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I Tried 18 Nonalcoholic Drinks to Find Spirits and Cocktails I’d Unwind With Any Day


Straight to the Point

I enjoyed almost all of the zero-proof beverages I tasted for this review. The Ghia Original Non-Alcoholic Apéritif was one of my favorites; its fruitiness was balanced with bitter gentian root and bright lemon balm for a great evening sipper. I also liked the Three Spirit Livener Functional Spirit Alternative, which was caffeinated and excitingly zingy.

My household’s seen a shift in the last few months. The fridge space once devoted to IPAs, Riesling, and swing-top bottles of pre-batched martinis has been overtaken. In their place: nonalcoholic beers, sparkling tonics, and, okay, there’s still a bottle of wine there, too. On evenings when my partner and I would have usually uncorked a bottle of Pinot Noir, now we’re more likely to fill our wine glasses with a zero-proof spritz or soda with a squeeze of lime. It’s not that we made a conscious decision to drink less; our habits just slowly morphed as we saw changes in our well-being, communed with sober friends, and found other options to unwind with. We haven’t boxed up our martini glasses for good, but alcohol no longer feels like the obligatory choice after a long day. Looking back, I realize just how freeing it’s been.

According to Gallup, we aren’t alone; younger adults in our age range (those 35 and under) are 10% less likely to drink regularly than the same age group two decades ago. Those who do drink consume fewer drinks weekly on average and are less likely to overdrink. People have all kinds of reasons for avoiding alcohol: mental and physical health, religion, lifestyle choices, pregnancy, avoiding hangovers, or simply not liking the taste. Non-drinkers are no longer relegated to the same old soft drinks or bland, dealcoholized lagers. Now, the nonalcoholic market is booming, and the energetic growth is only expected to increase in the coming years, according to forecasters at IWSR (a global data analytics firm specializing in the beverage industry). My fellow Serious Eats reviewers have already selected their favorites from the flourishing nonalcoholic beer and wine sectors, but what innovations are there for cocktail lovers? For that, I’ve got you covered.

I tried 18 nonalcoholic drinks to find the best ones: zero-proof spirits, apéritifs, functional elixirs, and ready-to-drink cocktails. While I liked almost all of the ones I tasted, I noticed that many cost as much or more than the mid-shelf alcohols and canned drinks they’re designed to replace. Considering how easy (and affordable) it can be to make nonalcoholic drinks at home, I only chose winners that were delicious and made sober drinking feel special. I also looked for beverages I’d be proud to tote to BYOB gatherings or serve to dinner guests. Ultimately, I found six must-haves for your booze-free bar cart, plus another seven worth trying.

The Winners, at a Glance


PHOTO: Foxtrot

Ghia was fruit-forward without being saccharine and had delightful notes of yuzu, ginger, and rosemary. It was complex but amiable, which made it as suitable for afternoon spritzes as for post-dinner nightcaps. 

Wilfred's Non-Alcoholic Bittersweet Aperitif

PHOTO: Food52

There was no better spritz ingredient than Wilfred’s. At first glance, it seemed like a straightforward Aperol replacement, but its sophisticated combination of orange, rosemary, clove, and gentian (a root with a vegetal, bittersweet flavor) gave it a distinct profile worth savoring.

Amazon Three Spirit The Livener

PHOTO: Amazon

The Three Spirit Livener was the life of the party. Its flavor profile was sweet, tart, and spicy with watermelon, hibiscus, ginger, and cayenne. It also had guayusa leaf extract (from a type of Amazonian holly tree), which added an energizing dose of caffeine to each serving.


The Best Nonalcoholic Bottled Cocktail for Sharing

Ghia Le Fizz

Ghia Le Fizz

PHOTO: Ghia

The Le Fizz was similar to a sparkling Lambrusco wine but with flavors of blackcurrant, cooked strawberries, and smoky lapsang souchong tea. It was a favorite for sipping during dinner parties or pouring on holidays.

St. Agrestis Phony Negroni

PHOTO: St. Agrestis

The Phony Negroni was undeniably the closest experience to a traditional cocktail. It was citrus-forward, sweet, and boldly bitter with a touch of bubbles—an absolute must-try for sober Negroni lovers. 

Ghia Lime & Salt Le Spritz

PHOTO: Ghia

Look up “crushable” in the dictionary, and there will be a picture of this spritz. It had all the lovely fruit and botanical flavors from the Ghia Original apéritif, plus an extra dose of citrus. Of all the prepared drinks in the lineup, I was most excited to have a can of the Lime & Salt Le Spritz waiting in the fridge after a long day.

The Tests

Tasting the drinks on their own and how the manufacturer suggested covered all of our bases.
Serious Eats / Ashlee Redger


  • Individual Taste Test: I prepared and tasted each drink according to the manufacturer’s serving suggestions. If the beverage was meant to be poured over ice or diluted with sparkling water, tonic, or ginger beer, I also tasted it on its own before mixing. 
  • Group Taste Test (Winners Only): I prepared my favorite drinks from the lineup for five friends. I asked them to record their tasting notes and preference ratings for each one.

What We Learned

Nonalcoholic Drinks Came in Three Categories

I liked nearly all of the nonalcoholic aperitifs I tried. Most of them are meant to be enjoyed with a mixer.
Serious Eats / Ashlee Redger


All the zero-proof drinks I tried could be split into three classifications: nonalcoholic apéritifs, spirit alternatives, and functional beverages. The apéritifs were the biggest group and included the Ghia’s Original and Berry mixers as well as its two ready-to-drink cocktails and several Aperol- and Negroni-style substitutes (like Wilfred’s Aperitif and the St. Agrestis Phony Negroni). The apéritifs were all fruit-forward and sweetened (to various degrees). They also contained botanicals like herbs, teas, flowers, and spices for complexity. They could be sipped over ice or mixed with things like sparkling water, ginger ale, and/or fresh citrus juice for zero-proof cocktails. Many were citrus-heavy with an herbal undertone (like the Pentire Coastal Spritz Non-Alcoholic Aperitif), while some added compelling floral notes (like the Figlia Fiore Aperitivo and the De Soi canned sparkling apéritifs). Gentian root was a common and welcome addition to several of these beverages (like the Curious Elixirs No. 1 Pomegranate Negroni Sbagliato), as it added bitterness and a vegetal, licorice-y background note that leveled the apéritifs’ inherent sweetness. 

I found something to appreciate about almost all the drinks in this category, though my least favorite was Lyre’s Italian Orange Spirit. While the rest were nuanced and balanced with bitterness, Lyre’s attempted Campari dupe was maraschino cherry-sweet and reminded me of strawberry soda when combined with sparkling water. It wasn’t necessarily bad, but I expected more sophistication for almost $40 a bottle (at the time of writing).

Some of the nonalcoholic spirits (like the one shown here) were far too subtle.
Serious Eats / Ashlee Redger


Spirit alternatives were similar to liquors you might find on a bar shelf—just without the booze. They were also flavored with botanicals like citrus, oak, herbs, vegetables, and spices, often in the form of distillates and natural flavorings. Unlike the apéritifs, they had little or no sweetness. While dealcoholized versions of traditional liquors do exist (made via reverse distillation, where the alcohol is evaporated out after standard fermentation), all the spirit alternatives I tried for this review were made of water infused with natural flavorings. Unfortunately, they were mellow and underwhelming. The gin-like Lyre’s Italian Dry London Spirit was mild on its own and near-impossible to detect when mixed with tonic. The spirit claimed to contain juniper, but I missed any note of it. Seedlip’s vegetal Garden 108 had a touch more flavor and was refreshing when mixed with a splash of sparkling water, but both it and Seedlip’s Spice 94 were overshadowed when combined with ginger ale (the manufacturer’s suggested mixer). Considering they cost about the same as a mid-shelf liquor and lent just a hint of flavor, I’d suggest skipping them and adding a drop of nonalcoholic aromatic bitters or muddling fresh herbs into mocktails instead.

I can’t say I felt any of the purported effects of the functional nonalcoholic beverages I tried.
Serious Eats / Ashlee Redger


The last category was functional beverages. These were drinks with ingredients designed to elicit energizing, calming, or other effects in the drinker. For example, the damiana shrub extract in the Curious Elixirs No. 2 Spicy Pineapple Ginger Margarita was meant to promote relaxation, and the L‑theanine in the Recess Zero Proof Mocktails was there to “ease tension and lighten the mood.” I liked all the beverages in this group, but I can’t say I noticed a big difference in my mood or general state after drinking any of them. Several (including Recess, De Soi, and the Curious Elixir Negroni Sbagliato) touted their functionality thanks to adaptogenic ingredients like schisandra berries. Now, you may be thinking, what in the world are these “adaptogens?” And what functions do they serve? Good question! Let’s get into it.

What Are Adaptogens, Anyway?

I didn’t add or subtract points for a drink’s adaptogenic claims.
Serious Eats / Ashlee Redger


Before we dive in, here’s a reminder that I am not a medical professional, and you should talk to your doctor if you have concerns before you consume any adaptogenic products. That said, I waded through countless studies and wellness-coded articles, only to conclude that it’s all a bit…murky.

Adaptogens refer to specific plants that contain various active compounds thought to help the body deal with stress and maintain homeostasis. Lists of adaptogenic plants vary by source (one review named over a hundred examples), but most include things like ginseng, ashwagandha, and reishi mushrooms. By definition, these adaptogenic compounds work “nonspecifically,” meaning they normalize and balance bodily functions in general (affecting multiple systems at once) rather than through one specific mechanism. Different adaptogens also have different effects and work along different pathways. If that sounds vague, it’s because it is. Certain adaptogens have also been associated with more defined impacts like mood improvement, reduced inflammation, and caffeine moderation, but most recent studies involving adaptogens are industry-sponsored or conducted in animals or test tubes. We don’t have enough high-quality, human-based data to determine their usefulness and, if they do work, at what doses. Adaptogenic plants have been used in several medicine systems (including that of China, Japan, and India) for centuries. However, some adaptogens can still have side effects like gastrointestinal distress and cause problems for people who have diabetes, blood pressure issues, stomach ulcers, and autoimmune disorders, as well as those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. They’re considered supplements by the FDA, and thus they aren’t regulated.

One of my favorite nonalcoholic drinks contained adaptogens, but also just tasted really great.
Serious Eats / Ashlee Redger


Even with the hazy claims, I still think some adaptogenic drinks are worth trying if the vibe appeals to you (and you’ve talked to your doctor about relevant health issues). I didn’t add or subtract points specifically for drinks containing adaptogens, though some were docked for the medicinal undertones in their flavor. It was relatively mild in fruitier drinks like my favorite Three Spirit Livener Functional Spirit Alternative, which had a sweet and spicy profile alongside a bold serving of caffeine-containing adaptogenic guayusa. The Aplós Calme Functional Non-Alcoholic Spirit, on the other hand, leaned heavily on broad-spectrum hemp as its functional ingredient. The hemp didn’t produce a high (since it was THC-free) but was aimed at helping the drinker unwind and “quiet the mind.” It tasted too intense and verged on soapy for some of my taste-testers, although I appreciated its vegetal bitterness in soda water and two-finger pours.

The Criteria: What to Look for in a Nonalcoholic Drink

Serious Eats / Ashlee Redger


Like any beverage, the best nonalcoholic drinks come down to personal preference. My favorites were well-balanced mixtures of sweetness and bitterness, with herbal and spice notes for extra complexity and interest. None of the clear, water-based spirit alternatives I tried were flavorful enough to mix (or good for sipping on their own), and I preferred using fresh ingredients or bitters to add character to mocktails instead. Although many apéritifs were fruit juice-based, most were surprisingly dry, mature, and approachable for serving over ice or mixing. Functional drinks tended to have a medicinal taste, which was off-putting for some of my taste-testers. Skip them if that sounds unappealing or if you have any health conditions that may be affected by adaptogenic ingredients. 

If you can, I’d suggest visiting a bar or restaurant with some nonalcoholic options you can try in person before buying whole bottles or cases online. If you don’t want any traces of alcohol in your drinks, be aware that products with the “nonalcoholic” label can legally contain up to 0.5% alcohol (according to federal regulations). Check the manufacturer’s online FAQs or look for “alcohol-free” labels for truly zero-proof beverages.

Our Favorite Nonalcoholic Drinks

Ghia Non-Alcoholic Apéritif

PHOTO: Foxtrot

What we liked: Unlike many zero-proof alternatives, Ghia wasn’t trying to replicate an existing alcoholic drink or relying on trendy adaptogens to make a statement with its Original apéritif—it just tasted great. Despite its blend of fruit juices and concentrates (which produces a punch-red color), it wasn’t overly sweet. I noted that it was “surprisingly herbal” at first taste, with discernable ginger, rosemary, and citrus flavors. Gentian root extract lends bitterness and a pleasantly delicate anise note. I liked sipping Ghia in a simple spritz with sparkling water or ginger beer, but it was even lovelier with a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice. It was ideal for recreating a cocktail bar vibe—no booze needed. 

What we didn’t like: Although I thought its fruit-derived sweetness was perfectly balanced with botanicals, it might be a turn-off to those who prefer punchier, more bitter drinks. At the time of writing, a bottle costs about $40—more than most mid-shelf alcoholic apéritifs. Although Ghia says its products contain 0% alcohol, it doesn’t label them “zero-alcohol” label (meaning they may have up to 0.5% alcohol content).

Key Specs

  • Manufacturer’s serving suggestions: Combine one part Ghia Original Apéritif with three parts sparkling water, tonic, or kombucha
  • Ingredients: Water, white grape juice concentrate, yuzu juice, lemon balm extract, elderflower extract, gentian root extract, date concentrate, plum concentrate, acacia, fruit and vegetable juice for color, rhubarb root extract, potassium sorbate, orange extract, ginger extract, rosemary extract
  • Unit size: One 500-milliliter (16.9-ounce) bottle

Why It’s Editor-Approved

I’ve been a fan of Ghia for years. It’s pleasantly bitter and just a splash of it is enough to liven up a glass of sparkling water. — Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm, associate editorial director

Wilfred's Non-Alcoholic Bittersweet Aperitif

PHOTO: Food52

What we liked: Wilfred’s was an unbeatable alcohol-free option for Italian-style spritzes. Undertones of clove and gentian root helped ground its bright, citrus-heavy sweetness, while a distinct throughline of rosemary made it feel alluringly mature. It would be a welcome addition to holidays and parties, but I particularly relished it as a late-afternoon refreshment. Wilfred’s felt familiar (similar to Aperol) and was one of the least pricey bottles of the lineup, making it a good entry point for sober-curious drinkers. 

What we didn’t like: It was great served with tonic (as the manufacturer suggests), but when mixed with sparkling water, it needed an extra splash of the apéritif for a fuller flavor.

Key Specs

  • Manufacturer’s serving suggestions: Serve over ice with a premium tonic
  • Ingredients: Water, natural botanical distillates and extracts (clove, bitter orange, rosemary, gentian, rhubarb), sugar, citric acid, concentrates (carrot, blackcurrant), preservatives: potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate
  • Unit size: One 500-milliliter (16.9-ounce) bottle

Amazon Three Spirit The Livener

PHOTO: Amazon

What we liked: Livener was a fantastic choice for spicy margarita fans. Its watermelon-y sweetness and hibiscus tartness were quickly chased by the spice of cayenne and the zing of ginger. After the first sip, it brought me back for another taste of sweetness to tame the heat, starting the whole delightful process over again. The heat didn’t build too much but lingered pleasantly. Although it advertised “mood-making active ingredients” like green tea, schisandra, and ginseng, I suspect the most potent ingredient of all was the guayusa-derived caffeine it contained: almost 60 milligrams per 1.7-ounce (just a little less than a shot of espresso). Combined with its exciting flavor profile, it made for a truly energizing elixir. 

What we didn’t like: The Three Spirit Livener is quite sweet, and some tasters found its ginger and spice too zippy to drink much of on its own. Mixing it with soda water helped tame its intensity. Its high caffeine content may not suit those sensitive to the stuff (especially if consumed in the evening). Per its nonalcoholic label, it may contain traces of alcohol up to 0.5%.

Key Specs

  • Manufacturer’s serving suggestions: Pour over ice, top with club soda, and garnish with a grapefruit slice; enjoy on the rocks, as a spirit alternative, with soda, or in cocktails
  • Ingredients: Purified water, unrefined cane sugar, watermelon concentrate, pomegranate molasses, botanical extracts (hibiscus, guava leaf, schisandra berry, ginseng, guayusa leaf, green tea, ginger, cayenne pepper), natural flavors, apple cider vinegar, black carrot concentrate, tartaric acid (food acid), citrus pectin, potassium sorbate (for freshness)
  • Unit size: One 500-milliliter (16.9-ounce) bottle


The Best Nonalcoholic Bottled Cocktail for Sharing

Ghia Le Fizz

Ghia Le Fizz

PHOTO: Ghia

What we liked: Ghia’s Le Fizz was a pre-spritzed version of the brand’s Berry Aperitif. Like its base, it was full of darker fruit flavors and reminded me of Lambrusco wine or a tart take on sparkling pomegranate or blackberry juice. Tasters noted undertones of warm spices, and one said it reminded them of kombucha “without the vinegar-iness.” Lapsang souchong (a type of smoked tea) and smoked salt added another sophisticated layer of complexity to the Le Fizz’s flavor. It paired well with food and came in a wine-like bottle, making it fantastic for keeping on ice during holidays and dinner parties. It was also my go-to pick for making celebratory, Champagne-free toasts.

What we didn’t like: Given its vivid red color and “strawberry and orange blossom” descriptor, I expected this beverage to be bright, sweet, and fruity. Instead, its flavors were more reminiscent of cooked strawberries, raisins, and tea. It took me a few sips at first to readjust my expectations and appreciate its more mature, drier profile.

Key Specs

  • Manufacturer’s serving suggestions: None
  • Ingredients: Water, strawberry juice from concentrate, black currant juice from concentrate, chamomile tea (water, extract), lapsang souchong tea (water, extract), date concentrate, lemon juice from concentrate, fermented jasmine green tea, acacia, gentian root extract, honeysuckle extract, orange peel extract, cardamom extract, holy basil extract, orris root extract, orange blossom extract, cherrywood smoked salt, orange extract, rosemary extract
  • Unit size: Two 750-milliliter (25-ounce) bottles

St. Agrestis Phony Negroni

PHOTO: St. Agrestis

What we liked: Unlike the other producers in the lineup, St. Agrestis sells both alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. It specializes in Italian-inspired, amaro-based cocktails, particularly Negronis. Where cocktail-inspired drinks from other brands were loosely adapted for a zero-proof format, the alcohol-free Phony Negroni was a superbly similar alternative. It had every bit of sweet citrus and botanical bitterness needed to sate even the staunchest Negroni lover. Plus, it was infused with a fun hint of carbonation. This is the drink for those who want a punchy, familiar cocktail for parties, unwinding at home, or loading the fridge during dry months.

What we didn’t like: Tasters adored the chic bottle, herbal notes, and balanced bitterness of the Phony Negroni. The only criticism was that—without the bite of alcohol—it came off a tad sweeter than a traditional Negroni.

Key Specs

  • Manufacturer’s serving suggestions: Enjoy straight from the bottle or over ice with an orange twist
  • Ingredients: Carbonated water, cane sugar, natural flavors, citric acid, phosphoric acid, quinine, sodium benzoate
  • Unit size: 12, 200-milliliter (6.76-oz) bottles

Ghia Lime & Salt Le Spritz

PHOTO: Ghia

What we liked: The Ghia Lime & Salt Le Spritz was moderately sweet with delightful notes of berry and ginger. Poured into a glass, it had a lovely red hue that begged for a twist of lime or a salted rim. Though it could be recreated by mixing the Original Ghia apéritif with club soda and a splash of lime juice, the cans would be great for stocking in beverage coolers and BYOB parties.

What we didn’t like: During the group tasting, some were turned off by the flavor of lime rind in this drink, though others (including me) enjoyed the bitter note. Though salt is in the name of this drink, it wasn’t noticeably salted. The little Le Spritzes were surprisingly pricey per can ($5 each/$60 per 12-can case at the time of writing), though this was on par with most of the other ready-to-drink options in the lineup. 

Key Specs

  • Manufacturer’s serving suggestions: Enjoy cold
  • Ingredients: Water, white grape juice concentrate, lime juice, yuzu juice, lemon balm extract, elderflower extract, date concentrate, gentian root extract, lime peel extract, sea salt, acacia, fruit and vegetable juice for coloring, eucalyptus extract, ginger extract, orange extract, rosemary extract
  • Unit size: 12, eight-ounce cans

Why It’s Editor-Approved

This is probably my favorite Ghia drink. I love the crisp fizz, the floral citrus notes from the lime, and the roundness that the touch of salt brings. — Grace Kelly, editor

The Competition

Nonalcoholic Spirits and Apéritifs Worth Trying 

  • Pentire Coastal Spritz Non-Alcoholic Aperitif: Unsurprisingly, this apéritif made a great spritz. It was a little less sweet and bright than Wilfred’s, but it had compelling notes of dried fruits, herbs, blood orange, and oak.
  • Aplós Calme Functional Non-Alcoholic Spirit: I liked Aplós’s blend of bitter cucumber, tropical citrus, and rosemary flavors, although some of my taste testers found it soapy and astringent. Its key ingredient was broad-spectrum hemp, which was meant to calm and improve the drinker’s mood (not to be confused with high-inducing THC, which it did not contain). While I’m not sure of its substantive efficacy, it did give me spa vibes and made a pleasant slow sipper at the end of long days.
  • Figlia Fiore Non-Alcoholic Aperitivo: This aperitivo divided tasters with its heavy-handed clove, rose, ginger, and orange flavors. Some loved it and noted it would be great for cold weather and holiday sipping, but others said it skewed potpourri-ish. I preferred it in a cocktail with a generous squeeze of lemon juice and sparkling water, which brought out its sweetness and mellowed the more fragrant notes.
  • Ghia Berry Non-Alcoholic Apéritif: Where the Original Ghia was filled with playful, bright flavors, this berry version was darker and moodier. Its dried and stewed fruit flavors (reminiscent of prunes and dried cherries) were paired with lapsang souchong tea, which added a subtle smoky earthiness to the apéritif. It was a great cold-weather sipper mixed with ginger beer.

Ready-to-Drink Nonalcoholic Cocktails Worth Trying 

  • Recess Zero Proof Mocktails: Recess focuses on adaptogenic drinks, and I tried the sampler pack that included the Lime “Margarita,” Grapefruit “Paloma,” Watermelon “Mojito,” and Ginger Lime “Mule” flavors. Each contained L-theanine powder, lemon balm, and guayusa (which added 10 milligrams of caffeine per can). They all had an undertone of bitterness that wasn’t totally unpleasant, though I found it more noticeable in the citrus-based flavors. I particularly liked the Watermelon “Mojito” and enjoyed taking it on the go, but any of them would be well suited for weeknights and casual hangouts.
  • Curious Elixirs No. 1 Nonalcoholic Pomegranate Negroni Sbagliato: This Negroni interpretation was a hit with tasters, who liked its effervescence and complex blend of pomegranate, orange, fennel, and adaptogenic rhodiola. Its sweetness balanced the bitterness from gentian root, lemon peel, and bitter orange extracts. It would be fantastic to pair with food or to drink at a party.
  • De Soi Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Apéritifs: My tasters and I loved how easy it would be to bring these chic cans to picnics and gatherings, but the flavors were rather divisive. Most tasters liked the citrusy Spritz Italiano but found the Purple Lune and Très Rosé options overly floral (though a few liked that the latter reminded them of a sparkling rosé wine). Golden Hour’s flavor was “gingery, fizzy, and refreshing” to some, but others felt it had an unpalatable medicinal note (“like a cough drop”) from the adaptogens. I’d recommend these for people who don’t mind flowery flavors and want a sophisticated, lightly sweetened sipper for evenings and dinner parties.

Not Recommended

  • Seedlip Garden 108 Non-Alcoholic Spirit: The Garden spirit had a delicate, vegetal sweetness with hints of mint, rosemary, and cucumber. Seedlip suggested serving it with ginger beer, but it was mellow and hard to distinguish in mixers other than plain sparkling water. While I think this could be a fine option for people looking to make nonalcoholic drinks feel easier or more special, a similar (or stronger) flavor could be achieved by muddling fresh mint, rosemary, and a slice of cucumber into mocktails instead.
  • Seedlip Spice 94 Non-Alcoholic Spirit: The Seedlip Spice spirit tasted even milder than the Garden flavor. I did enjoy its blend of allspice and cardamom when it was combined (in almost equal ratio) with ginger beer, but I found that I could nearly replicate its taste with a drop or two of aromatic bitters.
  • Curious Elixirs No. 2 Nonalcoholic Spicy Pineapple Ginger Margarita: This take on a prepared spicy margarita was under-carbonated for my liking; it felt more like a sparkling drink that had gone flat. I would have also preferred more pineapple sweetness to temper the sharp pungency from the ginger and chile extracts. 
  • Lyre’s Italian Orange Non-Alcoholic Spirit: This aperitivo was meant to be a Campari dupe, but it lacked bitterness and complexity to balance its fruity sweetness. It reminded me more of a soda syrup than a proper apéritif.
  • Lyre’s Italian Dry London Spirit: I had high hopes for a juniper-forward gin alternative, but it tasted more like jasmine-scented water. It was subtle when tasted alone and indistinguishable when mixed with tonic.

FAQs

What are nonalcoholic spirits?

Nonalcoholic spirits are zero-proof alternatives to liquors, apéritifs, and other alcohol-containing drinks. They can be sipped straight, poured over ice, or combined with mixers. Nonalcoholic drinks are ideal for anyone who prefers to avoid or limit alcohol due to health, lifestyle, or flavor preferences. 

Do nonalcoholic drinks really have no alcohol?

According to federal regulations, beverages containing 0.5% of alcohol by volume or less can be labeled as nonalcoholic. Some liquor alternatives, like Seedlip, contain minuscule amounts of alcohol (comparable to the amount you might consume in a glass of apple juice) because it helps extract flavors from botanicals. Other nonalcoholic drinks may have traces because they were made via reverse distillation, which removes alcohol from traditionally made liquors, wine, or beer. If you are looking for actual zero-proof beverages, check the manufacturer’s FAQs before drinking or look for products labeled as “alcohol-free.” 

Are adaptogenic drinks safe?

Adaptogenic drinks contain plant-based ingredients (like ginseng, guayusa, or schisandra berries) designed to create specific effects for the drinker. They are believed to help balance stress responses, moods, and energy levels, amongst other things. While adaptogens are considered nontoxic in normal amounts, research is limited, and the FDA doesn’t regulate their usage. They can have side effects like gastrointestinal discomfort and may not be suitable for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, have health conditions, or are on prescription medications. If you have any concerns, talk to your doctor before you eat or drink any adaptogenic products. 

Why We’re the Experts

  • Ashlee Redger is a food writer who has been reviewing equipment for Serious Eats since 2022. She has interned at America’s Test Kitchen, created consumer products and restaurant menus for national brands, and developed hundreds of recipes for home cooks.
  • She has written many reviews for Serious Eats, including Nespresso machines and matcha powders.
  • For this review, Ashlee tried 18 nonalcoholic cocktails, apéritifs, and spirit alternatives to find the best ones for sipping, mixing, and sharing.
  • We’ve also reviewed the best nonalcoholic beers and wines.



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