24 Best Alcohol-Free Drinks UK 2024, tried and tested
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WHETHER you’re giving up alcohol for Dry January or simply want to cut back because you’re aware of the health concerns surrounding alcohol, there are now masses of alcohol-free drinks that can help you.
It may seem contradictory to stop drinking wine, beer or spirits only to turn to 0% alcohol wine, beer or spirits, but they do work for many people, supplying that grown-up feel that soft drinks can’t. And let’s face it, how many glasses of lemonade can you drink before you feel sick and your teeth are on edge!
Whereas only a few years ago your choice was limited, now alcohol-free or low-alcohol drinks are abundant on the market, including beers, wines, spirits, ciders and grown-up soft drinks such as Kombucha.
As well as an increase in the range of alcohol-free drinks, there’s also been an increase in the number of people buying them. It may have started with Dry January for many, but there’s a whole sober movement going on, with many people turning their backs on alcohol because of its detrimental effects on health – it’s a depressant, causes and worsens anxiety, is bad for your liver, brain and skin, and can cause headaches, among many other negatives.
It may feel good at the time, but who hasn't woken up wishing they hadn't indulged?
How we tested
We rated the drinks on flavour, how they felt in the mouth, if they were drinkable on their own or whether they needed a mixer.
The taste of any alcohol-free drink is not going to be the same as its alcoholic counterpart simply because the alcohol is missing, so a straight comparison between the two versions won’t work.
We went in with an open mind and looked for standout elements such as herbs, fruit notes, spices and any properties that captured the essence of each drink. It also had to have that elusive something that made it a real grown-up alternative to soft drinks and not just yet another soda.
There’s some confusion surrounding the term alcohol-free beer, as in Europe this can contain up to 0.5% alcohol. However, this is not enough to affect your blood and it’s put into perspective when you consider that most foods contain some alcohol. For example, orange juice or a ripe banana, each contain up to 0.5% alcohol also, while bread can contain more alcohol than that.
The drinks we tested range in ABV from 0.0% to 0.5%, but all are considered alcohol-free.
Best alcohol-free drinks at a glance:
- Best overall alcohol-free drink:
- Best alcohol-free gin:
- Best alcohol-free lager:
- Best alcohol-free beer:
- Best low-calorie alcohol-free drink:
Pentire Coastal Spritz
Pros: Grown-up drink, good depth of flavour
Cons: None
Rating: 5/5
Cornwall-based Pentire distils its non-alcoholic spirits using local, coastal ingredients and in this case, they include sea rosemary, oakwood and “Pentire Plant Blend”, alongside blood oranges, with agave syrup to sweeten
The result is a pleasantly bitter drink that reminds me of grapefruit rather than oranges. It tastes nice neat, but adding tonic takes the drink to a new level, the bitterness of both sides working together to produce a flavoursome long drink.
Coastal Spritz feels like a grown-up drink – the taste makes you want to sip rather than guzzle it and it looks great in the glass. Ideal for parties, picnics or summer barbecues.
Size: 50cl, ABV: less than 0.5%, Vegan: Yes, Calories: 39/100ml
Captain Morgan Spiced Gold 0.0%
Pros: Grown-up vibe, makes for a refreshing long drink
Cons: Very sweet
Rating: 4/5
The fragrance is rum-like and the golden colour is good, though of course you lose the colour if you add cola. There’s a definite vanilla twang and overall the flavour is very sweet, so this isn’t something I could drink on its own.
However, there’s a bitter aftertaste, which is a little strange coming as closely as it does on the heels of the sweetness. Though the drink contains “warm brown spice” I didn’t feel they really came through.
As a long drink with cola over ice this is very palatable and is a good option for a party.
Size: 70cl, ABV: 0.0, Vegan: Unknown, Calories: 2/100ml
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Tanqueray Flor De Sevilla
Pros: lovely orange aroma, tastes good on its own or with tonic, good price
Cons: Orange fragrance doesn’t quite come out in the flavour
Rating: 4.5/5
I love the fragrance of this alcohol-free gin, but unfortunately, it doesn’t quite translate enough into the flavour. That said though, this is one of my favourite AF drinks and I regularly enjoy it on its own, as well as with tonic.
The maker says it “balances the uniquely bittersweet and zesty taste of sun-soaked Sevillan oranges with orange blossoms and the complexity of the core botanicals from Tanqueray London Dry.”
I agree with them – both the colour and the flavour remind me of summer and sunshine.
Size: 70cl, ABV: 0.0%, Vegan: Unknown, Calories: 3/100ml
Krombacher 0% Pils
Pros: Great malty taste, good depth of flavour, good price
Cons: None
Rating: 5/5
This alcohol-free pils from German brewer Krombacher pretty much hits the mark for what you want from a great 0.0 lager.
There’s a depth to the flavour and a pleasant maltiness that no doubt comes from the quality of the barley, hops and yeast used to brew it, as well as from the local Felsquellwasser or soft rock spring water. It’s not bitter, or overly sweet, and leaves no lingering aftertaste. The colour is light gold and it’s fizzy but not too gassy, so it isn’t going to be repeating on you all evening.
Krombacher recommends drinking this at 6°C but I’ve enjoyed it both chilled from the fridge and at room temperature, and both are equally good.
This is an eminently quaffable pilsner that I didn’t tire of drinking after a couple, which is more than can be said for some other alcohol-free lagers I’ve tried.
A refreshing drink that would go down a treat chilled in summer.
Size: 330ml, ABV: 0.0% Vegan: Unknown, Calories: 27/100ml
Wavelength Amber Digestif
Pros: Not sweet, rich mouth feel
Cons: A little too bitter for me, price
Rating: 3.5/5
Wavelength’s Amber Digestif is blended in Cornwall from a base of Cornish spring water and tea, which is then fermented and infused with botanicals and heady spices, such as cloves, ginger and vanilla.
It’s a digestif – so intended as a drink after eating – and you can either drink it straight or with a mixer.
If you like your drinks on the bitter side then this will definitely suit you, for me though it was too bitter.
I tried it with tonic, which didn’t work, but I also tried it with ginger ale, which Wavelength recommends on their website, and found that much better.
Size: 70cl, ABV: 0.0%, Vegan: Unknown, Calories: 41/100ml
Gordon’s Premium Pink
Pros: great taste with tonic,
Cons: too sweet to drink alone
Rating: 4/5
If you’re a fan of Gordon's regular Premium Pink Distilled Gin then I think you’re going to like this.
I couldn’t really tell the difference between the alcohol and the alcohol-free versions once I’d added tonic.
Just as with the real thing, the 0.0 version contains tangy raspberries and redcurrants, as well as the sweetness of strawberries and the all-important juniper and herbs.
It all comes together in a refreshing blend with tonic that’s great over ice and even better over frozen raspberries!
Size: 70cl ABV: 0.0%, Vegan: Unknown
Seedlip Grove 42
Pros: Grown-up flavour when blended with tonic, makes for a great party drink, don’t notice it’s alcohol-free
Cons: Very sour straight, price
Rating: 4/5
Grove 42 is one of three alcohol-free distilled spirits from Seedlip (the others being Garden 108 and Spice 94) and its ingredients include bitter orange, mandarin, blood orange, lemongrass, ginger and peppercorns.
I tasted this neat and have to say I didn’t like it, the flavour was so sour. However, once I’d added tonic water to it the flavour was transformed and as a long drink, I don’t think you’d notice the lack of alcohol.
It’s a bitter, rather than sweet tipple, it’s not something you would guzzle, but rather, a drink you could sip at a party or with friends and not feel like you’re missing out.
Size: 70cl, ABV: <0.5%, Vegan: Yes, Calories: Calories: 1/100ml
Lucky Saint Unfiltered Lager
Pros: Low calorie, no additives, unfiltered
Cons: I found the flavour watery and a touch bitter, price
Rating: 3.5/5
According to the website, Lucky Saint is the UK’s number 1 independent alcohol-free beer.
It is brewed in Bavaria from just four ingredients and is an unfiltered lager, which is why it looks slightly cloudy when poured. It also contains no additives or flavourings and each 330ml bottle comes in at under 59 calories.
I know regular beer drinkers who think it is excellent and one close friend declared it was the best AF lager he’d ever tasted. However, it wasn’t one of my favourites.
While it’s okay chilled, I found the taste a little watery and there was a slightly bitter aftertaste. That said, perhaps I just prefer sweeter beers.
Size: 330ml (also available in cans), ABV: 0.5%, Vegan: Yes, Calories: less than 59/330ml
Noughty Blanc
Pros: Fresh taste, light in the mouth, dry
Cons: Price, very tangy
Rating: 4/5
Noughty has raised the bar for alcohol-free sparkling wine so its still varieties have a lot to live up to.
This white wine is made from chardonnay and chenin blanc grapes grown in vineyards on the Western Cape. The alcohol is removed under vacuum, using a “gently spun cone technology”, says the website, so that the final product contains less than 0.5% alcohol.
The taste is fresh and crisp – though I found it a little too tangy for my liking, more like a sauvignon blanc than a chardonnay. It is quite apple-y and as far as 0.0 still whites go, it’s still one of the better ones I’ve sampled. Definitely best served cold.
Size: 75cl, ABV: less than 0.5%, Vegan: Yes, Calories: 17/100ml
Noughty Rosé
Pros: crisp flavour, good mouthfeel, tastes like regular wine
Cons: price
Rating: 4.5
Noughty Rosé, like its still-white counterpart, is made from grapes grown in the Western Cape and is produced using the same spun cone technology to remove the alcohol. It’s described as “dealcoholized”, which simply means the alcohol is removed after fermentation.
The pale pink hue suggests sweetness but the flavour is crisp and fresh. It’s not as tangy as the white version and has a light mouth feel, which is ideal for summer.
I remember rosé wines from my drinking days being cloyingly sweet but this one is nothing like that; it tastes like regular wine and it has quickly become one of my favourites.
Great served ice cold.
Size: 75cl, ABV: less than 0.5%, Vegan: Yes, Calories: 19/100ml
Gordon's Alcohol Free 0.0% Gin
Pros: Dry, crisp flavour, no artificial colourings or additives
Cons: Price
Rating: 4/5
Chances are you'll have heard of Gordon's. The famous London-born company has been distilling gin for centuries, with hoards of fans behind it, and has now tried its hand at a bold, piney and juniper-forward alcohol-free gin.
As you would with any spirit, pour it over ice with a splash of your favourite tonic for a classic gin cocktail.
This 70cl bottle is only £12 at Amazon, which is a great bargain compared to some of its competitors, and it's a great alcohol-free, alternative to your usual G&T.
Read our full Gordon's Alcohol-Free Gin review.
Size: 70cl bottle, ABV: 0.0%, Vegan: Yes, Calories: 12/100ml
Butcombe Brewing Co Goram IPA Zero
Pros: Great flavour and mouth feel, good depth of flavour
Cons: Price
Rating: 4.5/5
This is a golden and eminently drinkable IPA from the Butcombe Brewing Company.
The flavour is full and rich, leaving a satisfying bitterness on the tongue after drinking. Definitely one you could drink all night in the pub.
Brewed with a combination of hops from England, New Zealand and the United States, this award-winning IPA took the country and gold accolades for the UK in the No & Low Alcohol IPA Category of the 2022 World Beer Awards. Well deserved.
Size: 330ml, ABV: <0.5% Vegan: Yes, Calories: 22/100ml
Belle & Co. Sparkling Rosé
Pros: price, low calorie, contains green tea
Cons: loses its fizz quickly
Rating: 3/5
An alternative to Belle & Co. Sparkling White, the Rosé is made from the same fermented grape base but with the addition of organic black carrot.
The website states: “ Black carrots have an unexpected sweetness and a subtle spicy aftertaste, which are desirable characteristics for sparkling Rosé.” Don’t worry though, the drink doesn’t taste like carrot juice – I didn’t get carrots at all, but rather jammy strawberries.
That said, it’s too sweet for me and reminds me of melted ice lollies – I prefer the white version. As with that version, the fizz doesn’t hang around long, sadly.
Size: 70cl, ABV: 0.0%, Vegan: Yes, Calories: 22/100ml
Belle & Co. Sparkling White
Pros: price, low calorie, contains green tea
Cons: goes flat quickly
Rating: 3.5/5
Bell & Co is different to other alcohol-free wines in that it contains green tea. The website states: “The use of premium green tea adds tannin structure to capture the complexity and structure of sparkling wine”.
The fermentation process is such that no alcohol is produced so no alcohol needs to be removed afterwards, which preserves more of the original flavour and aroma.
While I found this wine palatable, it is low fizz for sparkling wine and seems to go flat more quickly than others I tested. However, I prefer this to the rosé version and the price point is accessible, so a good choice if you’re sober curious or just testing the alcohol-free waters.
Size: 70cl, ABV: 0.0%, Vegan: Yes, Calories: 22/100ml
Sea Change Free
Pros: Dry, crisp flavour, no artificial colourings or additives
Cons: Price
Rating: 4/5
I’m a fan of alcohol-free sparkling wines as I really like the fizziness, which adds to the experience when the alcohol has been taken away.
This wine is made in the Treviso region of Italy from Glera grape must and does not remove the alcohol after fermenting. The website states: “By keeping the must in cold preservation, fermentation never starts, resulting in a product that is genuinely 0.0% volume alcohol.”
The result is a wine that has the bubbles and dryness I love. Importantly for me, Sea Change has also reduced the amount of plastic in its packaging and supports ocean conservation charities around the world.
Interestingly, the wine also comes in a can – albeit a slightly less fizzy version – which is a great idea if you want to take it on a picnic or a day out.
Size: 75cl bottle and 250ml can, ABV: 0.0%, Vegan: Yes, Calories: 27/100ml
Sentia Gaba Spirit
Pros: Spicy, tastes great, relaxing effect
Cons: Price
Rating: 5/5
Sentia Gaba Spirit has been created from a mixture of botanicals that are said to boost Gaba activity in the body. The neurotransmitter helps us relax and reduces anxiety – much in the way alcohol does – but without the alcohol.
I tried the red and black versions. My favourite is the red – it’s fruity, but with a spicy kick, and it’s lovely on its own over ice, or with tonic. It has a depth of flavour I really like.
Serving suggestions I have yet to try include grapefruit juice and passionfruit puree for a Sentia Sun, cranberry and orange juices, and for a Sentia Sour, lemon juice, agave and grapefruit bitters – definitely next on my list.
Read our full Sentia Gaba Spirit review.
Size: 50cl and 20cl bottles, ABV: 0.0%, Vegan: Yes, Calories: 36/100ml
Mahala Botanical
Pros: Dry, spicy flavour, no artificial colours or flavours, zero calories
Cons: not good neat, needs mixer
Rating: 4/5
Upon opening the bottle of Mahala I got the unmistakeable fragrance of cloves, which I love, so I knew I was going to like this.
I was right – it’s great with tonic and I’m told, goes well with ginger ale also, though I’ve yet to try it that way. I found it’s not one you can drink on its own though.
Mahala has been triple distilled and besides cloves, also contains peppercorns, cassia bark and orange.
The name means free in Zulu and as well as being alcohol-free, the spirit is gluten-free and has no sugar, artificial flavourings of colourings.
Size: 50cl bottle, ABV: 0.0%, Vegan: Yes, Calories: 0/100ml
La Gioiosa Italian Sparkling Wine
Pros: Dry and fruity, good fizz, price
Cons: Nothing notable
Rating: 4.5/5
Another contender in my favourite sparkling wine stakes, This Italian prosecco is made from the must of Glera grapes and has a refreshing, crisp taste. It’s dry, but fruity at the same time and is very drinkable.
Hailing from Treviso in northern Italy, it takes its name from the province’s motto ‘gioiosa et amorosa’, which means 'joyous and amorous'. It certainly makes me happy.
The price point is also good so you don’t have to save it for special occasions.
Size: 75cl bottle, ABV: 0.0%, Vegan: Yes, Calories: 26/100ml
Nirvana Bavarian Helles Lager
Pros: Good depth of flavour, good taste
Cons: Price
Rating: 4/5
This is another new taste I’ve discovered over the course of my research and one I’ll be returning to going forwards; this lager is refreshing and bubbly without being overly gassy.
I love the flavour – and the fact there are only 66 calories in a bottle is a big bonus. It’s brewed in East London according to Bavarian traditions and is a World Beer Awards medal winner.
Nirvana also brews a , , and more – all of which I can’t wait to try.
Size: 330ml bottle, ABV: 0.3%, Vegan: Yes, Calories: 20/100ml
Lyre’s Coffee Originale Non-Alcoholic Spirit
Pros: Rich flavour, warm aftertaste, great in cocktails
Cons: Nothing notable
Rating: 4.5/5
Upon pouring this dark alcohol-free spirit, you’re greeted by the heady aromas of coffee and chocolate – delicious! It also brings a warmth to the back of your throat that I’ve not found with other non-alcoholic drinks.
Taste it neat over ice and you’ll get the full flavour of coffee beans and spices in your glass.
However, however, if you mix it with Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic White Cane Spirit, add a shot of espresso and vanilla syrup, and you have an amazing alcohol-free espresso martini
Size: 70cl bottle, ABV: 0.0%, Vegan: Yes, Calories: 64/100ml
McGuigan Zero Sauvignon Blanc
Pros: Tangy flavour but not too sour, great price
Cons: None
Rating: 4.5/5
This alcohol-free white wine is one of my favourites.
It’s dry yet tangy and has a great flavour. It has the same mouth feel as a wine containing alcohol and a fresh, crisp fragrance. Definitely one to try if you’re new to the alcohol-free sector.
It has no artificial sweeteners or additives either.
McGuigan also does a chardonnay, which I'm rather partial to when I can find it, as well as a refreshing sparkling white wine, and a shiraz.
Serve cold from the fridge in your favourite wine glass.
Size: 75cl, ABV: 0.0%, Vegan: Yes, Calories: 24/100ml
Whitley Neill Raspberry Alcohol Free Spirit
Pros: Fruity flavour, herbs and spices really come through, price
Cons: Nothing notable
Rating: 4/5
Fans of Whitley Neill’s Raspberry Gin are in for a treat with this alcohol-free version. I tried it for the first time over Christmas and it is quite delicious.
First off, when you taste an alcohol-free gin straight, don’t expect the kick – remember that the alcohol has been taken away. However, what you do get is the real flavour of the botanicals coming through. This one as you would expect, tastes of fresh raspberries but there’s a bitter push of juniper behind it, which stops it from being overly sweet.
Add tonic and it really comes into its own. The tang added by the mixer creates the taste you expect from gin and tonic, and for me, the missing alcohol is no miss at all.
If you're not a fan of raspberry, you might prefer the also available from Master of Malt.
Size: 70cl bottle, ABV: 0.0%, Vegan: Yes, Calories: 26/100ml
Thomson & Scott Noughty Dealcoholized Sparkling Chardonnay
Pros: Dry, great taste, good amount of fizz
Cons: Price
Rating: 4.5/5
Everything about Noughty screams sophistication; the satisfyingly loud pop when you open the bottle, the dark green glass of the bottle itself, and even the raised detail of the label.
Best of all though is the taste. It is amazing!
This dealcoholised sparkling wine is full of fizz so is great for celebrations. The flavour is dry, which I love, and to me, it really tastes like wine.
It's suitable for vegans and also available in a rosé version, which is also high on my favourites list.
Size: 75cl, ABV: 0.0%, Vegan: Yes, Calories: 14/100ml
Adnams Ghost Ship Citrus Pale Ale 0.5% alcohol
Pros: Good mouth feel, great flavour, price
Cons: a little heavy for me
Rating: 4/5
This tasted heavier than the other pale ales I tried and it had an almost ‘toasty’ flavour, which, though different to what I’m used to, was nonetheless pleasant.
A friend who knows his pale ales declared it tasted like the regular alcohol version and he loved it.
It has the citrus taste of Citra hops, which is blended with East Anglian malt to create a regular Ghost Ship, which is then put through a de-alcoholiser to remove the alcohol.
Size: 500ml bottle and 330ml can, ABV: 0.5%, Vegan: Yes, Calories: 23/100ml
Where to buy non-alcoholic drinks in the UK?
The growing interest in alcohol-free drinking has led to a proliferation of new products and many are now stocked in supermarkets, so you can pick them up when you do your grocery shopping.
It’s always a good idea to check out the website of the brand you’re thinking of buying as it will generally hold more information about tasting notes, how to serve the drink and ideas for cocktails, as well as any special offers.
We found the drinks tested in our feature at:
How much do non-alcoholic drinks cost?
The price of alcohol-free drinks varies greatly, depending on whether you’re buying a beer, wine or spirit. Price also varies between different brands of the same type of drink so the key is to try a few before settling on your favourite.
Expect to pay around £1.50 and upwards for a beer or lager; still wine starts at around £4 per bottle but can rise to £10 per bottle; sparkling wine is slightly more expensive than still, but can be found for around £5 per bottle, rising to around £20 per bottle.
Alcohol-free spirits are on par price-wise with their alcohol-containing counterparts, which begs the question of why when presumably there’s no duty to pay for AF drinks. Expect to pay between £10 and £20 for these.
Are alcohol-free drinks any good?
Soft drinks and fruit juice are all very well, but after a while, they’re just too sweet, or you simply want a different type of flavour – alcohol-free drinks solve that problem.
However, if you’re expecting them to taste the same as their alcoholic counterparts, then you’re likely to be disappointed. Something is missing in them – and that of course is the alcohol kick.
So for example, zero-alcohol gin will have the aroma and flavour of gin, but it will taste slightly different because there’s no alcohol in it. This is a good thing, as manufacturers have had to try harder to create a drink that stands tall among its alcoholic competitors – the bar has been raised and there have been many outstanding alcohol-free drinks emerge as a result.
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How do I drink alcohol-free?
When you’re kicking alcohol, whether that be for Dry January or longer, one way to soften the shock is to make a show of your replacement – if you’re drinking wine then drink from a beautiful wine glass, or if you’re drinking spirits add garnish in the way you would have done if it was the real thing. Janey Lee Grace, the founder of The Sober Club, advises keeping the ritual, and changing the ingredients. And that makes a lot of sense.
It's estimated that almost nine million (one in seven) UK adults will take part in Dry January, so if you’re one of them, you’re thinking of giving up the booze for good, or you’re merely sober curious, then check out our reviewer's list of the best alcohol-free drinks available. There’s so much to choose from and you’re bound to find one to suit you.
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