14 Best Non-Alcoholic Spirits And Wines, Expert Tested

If you thought going sober meant bidding arrivederci to your favourite Aperol spritz, then think again. This non-alcoholic alternative has been made using the same time-honoured recipe since 1965 and offers all the bittersweet botanicals and punchy citrus flavour as the higher ABV serve. 

Made for sipping in the Italian sunshine, but, failing that, pour over ice and serve alongside antipasti for a taste of Amalfi – minus the air miles.  

Using a base of orange, lemon, juniper, coriander and angelica root, Atopia Spiced Citrus is packed with complex, mouth-puckering citrus, while a bold ginger backbone effectively mimics the warmth of a full-strength spirit, minus any alcohol. 

We like to muddle ours with simple sugar syrup, soda and fresh lemon for a take on the classic Tom Collins.  

Of all the non-alcoholic gins on test, Tanqueray’s alcohol-free blend was the closest contender to the real deal. It combines the same botanicals used in the original to mimic the same floral flavour, with a citrusy kick and savoury, pepper-led backbone. 

Serve as you would your favourite G&T (ours is ice, Fever-Tree and fresh lime, if you’re asking...) and you’ll hardly notice the difference. Promise.  

Though Everleaf Mountain Spirit is designed with pink gin drinkers in mind, its vibrant blend of foraged botanicals – including rosehip, cherry blossom and myrtle – mean it goes above and beyond the artificial flavours typically associated with the pink-hued tipple. Pair with a light tonic, fresh berries and a sprig of fresh rosemary for a G&T that looks equally as good as it tastes.  

As early pioneers of the no and low movement, Lyre’s range of Australia-born non-alcoholic tipples is extensive, covering everything from an Italian spritz to a coffee liqueur made for naughty-but-nice espresso martinis. 

But it was the Pink London Spirit that stole the show, impressing our panel with its bold red berry flavour and well-balanced bitterness. Top with elderflower tonic for a sophisticated pink spritz.  

If you’re looking for a fresh, herbaceous spirit to replace that bottle of Hendrick’s on your bar trolley, this is it. Seedlip’s latest release, Garden 108, is full of fresh, cucumber flavour, with a hit of black pepper and juniper to round out the blend. Top with tonic for a clean yet punchy low ABV G&T.  

Sea Arch offers a crisp and refreshing combo of coastal botanicals, including samphire, juniper and sea kelp, making it a must-try in an alcohol-free martini with a low-alcohol vermouth like Lyre’s Aperitif Dry. 

The addition of blood orange in the blend adds subtle citrus sweetness, so you could just as easily top with light Mediterranean tonic for a first-rate tipple.  

Born in Cornwall, Wild Life is the brainchild of Ellie Bradshaw, who, having been disappointed by the alcohol-free sparklers on the market, set out to create her own. 

And what a result, for this is light, bright and bursting with tart tropical fruit. A firm favourite for our testing panel and with good reason, too.  

Our winning alcohol-free rosé is the perfect warm weather sipper. Despite packing plenty of fruit flavour – with pronounced strawberry, raspberry and elderflower notes – it isn’t overly sweet, making it our go-to for the long, sunlit afternoons soon to come.  

Here, the initial, intense floral aroma develops into notes of ripe pear and quince with a crisp, citrus bite. Bright gold in the glass and slightly sweeter than you’d perhaps expect of a Chilean chardonnay, it was hugely popular with our panel.  

Craving the fresh, mineral flavour of a sauvignon blanc? This alcohol-free option by Eisberg is sure to satisfy, with its elderflower, honeysuckle and gooseberry aroma and bright acidity. It would work well with herb-driven dishes, like spaghetti vongole or fattoush.  

A close contender to a high ABV cab sav (yet clocking in at roughly half the calories), Bon Voyage impressed our panel with its fruit-forward aroma and fine tannic body. Very food-friendly, the flavours sing with earthier flavours like stuffed portobello mushrooms or a root veg gratin.  

This is a convincing alcohol-free shiraz, displaying all the classic flavours of candied red fruit and crushed pepper, with satisfying levels of acidity. We’d pair this with slow-cooked meats and simple grilled veggies.  

Despite being free from alcohol, this French blend offers bags of rich, black cherry flavour and layers of complex spicing (think clove, cinnamon and black pepper). The off-dry style makes it a dream sparring partner for spice, like Sri Lankan curries or Middle Eastern dishes.