With the holiday season in the rearview mirror, now is the perfect time to reset your palate. Whether you’re all in for Dry January, giving yourself a few days to abstain, or making a lifestyle change, these non-alcoholic wine, beer, and spirits are perfect for enjoying all year round.
For clarity, non-alcoholic (NA) beverages are made similarly to those with alcohol but without any traces of alcohol. Low ABV (alcohol by volume) drinks, on the other hand, can contain between four to seven percent alcohol.
The non-alcoholic beverage sector has been on the rise since 2020 — when many people were in their homes enjoying an array of alcoholic beverages. As the COVID-19 pandemic progressed, so did curiosity for booze-free alternatives. Between August 2021 and August 2022, total dollar sales of non-alcoholic drinks in the U.S. stood at $395 million, an increase of 20.6%.
“Dry January” and “Sober October” are more than just a 31-day fast. Consumers are more conscious of their health and wellness than ever but don’t want to feel they have to compromise their social lives.
For the sober curious, here are 11 non-alcoholic beverages to try.
WINE
SOVI was created by a husband and wife team who worked in the wine industry for two decades. While their love for wine has never wavered, they still wanted to enjoy it without alcohol’s effects. The wine’s grapes are certified sustainable and come from Northern California’s Clarksburg AVA. Traditional winemaking occurs before the alcohol is removed via ‘vacuum distillation’. The process boils off the alcohol at a low temperature in a vacuum, keeping the wine’s flavors and aromas intact.
750ml bottle offerings: Chenin Blanc and Reserve Red.
250ml can offerings: Sparking White, Red Blend, and Sparkling Rosé.
A brainchild of sommelier Andre Hueston Mack, Proxies is for enjoying with food. Each offering contains quality acidity, body, and tannin markers, but without alcohol. Made with the same complexities of wine in mind, Proxies blends wine grapes with more conceptual winemaking components such as fruit, teas, and spices.
750ml bottle offerings: several red, white, rosé and sparkling options.
Hoping to end the stigma behind choosing not to drink, Sip Clean is made for women by women. Spinning cone technology removes alcohol while wine’s true essence remains. The process uses rotating cones and centrifugal force to transform the wine into a thin film. The winemaker then feeds nitrogen gas into the bottom of the column, extracting delicate aromas and flavors, while protecting the wine from oxidation. Both wines are under 0.5% ABV, eliminating any chance for a hangover.
355ml can offerings: White Blend and Rosé.
The non-alcoholic offerings from Studio Null uses real wine grapes sourced from small family vineyards in Europe, produces wine, and then carefully distills the alcohol from the pressed juice. At 20 calories per glass, you won’t feel guilty about going back for a refill or two.
750ml bottle offerings: Sparkling Verdejo, Blanco Burgunder, and Solo Garnacha.
BEER
Winner of the gold medal at the World Beer Cup, this Denver, Colorado-based Grüvi has created several styles of beer that would make any beer lover rejoice, each under 100 calories. Grüvi beers utilize malted grain and hops and undergo arrested fermentation, which stops the brewing process before alcohol is produced.
355ml can offerings: IPA, Juicy IPA, Mocha Nitro Stout, Golden Lager, Pale Ale. Stout, Weekday Wit (Limited Release), plus a few NA wine options.
Ceria is another Colorado-based brand that has burst onto the non-alcoholic beer scene. With legendary brewmaster Keith Villa (who created Blue Moon) at the helm, along with his Jodi and daughter Catherine, Ceria’s name pays homage to Ceres, the Roman goddess of harvest.
355ml can offerings: Grainwave (Belgium-style white ale) and Indiewave (IPA) — cannabis-infused versions of each are also available.
SPIRITS
Founded in Copenhagen, Denmark, ISH is made with plant and botanical extracts, bringing nuances of traditional spirits that beverage enthusiasts are familiar with. And with more than 40 international taste awards, they are one of the world’s most awarded alcohol-free product ranges.
500ml bottle offerings: Tequila – Mexican Agave Spirit, Gin – London Botanical Spirit, and Rum – Caribbean Spiced Spirit.
ISH also offers canned spirit free cocktails and two sparkling wines.
When founder Ben Branson asked for a non-alcoholic drink while dining out once, the bartender served him something that was far from pleasant and made from mostly sugar. This experience inspired Seedlip, an alcohol-free spirit now behind bars and on beverage menus across the country. Botanicals, spices, herbs, and citrus take center stage, giving sippers an authentic tasting experience and the chance to get super creative with mixers.
700ml bottle offerings: Spice 94, Garden 108, and Grove 42.
Born and crafted in Portland, Oregon, Wilderton uses raw botanicals from around the world. With nods to tea-making methods, perfumery, and spirits distillation, their three expressions are bold and complex, with several cocktail recipes available on their website.
700ml bottle offerings: Earthen, Lustre, and newly released Bittersweet Aperitivo.
The goal of Ritual Zero Proof isn’t to replace liquor but to add a new tool to the cocktail-making kit. Whether you want a Manhattan or to sip it straight, the zero-alcohol and zero-calorie spirits are perfect for any time of year.
750ml bottle offerings: Tequila, Whiskey, Gin, and Tequila Alternatives.
Since 2019, UK-based Lyre’s has become a leading brand in the non-alcoholic beverage space – with its wide range of premium spirits. From American malt whiskey and Dry Long gin, Lyre’s has expanded its portfolio to include sparkling wine and premix canned cocktails.
Offerings: a wide array of spirits, aperitivos and sparkling wines.
