The Best Non Alcoholic Spirits of 2024

Buyer's Guide to Non-Alcoholic Spirits

There are tons of reasons why you may not want to consume as much, or even any, alcohol as before. When you are pregnant or recovering from injury, even one glass of booze is dangerous. Likewise, you may want to decrease your alcohol intake to give your body a break or just avoid its negative side effects. Just because you don’t want to have an alcoholic drink, doesn’t mean you don’t want a cocktail, though. There are numerous products in the market that are alcohol-free but taste like your favorite cocktail. Unfortunately, not all of these products are good options. Some of them taste like regular fruit juice, while others are high in sugar. If you want to find the perfect replacement for your favorite cocktail, check out this buying guide to learn how to do just that.

Finding Your New Favorite Non-Alcoholic Spirits

Type

Boiled down, there are effectively two types of non-alcoholic spirits: pre-made mocktails and non-alcoholic cocktail components. Pre-made mocktails usually, come in their own individual packaging and are ready to serve immediately after opening – no mixing required. Non-alcoholic cocktail components, meanwhile, should not be drunk individually. These are merely ingredients of cocktails that need to be mixed together with other ones to form a mocktail. Before purchasing a non-alcoholic drink, consider do you want everything pre-mixed or if would you like to serve as your own bartender.

I love being my own bartender and adjusting drink ratios accordingly. Just because you’re using non-alcoholic spirits doesn’t mean you don’t get to play around with cocktail mixers, cocktail smokers, and other fun mixology equipment. I even make low-alcoholic cocktails on my own by replacing some, but not all, alcoholic cocktail components, which is possible with the right cocktail recipe books. Negronis are my drink, but they are high in alcohol content. When I don’t want to have all that alcohol and just enjoy the taste of a Negroni, I replace one or two components with non-alcoholic ones (usually from Lyre’s). This is a great way to mediate alcohol consumption, but do whatever fits your needs and wants.

Flavor

You can find non-alcoholic drinks in just about any flavor, so make sure the one you choose has your favorite taste. The best way to get into non-alcoholic spirits is to start with ones that are the same as your favorite cocktail. Those are easy to drink and enjoy. Alternatively, you can try out a large pack of mocktails that consists of varying drinks. The key is to find mocktails that you like, and that replicate the components of real cocktails that you enjoy. 

Number and quantity

If you are purchasing pre-made drinks, determine the number of cans or bottles you need in one pack. If you are throwing a party where there will be a lot of non-drinkers like you, go with the largest pack that contains 12 packs of spirit bottles. Some people are avid drinkers, while others may not be much used to it. Therefore, you should check the quantity of “liquor” a product has so that you don’t end up wasting it or falling short of it. A large bottle with 25.4 fluid ounces of spirit goes longer and is great for regular drinkers.

If you need something only for yourself and want to save storage space, choose a number of bottles that you can enjoy within a few months. Non-alcoholic cockatiels go bad faster than cocktails, so over-purchasing and wasting are potential issues. If you frequently enjoy mocktails, you can try small cans of 8 ounces. There are also some packs containing smaller bottles of 6.8 ounces. Make your choice after determining your requirements.

Nutritional profile 

If you are allergic to dairy products or peanuts, ensure your beverage doesn’t have it. Mocktails are not the exact same as their cocktail counterparts, so it is always smart to check for allergies you may not normally have. Also, make sure it doesn’t have carbs or calories if you are on a keto, paleo, or low-carb diet.

The Pros of Non-Alcoholic Spirits

• These drinks are light and flavorful. Anyone, including drinkers and non-drinkers alike, can consume them. 
• There are a variety of flavors available, allowing you to choose your favorite one. 
• Since they are completely alcohol-free, they won’t affect your sleep quality, concentration, and skin.
• If you are on a low-carb diet, you can still consume a non-alcoholic spirit if it is free from sugar. 
• These drinks won’t dehydrate you like normal alcohol.
• Non-alcoholic drinks avoid increasing alcohol-related health risks. 
• You can enjoy this drink while driving or at any place where alcohol is prohibited. 
• You can still enjoy your favorite cocktail even if you are pregnant.
• These drinks won’t lead to addiction.
• These alternatives can help you quit alcohol.

Easy Non-Alcoholic Spirit Recipes

Non-alcoholic components can be drunk neat but are much better when paired together with other ingredients. Here are a few non-alcoholic recipes we think you should try:

• Ritual margarita

Take two ounces of Ritual non-alcoholic spirit, 1 ounce of orange juice, 0.5 ounces of simple lime syrup, and 1 ounce of fresh lime juice. Mix all of them in a shaker, and don’t forget the ice cubes. Serve it in a glass and decorate it with a lime wedge. 

• Orange Garibaldi 

This is one of my favorite ways to enjoy a non-alcoholic drink. Pour 2 ounces of Lyre’s Italian Orange and 3 ounces of OJ over ice in a glass. Place an orange wedge on top, or add some soda water (my personal recommendation) for a tasty fizzy summer drink.

The Average Cost of Non-Alcoholic Spirits

If you’re someone who consumes an average alcoholic beverage, then you can find non-alcoholic spirits potentially equally or more expensive than real alcohol. This is because these spirits undergo a special process of removing alcohol, after which, a final safety test occurs. According to our research, you can get a quality non-alcoholic spirit pack in the price range of $17.71-$39.99. Some packs contain only one medium-sized bottle, while others have 4-12 cans.  The final cost will vary accordingly based on the producer and amount.