This particular beverage was recommended to use by Emma’s mum, who recently found it and is now a (faux) addict. SOLDADERA, a small-to-medium-sized British company, used the brave women in the Mexican revolution as the inspiration for the non-alcoholic tequila alternative.
Blanco isn’t the only alcohol-free tequila on offer from the company, either. There’s also SOLDADERA Café, which is a great ingredient for non-alcoholic espresso martinis, and features agave, coffee, and cocoa.
Back to Blanco, the drink is caffeine-free as well as alcohol-free, so you can drink it at bedtime without worrying about being awake all night. There’s no added sugar in there, no fat, and it’s both gluten-free and vegan-friendly, so it’s a super safe bet to have in your drinks cabinet for those guests who have intolerances or dietary preferences.
19: Whitley Neill Rhubarb and Ginger 0.0% Spirit (Gin)
Based on the original, award-winning Whitley Neill Rhubarb and Ginger (alcoholic) gin, this alcohol-free spirit has been inspired by the flavours and senses of an English country garden. There’s a touch of warming ginger, plus the wonderful tartness of rhubarb, which makes it, all in all, a great all-rounder drink for any time of year.
Containing de-alcoholised Rhubarb and Ginger Gin and botanical concentrates, you get all the taste of the much-adored booze without any of the actual booze attached. The manufacturer recommends enjoying the alcohol-free spirit with tonic or soda water, just as you would with regular, alcoholic gin.
There’s also an alcohol-free version of the company’s raspberry-flavoured gin, infusing juniper notes with Scottish raspberries and then de-alcoholising it. I’ll be keeping my eyes open for any new flavours that pop up from the brand, too. Just in case you’re interested in them as much as I am!
20: ANON English Garden Non-Alcoholic Spirit (Pimm’s)
If you’re in the market for a non-alcoholic version of Pimm’s, have I got a right treat for you! ANON have created an alcohol-free spirit to take the place of it in your favourite summer cocktails! With a blend of cucumber, mint, summer fruits, orange, apple, and strawberry, it actually tastes pretty close to the original Pimm’s with booze when you add ice and lemonade, or any other mixer of your choice, of course.
The manufacturer recommends topping the glass up with either lemonade, tonic water, or even prosecco. And yes, you can find non-alcoholic prosecco to go along with your non-alcoholic Pimm’s alternative. In fact, that brings me very nicely to the next (and last) of my top alcohol-free drink alternatives.
21: Scavi & Ray Alcohol-Free Sparkling Wine (Prosecco)
People have nothing but good things to say about this non-alcoholic Prosecco-based drink. It’s safe for mum’s and drivers, and one glass only contains 30 calories. (And we love that, don’t we?) It’s not too sweet, either. A lot of prosecco substitutes can be super sweet, but this company has made a point of stating that they don’t add a bunch of sweetness and customer reviews completely backs that up.
Awarded the Gold prize in the 2018 Made for Mums Awards, it has a great taste, great smell, and is close enough to the real deal to fool everyone else – and yourself. As the manufacturers state, pour some into a champagne flute, top it up with lemonade or tonic/soda water, then enjoy!
The TRUTH About Non-Alcoholic Drinks
Okay, so, I feel it’s time to get real – like, super real – about non-alcoholic drinks.
Some of them do contain alcohol. As previously mentioned, even everyday foods, such as very ripe bananas, contain alcohol. In some cases, a very ripe banana can have an alcohol content of 0.5%, which is the maximum amount allowed for non-alcoholic drinks in the EU. In the UK, the content must be less than 0.05%.
Even an alcohol content of 0.5% isn’t going to affect you. If three very ripe bananas don’t have an effect, three cans of 0.5% alcohol beer aren’t going to, either.
However, alcohol-free drinks that still contain alcohol, even as little as 0.5%, can cause problems for people with dependency or other issues related to alcohol.
Summary
To save you scrolling all the way back up to the top, to find a drink, here’s a summary of everything you’ve read:
Image credits: Featured image