Society has become increasingly concerned about health lately, with lots of people embracing sobriety as a lifestyle choice. In fact, around 30% of young adults in the UK don't drink at all! This has inspired innovators, bartenders, and botanists worldwide to create booze-free alternatives that won't leave you nursing a two-day hangover once the party's over.
Now that the alcohol-free spirit industry is booming, the options are almost endless - so it can be difficult to know what to pick. We've created this buying guide to help you decide, sharing the best products from Amazon, John Lewis, Tesco, and Waitrose. Our recommendations include gluten-free gin, sugar-free rum, and vegan Campari alternatives from top brands like Seedlip and Three Spirits. Read on to discover your new favourite drink!
Quick List - Top Alcohol-Free Spirits
A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. We are constantly creating new content to provide the best shopping experience from choosing ‘cosmetics’ to ‘food and drink’, ‘home appliances’ to ‘kids and baby’ products, reaching users all across the United Kingdom.
Table of Contents
For an alcohol-free spirit to come close to the distinctive taste of gin, it'll need to have a light but slightly tart and herbaceous flavour. You'll want to make sure it also carries that signature warming sensation that you get from a proper gulp of gin, just to make the experience feel as authentic as possible.
If you're partial to a fizzy spritz on a hot summer's day or a sophisticated Negroni adorned with a slice of orange peel, try an alcohol-free Campari alternative. The perfect balance between bitter and sweet, with layers of varying flavours from cherry and clove to orange.
With a typical ABV of 48%, Campari is a strong spirit - to say the least! By trying a booze-free version, you can experience all of the yummy flavours without the hangover. Plus, out of all the spirit substitutes available, the alcohol-free version of Campari is probably the most similar to the original.
When it comes to rum, you'll be looking for a bevvy that can replicate the exotic, spiced flavour that we all know and love! As regular rum is made from distilled cane sugar and aged in wooden barrels, you'll want something with a sweet yet oaky taste.
Many non-alcoholic brands use delicate notes of Madagascan vanilla and oakwood to reproduce the flavour of a traditional rum barrel. For a dark rum, apples are often mushed down into a pulp and added in too.
Another popular spirit, especially when it comes to cocktails and martinis; coming in two forms - dry and sweet - it is essentially an aromatic wine. An alcohol-free version is typically made with the same quality of wine that's used to make standard vermouths so, in theory, they should taste very similar. The alcohol is then removed from the liquid, which is infused with a range of botanicals and herbs to preserve the flavour.
Vermouth can also be made in a different way that doesn't require coming into contact with alcohol at all. Instead of keeping the wine at the correct temperature for fermentation, it's stored at a much lower temperature in order to stop this process from happening. The result is a tasty aromatic spirit with none of the booze content!
If you usually opt for a sweet cocktail, we recommend a bottle of non-alcoholic spirit based around fresh fruits and berries such as pineapple, cherries, or raspberries. These will often contain floral notes like rose and hibiscus too, to balance out the flavour. These kinds of alcohol can be mixed with a variety of juices, added to soda or tonic, or topped with berries for an extra sweet treat!
Those who tend to lean towards more bitter, sharp drinks such as a gin and tonic, vodka and lime, or a whisky sour should choose a spirit that features added citrus notes like lemon or lime. These are often complemented by herby, botanical flavours like aromatic sage, coriander, rosemary, or lemongrass and go perfectly with dinner as they're not too sweet.
Lastly, if you're prone to ordering a darker choice of spirit such as rum or whisky, seek out an alcohol-free alternative with deep flavours and warming spices like peppercorn, cardamom, and ginger. For an even more delicious taste, opt for a bottle that includes raisin or vanilla bean. These soft flavours complement the smokey notes really well, giving the tipple a smooth finish.
Somewhat confusingly, just because a bottle is labelled as "alcohol-free", this doesn't necessarily mean that it contains no booze at all. Non-alcoholic spirits are permitted to be labelled as such as long as they have an ABV of 0.5% or less - which isn't much, but it's still alcohol!
Such a small percentage of booze won't be enough to give you a hangover, so if you're simply trying to cut down then it probably won't bother you. However, if you have allergies or religious beliefs that forbid alcohol consumption, it won't do. Make sure you check the bottle for the ABV percentage just in case!
For more alcohol alternatives, check out our guides on the best alcohol-free wines, alcohol-free beers and ginger beers!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Three Spirit Livener | ![]() | Get a Boozy Buzz Without the Alcohol | |
2 | Æcorn Dry White Non-Alcoholic Spritz | ![]() | An Aromatic Option With a Crisp Finish | |
3 | Torino Italia Martini Vibrante | ![]() | Affordable and Authentic-Tasting | |
4 | Seedlip Garden 108 | ![]() | Earthy, Fresh, and Sophisticated | |
5 | Everleaf Forest | ![]() | A Vibrant Bevvy With 14 Botanicals | |
6 | Caleño Light & Zesty | ![]() | Add a Refreshing Colombian Twist to Your Tonic | |
7 | Lyre's Italian Orange | ![]() | Ideal for Making Mocktails | |
8 | Salcombe Distilling Co. New London Light | ![]() | A Herby Blend That's Reminiscent of Gin | |
9 | Strykk Not Rum | ![]() | Dark, Spicy, and Delicious | |
10 | Ceder's Pink Rose | ![]() | A Sweet, Floral Alternative to Flavoured Gin |
Three Spirits doesn't try to replicate one particular spirit - instead, it's a unique blend of ingredients that aims to give you the same buzz that you get from booze. It incorporates plants and botanicals that have been traditionally used in ceremonies, potions, and medicine for hundreds of years.
Guayusa, guava leaf, and green tea will leave you feeling energised, while grapefruit, peppercorn, and ginger provide a spicy kick to finish it off. Plus, if you want to try your hand at making different kinds of cocktails, this drink even comes with a free book of recipes to inspire you. Distinctive, mouthwatering, and budget-friendly - it's no wonder we love this bottle!
Æcorn's dry spritz is another fantastic option for a hangover-free gin. It's bitter and aromatic, meaning it tastes best poured over ice and tonic, then topped with a few slices of lemon.
Botanical herbs, including mint, clary sage, and chamomile give this spirit a light profile with a crisp, fresh finish. It's a delightful drink that can easily pass for a gin, so you should definitely stock up on a few bottles if you love a Friday night G&T!
For a tenner, the Martini Vibrante is one of the most affordable products on our list. The aroma replicates vermouth perfectly, including notes of bitter orange and bergamot. It even has a tart aftertaste, just like the real thing!
One thing to note is that this drink does contain 0.5% alcohol, so it won't be suitable for those who are totally teetotal for religious or health-related reasons. If you don't mind that though, it tastes divine poured over a glass of chilled tonic and ice.
Seedlip was one of the first brands to enter the world of non-alcoholic spirits and it's still one of the top players. This flavour, "Garden", is an earthy, fragrant blend of spearmint, cucumber, rosemary, and thyme. The aroma alone transports you to a lush green space that's brimming with life.
The fresh flavours in this drink make it an exquisite alternative to gin, meaning it pairs well with ice, tonic, and a slice of cucumber. Served in some of the most prestigious bars and restaurants worldwide, Seedlip seems to be living up to its mission statement of bringing sophisticated flavours to an alcohol-free audience.
Everleaf is a well-known name in the non-alcoholic game, and "Forest" is one of their best sellers. Created by a conservationist turned bartender, it's packed full of 14 botanicals, including smooth Madagascan vanilla, earthy saffron, and sweet orange blossom.
The distinctive, vibrant flavour of this drink means that it works well as both an aperitif and a spritz. Garnish with a wedge of orange, add ice, and enjoy!
For a refreshing, tropical alternative to gin, try Caleño Light & Zesty. This Colombian-style spirit comes in a funky bottle and has a sweet aroma that smells as good as it tastes. Distilled from a vast range of exotic botanicals such as Inca berry, papaya, pineapple, and juniper berry, the flavour is complex yet light.
This drink is very sharp, so it might not be everyone's cup of tea! However, it works wonders when mixed into a tropical cocktail or simply paired with a squeeze of lime and some bubbly tonic.
If you like the deep citrus flavours of Campari, this is the booze-free bottle for you! Flavoured with zesty Italian orange and balanced with notes of maraschino, it's a sensationally dry and distinctive drink.
Overall, Amazon customers are full of praise for this tasty beverage but some do find it to be a bit watery and a tad bitter, which is a shame. For best results, we recommend mixing it with juice, tonic, or soda to make a mocktail.
Taking its inspiration from the classic flavours of gin, New London Light is a bold and ultra-refreshing non-alcoholic spirit. Created from a blend of herbs and fruits like rosemary, juniper, star anise, ginger, and citrus orange, the finish is wonderfully sophisticated.
The flavour might be a little too herby and earthy for some but if that sounds up your street, then you should definitely add this bottle to your shopping list! It pairs particularly well with tonic and a sage leaf for good measure.
With most non-alcoholic spirits leaning more towards gin substitutes, it can be hard to find a booze-free alternative for darker spirits. Luckily, we've found this aptly named "Not Rum" from Stryyk.
By collaborating with top bartenders, Stryyk has managed to bring together most of the complex flavours of rum, making this drink ideal for mocktails like caipirinhas, mai tais, or mojitos. Unfortunately though, the taste is slightly more herbaceous than we would expect from a rum alternative.
Cedar's Pink Rose is an excellent choice for gin lovers. This delicious drink is made by distilling a range of natural botanicals including rose, hibiscus, coriander, and of course juniper - the signature twang found in regular gin.
The flavour is a light mix of floral notes and refreshing herbs, but it is incredibly sweet so may not be to everyone's taste. If you like fruity flavours though, it's perfect when poured over ice with fresh raspberries, tonic, and a few sprigs of mint.
Whether you've jumped on the dry January bandwagon or you're just trying to cut down your booze intake, an alcohol-free spirit has the potential to be your new go-to tipple. Say goodbye to hangovers and hello to happy mornings!
Non-alcoholic spirits can be categorised as drinks that have gone through a similar brewing process to their traditional spirit counterparts - just without the alcohol. Instead of distilling botanicals in booze, manufacturers usually use water (and sometimes steam) to infuse the flavours, producing a drink that's just as tasty as the real thing!
Written and researched by Roxy Pratley
No. 1: Three Spirit|Livener
No. 2: Æcorn|Dry White Non-Alcoholic Spritz
No. 3: Torino Italia|Martini Vibrante
No. 4: Seedlip|Garden 108
No. 5: Everleaf|Forest
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Automotive
Baby Products
Beauty
Books
Business, Industry & Science
Computers & Accessories
DIY, Garden & Tools
Electronics & Photo
Fashion
Grocery
Health & Personal Care
Home & Kitchen
Large Appliances
Musical Instruments & DJ
PC & Video Games
Pet Supplies
Sports & Outdoors
Stationery & Office Products
Toys & Games