The UK has a drinking problem.
Or rather, a problem with drinking: we’re sipping less of the hard stuff than ever.
According to Mintel, more than half of the young people surveyed (between 18-34) are concerned over the effect of alcohol on their emotional well-being, a worry shared by more than two-thirds of all alcohol drinkers. Would-be drinkers are putting their health first before getting a round in, embracing the concept of mindful drinking.
There’s also the ongoing economic crisis, which means people don’t have enough disposable income to indulge in a session as much as older generations may have.
The other major change? The flood of low and no-alcohol options that are lining supermarket shelves now. There’s a flavour for almost every palate, from booze-free whisky and gin to alcohol-free bubbly and saintly ciders, offering all the fun without the debilitating morning-after hangover. It’s a category that’s on the rise:
Spirits, in particular, are getting into the mindful swing of things with new brands and established distilleries rolling out 0 per cent strength versions of our favourite serves.
From big dogs such as Gordon’s and Tanqueray to specialist producers like Clean Co. and Lyre’s, the market is awash with more options that will appeal to moderate drinkers and those abstaining for faith or medical reasons.
There are also low alcohol options; spirits made with 1.2 per cent ABV or less. For some drinks and methods, a small volume of booze is inescapable but it won’t be enough to feel the effects (or consequences) of its stronger siblings.
If you’re curious to see what’s out there, allow us to play teetotal virtual bartender. We’ve rounded up the best non-alcoholic spirits to wet your whistle below. Keep them in your drinks trolley and alternate at cocktail night to feel social minus the groggy hangover.
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Sentia Spirits Gaba Red
From Professor David Nutt comes Sentia, a new alcohol-free 'spirit' that stimulates the brain's GABA neurotransmitter to mimic the effects of booze - that is, calming, lightness and relaxation - minus the head-splitting consequences afterwards. The drink is made with natural botanicals including ashwagandha to help you unwind, relax and socialise with your mates just as genuine alcohol does.
The red option is slightly spiced and can be enjoyed neat or paired with mixers to create a mocktail. Alternate between full-strength drinks or spend all evening drinking it - the choice is yours. Perfectly calibrated for flavour and effect.
Buy now £30.40, Amazon
Talonmore Drinks Company Limited Non-Alcoholic Spirit 70cl
This vegan whisky substitute is full of the warmth and fire you would expect from whisky - but then, that’s no surprise as it is produced in Scotland by the people who understand the spirit best. It's full of flavour so will fare perfectly well neat with nothing more than a few ice cubes for company, but works equally as well in a whisky mocktail.
Buy now £25.00, Amazon
CleanCo Clean W Non-Alcoholic Whiskey Replacement 70cl
From former Made in Chelsea star Spencer Matthews comes CleanCo, a line of non-alcoholic drinks designed to mimic the real thing.
Along with rum and gin, the brand has this booze-free whisky alternative, housed in a beautiful faceted glass bottle that you'll have no trouble showing off on your drinks shelf.
Designed to taste like bourbon, this shines best when paired with a mixer, like Coke or ginger ale, rather than slung back neat. In cocktails with plenty of ice and garnishes, it's a pretty convincing substitute.
Buy now £13.50, Waitrose
Three Spirit Non-Alcoholic Alternative Spirit - The Nightcap, 50cl
A whisky alternative made with lemon balm, Three Spirits's Nightcap is made to be muddled with mixers. Ginger, pepper and herbal flavours wait inside the bottle and while it's not a dead ringer for Scotch firewater, the refreshing taste is enough to have us coming back for more.
Buy now £22.94, Amazon
Gordon’s Alcohol Free Gin 70cl
If only Gordon’s will do in your G&T, there’s no need to forgo your favourite glass - a simple switch to Gordon’s Alcohol Free Gin will slash the alcohol content to zero while still retaining the same taste you know and love. Perfect for anyone looking to cut back or abstain completely, keep it classic with a measure over ice cubes, a fat wedge of lemon and fridge-cold tonic water.
Buy now £15.00, Tesco
Sipsmith FreeGlider
From gin experts Sipsmith comes FreeGlider, a booze-free and vegan alternative to the OG: talk about a high achiever. Treat the refreshing non-spirit as you would a regular gin - just mix with tonic and add a garnish for a faux G&T so good you can practically see its halo.
Buy now £18.94, Amazon
Ceder’s Wild Non-Alcoholic Spirit
Hailing from South Africa’s Western Cape, Ceder’s is a non-alcoholic gin with a slew of awards under its well-presented belt. Botanicals used have been harvested from the Cederberg mountains and there are four flavours to choose from: Classic, Crisp, Pink and Wild, which brings together juniper with clove and rooibos for a tasty spirit you’ll love to reach for come cocktail hour.
Buy now £15.95, Amazon
Quarter Proof London Dry
If you think moderate drinking is all a numbers game, well - you'd be right.
Take Quarter Proof for instance. It's got around a quarter of the ABV of its stronger sisters at just 15 per cent (regular gins are around 40 per cent ABV), which means four G&Ts made with the spirit are the same as one full-tilt one. Each sip delivers light, fruity notes to the tongue: think orange, grapefruit, angelica, coriander and of course, juniper.
Slower drinking, a gentler buzz and maximum flavour; as the brand puts it, "Who said it had to be all or nothing?".
Buy now £22.25, The Whisky Exchange
Everleaf Forest
There’s no need to long for the refreshing taste of a spritz with Everleaf’s Forest in your drinks cupboard.
The bittersweet tonic is made from 14 botanical ingredients with a complexity that is comparable to a Campari. Try it with three-parts light tonic and a freshly sliced wedge of orange for a serve that’s like a late summer’s night in a cup.
Or, let Lockdown Liquor do the work for you and pick up a bottle of its Forest Picante pre-mixed zero per cent cocktail which adds a hit of chilli to keep you on your toes, £25.
Buy now £19.95, Master of Malt
Seedlip
As one of the OG zero-alcohol players, Seedlip has a tremendous following. The trailblazing spirit is made for a generation that shuns excessive drinking but that still wants to join the party. Choose from three varieties; Garden 108, Spice 94 and Grove 42.
Buy now £21.94, Amazon
Botivo Non-Alcoholic Aperitif
Mindful drinking is a trend that has proved it's got legs. More low and no-alcohol launches mean the choice is growing by the day. A new entrant is Botivo, a boozeless aperitif that has been made in Hertfordshire with botanicals, herbs and spices. The refreshing serve, which tastes of honey and floral notes, will sit pride of place in any drinks trolley.
Buy now £26.75, The Whisky Exchange
Martini Non-Alcoholic Aperitivo Vibrante and Floreale Dual Set
No need to compromise on flavour with Martini’s gift set. The two 75cl bottles of Martini Non-Alcoholic Aperitivo offer the same complex, refreshing flavour while allowing you to stick to your goals. Cheers!
Buy now £19.80, Amazon
Strykk Not Vodka
Vodka more your bag? Give your liver a break with Strykk, an alternative that's been distilled so that it still carries the flavour of the spirit without any of its consequences. Have it how you like: with tonic, with lemonade, in a martini glass and enjoy complex flavours at just 0.5 per cent ABV.
Buy now £15.20, Amazon
Pentire Margarita
Alcohol-free tequila may be hard to come by, but if you intend to use it in a margarita, cut out the faff and reach for Pentire's pre-mixed cocktail instead. Zingy and refreshing, all you need is a chilled tumbler and some ice to our the serve over - or try adding a hint of fresh chilli to bring some fire into the mix.
Buy now £19.80, Amazon
