It started as a drop in the ocean. A solitary bottle of no-alcohol spirit appeared on my desk at the drinks magazine I was working on in 2015. It was called Seedlip. I can remember tasting it and saying: ‘It tastes OK – but who’s going to buy it?’
The answer to that question was: everyone. That drop in the ocean became a tidal wave, carried along by demand from drinkers who didn’t know they needed a quality alcohol-free alternative until they were given one.
They were joined by people who simply don’t want to drink alcohol as a lifestyle choice or because of their religious beliefs. And then there were people who needed to cut down or cut out for health reasons.
No booze is booming
Fast-forward two decades and not only is no/low an established drinks category, but it’s growing at an astonishing pace.
You can find no- and low-alcohol products in every supermarket and corner shop. Restaurants, bars and pubs list zero-alcohol options on their drinks lists. There are even dedicated alcohol-free drinking venues.
Research conducted last year by research body Kantar revealed that 22 million adults (45% of us) are attempting to moderate their alcohol intake (Alcovision, data to 30.06.2024). Of those people, 11% say they regularly choose no/low options. That’s double the number from five years ago (Alcovision, data to 31.09.2023).
Going global
This shift is reflected in figures from the No- and Low-Alcohol Strategic Study 2024, carried out by alcohol data analyst IWSR. It looked at drinking habits in 10 key markets: Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Spain, South Africa, the UK and the US.
According to the IWSR, the total no/low alcohol segment grew by 47% in the UK from 2022 to 2023. Low-alcohol volume sales almost doubled in 2023 and the IWSR predicts further growth over the next few years.
Globally the no/low category had a value of over US$13bn (£10bn) in 2024. That figure is up from US$7.8bn (£6.4bn) in 2018.
This growth looks set to continue as well. The IWSR predicts that no/low volume will increase at a rate of 4% by 2028 in the key markets. Predictions for the UK are slightly ahead of the global figure at 8%.
Spoilt for choice
Clearly there are a lot of no/low drinks around – ranging from beer and cider to wine and spirits. In fact the choice can be overwhelming. So if you’re sober-curious, where should you start?
Well, there are three main types of booze-free drinks to choose from.
First are the bottles that are mimicking or inspired by alcoholic equivalents. This includes big names such as Tanqueray 0.0 and Beefeater 0.0. They’re a reassuring choice for people who usually drink alcohol and like the familiarity of dependable brand names.
Second are the traditional drinks styles that have always been alcohol-free. This category includes kombucha, kefir and shrubs.
Third are drinks that are totally different to anything that’s gone before. No/low is one of the most innovative categories out there. It’s being driven by creators outside the drinks industry, as much as by traditional distillers (for example Ben Branson, creator of Seedlip, was running a design agency when he had his eureka moment).
Credit: Louise Haywood-Schiefer
Time to explore…
As someone who writes about wines and spirits, I’ve been lucky enough to try zero-alcohol drinks in all of these categories. Whether I’m tasting a drink with or without alcohol, I’m always guided by flavour. I ask myself: does this bring my palate joy? Do I want another sip? A glass? A whole bottle? With the drinks I’ve chosen below, the answer is a resounding: Yes! So grab a glass and get stuck into some alcohol-free imbibing this summer.
The best alcohol-free drinks for summer to try
Agua de Madre Lemon & Ginger Kefir Water
£3.80/330ml Abel & Cole
Kefir is a fermented drink made with kefir grains, which are a culture of bacteria and yeast. This makes it probiotic, so as well as tasting great, it’s actually good for your gut! With its subtle lemon and ginger flavours, this has invigorating citrus-and-spice zing, making it a perfect pick-me-up on hot days. Even better, because it’s water-based it’s naturally light and thirst-quenching. Alcohol 0.5%
Bax Botanics Verbena
£16.99-£18.99/50cl Bax Botanics, Click N Drink, Field & Fawcett, Master of Malt
Bax is one of my favourite zero-alcohol drinks. It’s distilled in Yorkshire by Chris and Rose Bax, who use organic, ethically sourced herbs and fruit to create their drinks. Bursting with vibrant flavour, the no-sugar range also includes tangy Sea Buckthorn, but Verbena, with its bright herbal aromatics is a great choice for summer. Fresh and sappy, with grassy herbaceous notes of lemon verbena and sage; deeper hay notes linger on this finish with plenty of citrus freshness. Mix it with Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic Water (one part Bax, three parts tonic) and sip away.. Alc 0%
Botivo x Ottolenghi Limited Edition
£32/50cl Ottolenghi
Botivo Botanical Aperitivo is another favourite that can always be found in my drinks cupboard at home. This summer the Botivo team has joined forces with chef Yotam Ottolenghi for a delicious seasonal release. Made from a base of apple cider vinegar, the bittersweet aperitif features a selection of flavours that define Ottolenghi’s vibrant Middle Eastern cuisine: think pomegranate molasses, black lime, cardamom and rose. Mix 25ml with soda water or sparkling water over ice. Alc 0%
Drink Dffrnt Sacred Sprig
£48/12x330ml drinkdffrnt.com
South African Kate Attieh created the Dffrnt range of zero-alcohol drinks, using Cape botanicals, whole leaf teas and kombucha that she brews in the Channel Islands. Complex and dry, with flavours that will appeal to wine lovers, these sparklers can be enjoyed with or without food. Made using organic sencha tea and round-leaf buchu (a type of fynbos) Sacred Sprig is zingy and bright, with layers of fresh, leafy, herbal, citrus flavours and notes of elderflower: perfect for summertime. Alc 0%
Everleaf Mountain
£21.50-£23/50cl, Everleaf Drinks, The Great Wine Co, The Whisky Exchange
The excellent Everleaf range was created by Paul Mathew, a conservation biologist and bartender. As well as sustainably sourcing botanicals for flavour, plants such as acacia and seaweed are used for texture, mimicking the viscosity of alcohol. The range includes seaside-inspired Marine, earthy Forest and pretty pink Mountain, laced with cherry and rose hips. Mix one part Everleaf with three parts tonic to create a pale pink alcohol-free G&T. Or try it in a Violet Mountain Spritz with Artisan Drinks Violet Blossom Tonic. Alc 0%
ISH Paloma
£2.89/250ml The Alcohol Free Co, Wise Bartender
This cocktail-in-a-can, from Danish alcohol-free spirits producer ISH, won a gold medal at the World Alcohol Free Awards this year. Made from a base of ISH Mexican Agave Spirit – a great tequila substitute – with pink grapefruit soda, lime and salt, it’s zesty and refreshing, with a kick of peppery spice to mimic the alcohol burn. A perfect portable serve for picnics, parties and festivals. Alc 0%
Myth Coconut
£19.95-£22/50cl Club Soda, The Alcohol Free Drinks Co, Wise Bartender
Myth is a rather nifty rum alternative that’s perfect for creating summer cocktails. Based on sugar cane spirit, it’s very coconutty with hints of vanilla and citrus. Pair it with cola and a wedge of lime over plenty of ice. Or mix up a tropical Piña Colada (use two parts Myth and one part pineapple juice with a little coconut cream) to transport yourself to a Caribbean island… Alc 0%
Seedlip Garden 108
£21.50-£21.95/70cl Amazon, The Bottle Club, The Whisky Exchange
The world’s first zero-abv distilled spirit, Seedlip was inspired by a book of 17th-century herbal remedies. The different botanical expressions should appeal to lovers of spicy, citrus or herbal gins. Clove-laced Spice 94 was the first launch, followed by Garden 108 and lemony Grove 42. Garden, with its notes of thyme, sage and pea pods, gives a fresh, herbal-edged drink with a crisp finish perfect for summer sipping. Alc 0%
Sipsmith FreeGlider
£20/70cl Amazon, Majestic, John Lewis
The dedicated Sipsmith team, creators of the excellent Sipsmith London Dry Gin, experimented with over 100 ingredients and 189 prototypes to create their alcohol-free spirit – and it was worth the effort. Woody, herbal aromas with uplifting freshness, lead to notes of grapefruit citrus, juniper, dry spice and eucalypt with a lingering pine sap note. Well balanced, it makes a super No G&T garnished with a slice of grapefruit. Alc 0.4%
Sober Spirits R 0.0%
£26.99/50cl, Amazon
Another gold medal winner at this year’s World Alcohol Free Awards, this rum alternative from French producer Sober Spirits is a great choice for Caribbean cocktails without the alcohol. Made from a base of French rum, it’s got the flavour profile of an aged spirit, with caramel, vanilla and tropical pineapple fruit, as well as rhum agricole-style grassiness. Use 50ml to mix up a Sober Margarita with the juice of half a lime, 15ml agave syrup, eight mint leaves and a splash of sparkling water. Alc 0%
