Nota bene: All products in this article are independently selected and vetted by InsideHook editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Whether you’re practicing Dry January, Damp January or just want to know what the fuss is about when it comes to non-alcoholic spirits, today is a good day to dive in. The non-alcoholic world is admittedly small, although growing quickly. On Drizly, the NA category experienced a 62% increase in 2023 over 2022, making it among the fastest-growing subcategories across the drinks marketplace. That said, non-alc accounts for just .42% of the total share of the site’s sales.
Interestingly, about 41% of U.S. adults surveyed last year intended to take part in Dry January 2023, but only 16% actually managed to abstain from alcohol all month, according to CivicScience. Maybe it’s more trouble than it’s worth? Or maybe the only thing lacking in the non-alcoholic drinks space is knowledge. People seem to know if they like whiskey, but do they want to part with the equivalent amount of money on a bottle of a plant-based botanical non-alc “spirit” with nebulous tasting notes?
Things to Consider
- Taste: As an experienced drinker but someone curious about the booze-free market, I’ve had mixed results with n/a products. Most of them admittedly lack the viscosity or depth that you’d find in alcoholic spirits, even if they offer wonderful flavors. Speaking of taste, some of these no-ABV spirits stray from what you’d expect; a “tequila replacement” probably won’t provide the same experience on the nose, palate or finish as a real blanco or reposado. Recognize that you’re going to get something that isn’t a 1:1 replacement for your favorite booze.
- Price: Most of these bottles are in the $30 range, though some are also available in individual cans/bottles and sometimes the bottles are 750ml (fairly standard for booze) or 375ml. There’s not a lot of variance, but if smaller sizes are available, you may want to test those out first.
- Versatility: At their best, non-alcoholic spirits can be served on ice, as a base for a mocktail or even as a modifier in a low-ABV cocktail.
Thankfully, given where we were a few years ago — when it was basically O’Douls and then up-and-comer Seedlip — the non-alc market has grown exponentially in quality. Below, some of our favorite bottles in the non-alcoholic space. We’ve left no-ABV beer and wine for future articles, and while we mention hemp a few times below, we’re also leaving out the CBD- and THC-infused drinks (though we’ve covered all of these before and will do so again).
Review: The Pathfinder Is a Non-Alcoholic Spirit That Shines in Boozy Drinks
This new hemp-based elixir adds an unusual complexity to classic cocktailsMore Like This
We've put in the work researching, reviewing and rounding up all the shirts, jackets, shoes and accessories you'll need this season, whether it's for yourself or for gifting purposes. Sign up here for weekly style inspo direct to your inbox.
