We’re all trying to make healthier choices. If you’ve decided to limit your alcohol intake, it might feel like you’re giving up a lot. A large part of our social life involves drinking together — family dinners, parties, or watching the big game. It’s a common means of celebration, decompression, and socialization.

But more and more people are exploring sober living, and distilling companies have responded. There’s been an explosion of non-alcoholic spirits, wines, and other classic liquors. If you decide to go dry, you won’t be condemned to a life of overly sweet concoctions. There are many options to explore. Enjoy craft-distilled botanical elixirs and tonics for the cocktail sophisticate and non-alcoholic beers when you want to kick back and simply relax.

Do you feel like giving Dry-January or Sober-October a try? Or looking to make a more permanent change to your lifestyle? We’ve got the best non-alcoholic drinks to sample, whether you want to craft the perfect mocktail or relax with friends over some booze-free refreshment.

1. Non-Alcoholic Seedlip Spice 94 Aromatic Spirit 700 ml

Get a warm glow from an authentic-tasting cocktail. Seedlip distillery has blended the warm flavors of allspice and cardamom into an aromatic herbal elixir with fresh citrus top notes to balance the long bitter finish. Add some tonic or other mixers for a sophisticated non-alcoholic cocktail.

$34.99

2. Ghia Ginger Le Spritz 4 Pack

An aperitif with all of the spirit and none of the alcohol? Sign us up. Ghia has combined appetite-stimulating botanicals with the best natural ingredients to create an effervescent ginger spritz aperitivo. Get your dinner party off to a great start.

$19.99

3. Beckett's '27 Cinnamon Whiskey Non-Alcoholic Spirit 375ml

Turn up the heat with Beckett’s. They’ve created a cinnamon-flavored, non-alcoholic whiskey using premium botanicals. It’s sure to become your next favorite. Turn your favorite cocktail recipe into a ball of fire, or enjoy it the old-fashioned way, straight up or on the rocks.

$13.99

4. Bravus Brewing Amber Ale Non-Alcoholic 4pk 12oz Can

Bravus Brewing is North America’s first non-alcoholic craft brewery. They have crafted an authentic tasting, non-alcoholic amber ale. The brew features biscuit, raisin, and caramel notes that perfectly balance earthy and citrus hop aromas and a clean bitterness in the finish.

$9.99

5. Fre Alcohol-Removed Red Blend 750ml

Raise a glass of non-alcoholic red wine with all the richness of the hard stuff. FRE alcohol-removed cabernet sauvignon has dark cherry aromas, framed by a rich palate of berries and spice, culminating in a delightfully juicy finish. Pair this bold wine with your favorite rich meals.

$8.99

6. Damrak Virgin 0PF Cocktail 700ml Btl

Limiting your alcohol doesn’t mean giving up on your favorite cocktails. Handcrafted in the heart of Amsterdam, Damrak alcohol-free VirGin is distilled from a fresh and flavorful blend of 10 botanicals. With its easy-going and refreshing taste, your G&Ts will be 100% alcohol-free with zero apologies.

$29.99

7. Sutter Home FRE Rose 750ml

Crafted using the same techniques as their other sparkling wines, Freixenet’s non-alcoholic sparkling rosé is the perfect alternative for your celebratory toasts. The attractive pale pink color and a fruity flavor with persistent bubbles will lift your spirits and your glass.

$7.99

8. Boulevard/Athletic Collaboration Flying Start Non-Alcoholic 6pk 12oz Can

There’s no reason to sacrifice the delicious hoppy taste of India Pale Ale (IPA) because you’re making healthy choices. Boulevard Brewing Co. and Athletic Brewing Co. have partnered to craft a non-alcoholic version of your favorite beer with all the juicy flavor and crisp balance you expect.

$12.99

9. Clausthaler Grapefruit Non-Alcoholic 6pk 11.2oz Btl

Calling all shandy lovers! Clausthaler has created a crisp and refreshing brew that combines original Clausthaler non-alcoholic beer with juicy grapefruit to craft a zesty and invigorating flavor experience that you can enjoy year-round.

$9.99

10. TÖST 750 mL

TÖST is a pure and delicious dry sparkling beverage of white tea, white cranberry, and ginger. It’s similar to kombucha and crafted with a refined flavor profile with fewer calories and no alcohol. It’s the perfect, sophisticated non-alcoholic beverage.

$9.69

11. Non Alc Heineken 0.0 6pk 12oz Btl 0.0% ABV

It’s here! A refreshing, non-alcoholic beer that deserves the Heineken brand. Master brewers started from scratch and spent years refining the fermentation process to create a non-alcoholic beer defined by its refreshing fruity notes and soft malty body, not its alcohol content.

$10.99

12. Ariel Chardonnay Alcohol-Free 750ml

Ariel Chardonnay has created a dealcoholized white wine with a distinctive buttery apple and butterscotch taste. These flavors blend deliciously with its toasty French oak bouquet to craft a wine perfect for casual get-togethers or fancy dinner parties.

$11.99

13. Kin High Rhode (500 ML)

This is a non-alcoholic spirit that raises the bar. A blend of botanicals and adaptogens brings on a natural buzz that’ll have you feeling relaxed in no time. Mix it with juice, soda water, or bitters for a stimulating happy-hour mocktail or nightcap. Don’t forget the garnish.

$39.99

FAQ

What makes a good non-alcoholic drink?

Going alcohol-free and seeing “non-alcoholic” on the label doesn’t necessarily mean zero alcohol. Non-alcoholic beer has up to 0.05% alcohol by volume (ABV), while non-alcoholic wine can have up to 0.5% ABV. It may not be a lot in the grand scheme of things, but if you’re cutting out alcohol due to a health condition, it’s enough to have an impact. Always read the label for ABV.

When choosing a non-alcoholic drink, consider the event you’re drinking at. You wouldn’t serve a margarita at your family’s Thanksgiving dinner, with or without the tequila. In this case, the best non-alcoholic Thanksgiving drink would invoke the flavors of the season — think apple and spice, like Ghia Ginger Le Spritz as an aperitif, or Beckett's ‘27 Cinnamon Whiskey Non-Alcoholic Spirit as a nightcap. These would also make great non-alcoholic drinks for Christmas. Non-alcoholic drinks for Halloween take a bit more imagination. Why not channel Bela Lugosi, who portrayed Count Dracula, and try blending a high-quality Bloody Mary mixer with Damrak VirGin instead of the traditional vodka? If you prefer vintage to cocktails, the best non-alcoholic wines are crafted using the same process as regular versions, with most of the alcohol removed before bottling. You can find non-alcoholic wines in crisp white, bold red, and fresh rosé vintages. You can even find some non-alcoholic sparkling wine for toasts and special events. 

Fun fact: non-alcoholic wines continue to age much in the same way as full alcoholic vintages, so you might want to consider buying a few bottles and tucking them away for a special occasion.

You ultimately decide what constitutes a good non-alcoholic cocktail or beverage. In a social situation, your drink choice shouldn’t make you feel like the odd person out, although that may have more to do with the company than the drink. 

It’s something to think about.

What is the most relaxing non-alcoholic drink?

We’ve always found the ritual of mixing and sitting down for a cocktail more relaxing than the drink itself. But for people who seek a little more help in that department, distilled non-alcoholic elixirs and tonics can help you de-stress. These drinks are brewed from botanicals like lemon balm, elderflower, and hibiscus, which have calming properties. 

If you are looking specifically for an alternative to a boozy nightcap to help you sleep, there’s Kin Dream Light, which is designed to be added to warm milk or milk alternative for a soothing drink to help you get some z’s.If you’re having serious issues with anxiety or insomnia, please talk to your doctor for help finding a solution. 

What are healthy alternatives to drinking alcohol?

Finding a healthy alternative to alcohol is as close as the kitchen sink. Water is the healthiest of beverages, but we have to admit that it can get boring. 

If you want a beverage that doesn’t stray too far from water’s health-promoting qualities, you can mix seltzer or sparkling water with blood orange, pomegranate, or lemon juice for a refreshing Italian-style soda. If you want sweetness and zing, grab a fizzy ginger beer. 

There are a lot of non-alcoholic options, both pre-packaged and homemade. Why not have a tasting party and test out some mocktail recipes? Loving friends will support your decision to live with less alcohol or without it entirely. Just because you’re giving up alcohol doesn't mean you have to give up on fun.