Alcohol-Free Spirits You Can Drink This Holiday Season and Beyond

Consumers are increasingly interested in sophisticated drinks that are similar to cocktails, but without the booze. Case in point? Whole Foods' 2021 trends report named "buzz-less spirits" as one of the top trends of 2022. And if you've been to a restaurant or bar lately, you may have noticed an entire menu devoted to alcohol-free drinks.

Fueled by consumers' interest to drink less alcohol or cut it out entirely, many brands have come out with alcohol-free spirits that look and taste just like the real deal. These zero-proof creations can be used to whip up mocktails, in conjunction with alcohol in order to cut back on a drink's ABV, or, in many cases, enjoyed entirely on their own.

For example, Ritual Zero Proof has a whole line of alcohol-free liquor replacements including gin, tequila, rum, and whiskey. Each spirit, if you will, comes in an elegant glass bottle with a wooden stopper that thankfully won't look out of place on your bar cart. If you're gearing up for dry January, or just want to drink a little less this holiday season and beyond, check out this list of top-notch liquor replacements—there's even an alcohol-free rosé for all of the wine lovers!

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The Pathfinder Hemp & Root

This hemp-based non-alcoholic spirit is made with a blend of wormwood, angelic root, ginger, sage, juniper, saffron, orange peel, wild-crafted Douglas fir, and natural terpenes. The result is a complex drink that tastes like an amaro—an Italian herbal liqueur with a bittersweet taste and notes of citrus and spice. Use it as a flavorful substitute for amaro, whiskey, or vermouth.

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Optimist Botanicals Fresh

Los Angeles-based Optimist Botanicals offers three different non-alcoholic drinks, each with their own distinct flavor profile. Smokey tastes like a smooth tequila, Fresh is reminiscent of an abundantly botanical gin, and Bright can be used in place of a citrusy vodka. Each spirit, which is made using several alcohol-free distillation and extraction techniques, contains between 10 and 15 botanicals. Aside from having no alcohol, these spirits are crafted without sugar, calories, or additives. Each one can be enjoyed with tonic or sparkling water, or used in a non-alcoholic version of your favorite cocktail.

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St. Agrestis Non-Alcoholic Phony Negroni

If you’ve got a craving for a Negroni but don’t care for any alcohol, try the St. Agrestis Phony Negroni. Complete with nuanced juniper, citrus, and floral notes, the alcohol-free drink boasts the same bitterness drinkers of the classic cocktail expect. Plus, the bottled drink is carbonated in an effort to help mimic the bite that alcohol typically provides. Enjoy this drink chilled straight from the bottle, or over ice with an orange twist.

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Pentire Adrift

This easy-drinking botanical non-alcoholic spirit from Pentire is herbaceous, coastal, fresh. It’s crafted from unique plants native to the North Cornwall coastline, including rock samphire and a Pentire plant blend. Go ahead and substitute it for gin in mixed drinks, or enjoy it solo.

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Starla Wines Red Blend

While most non-alcoholic wine brands stick to white and rosé varieties, Starla offers a red blend made with premium northern California Ruby Cabernet and Barbera grapes. To make the wine, the alcohol is removed and the remaining liquid is blended with the finest quality botanicals. In the case of the zero-proof red wine, you’ll find notes of sweet dark cherry, blackberry, bergamot, and black pepper. If you’re not a red fan, Starla also sells non-alcoholic sauvignon blanc, and sparkling rosé.

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Woodnose Sacré Zero Proof

Crafted from family-farm organic maple syrup, fermented and aged in bourbon barrels, and combined with fair trade, shade-grown artisanal coffee, this non-alcoholic spirit is actually best enjoyed straight from the bottle—no mixers required. This vegan and gluten-free offering isn’t sweet despite containing maple syrup. Instead, it boasts a tangy and earthy taste reminiscent of amaro. When shaken vigorously with ice, Sacré makes a great zero-proof espresso martini.

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Spiritless Kentucky 74

As you may have guessed from its moniker, this non-alcoholic drink was crafted to act as a bourbon replacement, and works well on its own or in cocktails that would normally call for bourbon, such as a mint julep or a Kentucky mule. Despite no alcohol, this distilled drink boasts a smooth finish and familiar notes of caramel, vanilla, and oak. While some consumers omit alcohol entirely, others mix Spiritless Kentucky 74 with traditional bourbon to cut down on their alcohol consumption.

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DRY Fuji Apple Botanical Bubbly

This sparkling non-alcoholic beverage was created to be paired with certain cuisines, served on its own, or used as the foundation for craft zero-proof cocktails. The Fuji Apple is warm, yet refreshing, and boasts a bright and juicy profile. Enjoy this alcohol-free drink solo, much like a glass of hard cider or sparkling wine, or as the base of a flavorful fall sangria. Not an apple fan? DRY has other flavors including lavender, blood orange, and cucumber.

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Ritual Zero-Proof Tequila Alternative

Ritual's tequila (and all of the brand's alcohol alternatives) are made without artificial ingredients, preservatives, colors, and flavors. The tequila launched in 2020 and has already received many accolades for its superior taste. In fact, the Ritual Tequila Alternative is the highest-rated non-alcoholic spirit in the world, with a platinum score of 98 points out of 100 from the Beverage Testing Institute. It works particularly well in zero-proof margaritas. If tequila isn't your speed, Ritual also sells gin, whiskey, and rum alternatives.

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Caleño Dark & Spicy Non-Alcoholic Tropical Rum

Looking for a non-alcoholic rum alternative? Try Caleño Dark & Spicy. It's distilled, and like traditional rum, boasts fruity and tropical flavors. More specifically, Dark & Spicy is a rich blend of pineapple, coconut, ginger, black cardamom, vanilla, kola nut, and lime. It's best enjoyed with some ginger ale over ice, but can also be used to create alcohol-free versions of rum-based drinks like a Dark 'N' Stormy and a piña colada.

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Seedlip Grove 42

Founded by British farmer Ben Branson, Seedlip launched in London in 2016 and has since opened an office in Los Angeles. The distilled non-alcoholic spirit brand sells three different drinks, each with a different flavor profile—Garden 108 boasts herbal and floral notes, Spice 94 is packed with aromatics like allspice berries and cardamom, and Grove 42 is citrusy and bright. The latter beverage, which works well in non-alcoholic hot toddies and cosmopolitans, is made with three types of Mediterranean oranges, ginger, lemongrass, and more.

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Surely Sparkling Rosé

Rosé lovers, rejoice! Believe it or not, a non-alcoholic version of the popular pink wine exists, and it's really good. Surely's alcohol-free rosé boasts a light-pink hue and a top you can pop, but you won't be left with a pounding headache after having a few glasses. Surely works with some of the best California winemakers to make real wine and then uses a technology called Spinning Cone Column that removes the alcohol without sacrificing the taste. So, while this beverage still manages to smell and look like a typical glass of rosé, there isn't a drop of alcohol to be found. If you're not into rosé, Surely also sells non-alcoholic white wines, as well as several canned varieties.

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Salcombe Gin New London Light Non-Alcoholic Spirit

If you're a gin lover, the name Salcombe Gin may sound familiar. The British brand makes the spirit at its waterfront distillery in Devon, and launched a non-alcoholic version of its popular gin earlier this year. Dubbed New London Light (or NLL for those in the know), this zero-proof drink features notes of sage, juniper, ginger, and habanero capsicum, and has already won multiple awards for its superior taste. Salcombe also sells two non-alcoholic aperitifs with notes of bitter citrus and olive, and berries and pine, respectively.

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