Whether you're craving a cocktail but have to drive later, you've got your pregnant or sober mates coming round or you just fancy something more than orange squash while riding that wagon, hit up a few of these bottles for a booze-free or low-ABV buzz.
High Point Ruby Aperitif
Why we love it: Forget diamonds - when we're off the sauce, this ruby aperitif is our best friend: tart and bitter, with just the right balance of sweetness. It's made with hibiscus, lavender, wormwood, pink peppercorn, orange zest and pink grapefruit zest, all fermented for 30 days to pump up the flavour. Pow!
How to drink it: With its heap of bitter citrus notes, this lush liquid works a treat with tonic. Mix 50ml High Point with 200ml tonic water over ice, then garnish with a pink grapefruit slice.
£19.99, highpointdrinks.co.uk
Caleño
Why we love it: If you're looking to add some South American sass to your glass, this bottle is the one. This alcohol-free spirits alternative has been described as "joy in a bottle". We think it's more like a bottled fiesta, baby! It's flavoured with tropical ingredients such as Inca berry, pineapple and papaya, inspired by founder Ellie Webb's Colombian roots.
How to drink it: Try it in a Tropi-Cali - 50ml Caleño, 20ml pineapple juice, 15ml fresh lemon juice, 15ml 2:1 sugar syrup and six to eight mint leaves. Shake it all up with ice and then strain into a rocks glass before garnishing with a sprig of mint.
£18, calenodrinks.com
Pentire Adrift
Why we love it: We get excited when an awesome non-alc option washes our way, which this one did at the end of 2019. Here are some facts: It's Cornish through & through, made using plants found round the headlands. Its totally free from added sugar, artificial colours and artificial flavourings, and the guy who created it is an ex-surf instructor. Doesn't get much fresher than that.
How to drink it: For a herbaceous kick, we've been adding rosemary to a Pentire & Tonic. A slice of lemon peel also gives it a zesty lift. We highly recommend you get involved.
£27.80, pentiredrinks.com
Lyre's American Malt
Why we love it: The team at Lyre's have captured the essence of a gently mellowed bourbon, sans booze. Yeah, that's right - this zero-ABV bottle serves up generous flavours of vanilla and toasted nuts, with herbal notes layed in the background. Mixes like a dream...
How to drink it: Give it a go in an Old Fashioned: 50ml Lyre's American Malt, 10ml sugar syrup and a few dashes of Angostura bitters, stirred down over an ice cube.
£23.50, lyres.co.uk
Portobello Road Temperance
Why we love it: How could we not love anything made at Portobello Road Distillery? These guys are the Gs of making wicked booze (we've got most of their gins chilling on our shelves), but it turns out they slay the low-alc game, too. This liquid, created by master distiller Jake F Burger, has been distilled using the same botanicals that comprise Portobello Road Gin’s signature London Dry. It's a journey - literally - with juniper berries and orris from Tuscany, lemon peels from Spain, bitter orange peels from Haiti and Morocco, nutmeg from Indonesia and cassia bark from South East Asia.
How to drink it: Temperance & Tonic is our go-to when we're keeping the booze intake low. On its own, it comes in at a modest 4.2% ABV, but when mixed with 200ml of good-quality tonic (always) it turns into a 0.4% ABV serve.
Quarter
Why we love it: It's not a non-alc, and it's not quite a low-alc... but it's also not gonna have you falling off your chair at the end of the night if you sink six of 'em with tonic. Quarter is claiming the space chilling right in the middle of the full-strength spirits and the no-and-low categories. This 12%er is a lighter spirit, with all the characteristics of a gin (we're talking bold on the juniper, with an elegant hint of citrus from grapefruit and orange) but with with just a quarter of the ABV.
How to drink it: Quarter G/N’s versatility and flavour profile make it the perfect base for any cocktail that would traditionally use gin. For us, it's a vibe in a Lowgroni.
£27, quarterproof.com
Martini Non-Alcoholic Vibrante
Why we love it: When it comes to the boozy apertivo, Martini has nailed it, so it's hardly a shocker that its non-alcoholic equivalent is also bad-ass. Martini Vibrante is just as deliciously complex as its boozy sisters, with a citrusy hint. This has aperitivo hour written all over it, so bring on the boujee olives and breadsticks. La dolce vita is for everyone, baby!
How to drink it: A generous dousing of tonic water makes a perfect pairing with Martini Non-Alcoholic Vibrante's citrusy profile.
£8, ocado.com
Everleaf
Why we love it: What do you do when you're a conservation biologist who owns a bar? You create a non-alcoholic aperitif. Obviously. Everleaf founder Paul Mathew is all about that plant life - and sustainability. Turns out when you know your sh*t about botanicals, it's easy to create something which tastes f*cking delicious and doesn't rely on an alcoholic buzz to catch a drinkers eye. There are three flavours in the range; Forest is the OG, made with 14 bittersweet botanicals that find their home in the woods (think cassia bark, orange blossom and gentian); then you've got Marine, which gets its round umami flavour from seaweed, plus a subtle gin vibe thanks to a hit of juniper; finally, you've got Mountain, which brings piney-fresh and floral notes to the party with rosehip and cherry blossom. Hangover who?
How to drink it: Everleaf Forest is brimming with botanicals that give it a tropical forest smell and a wild 'n juicy taste, and all of that makes for a pretty epic year-round Spritz.
£15.20, everleafdrinks.com
New London Light First Light
Why we love it: When you're based by the sea, you're always gonna make waves when you bring out a new product. That's what the Salcombe Gin crew have done with this new bottle inspired by the heritage of their London dry gin and all their gin-making principles (if you've tried any of their gins, you know they know what they're doing there). Naturally, you'll find juniper kicking around, along with zesty ginger and habanero capsicum for a bite. It's a balanced beauty with plenty of citrus and floral notes going on. Delish.
How to drink it: To bring out the tangy citrus and spicy ginger notes of this liquid, try it in a Becalmed cocktail: stir together 50ml New London Light, 10ml agave syrup, 15ml lime juice and 100ml coconut water, then garnish with a slice of pineapple and star anise.
£25, salcombegin.co.uk
Nine Elms
Why we love it: Sometimes food just doesn't taste as good without a drink by its side. Non-alc No. 18 by Nine Elms has been designed to complement good food, and it's as complex and balanced as a Fleetwood Mac album. Like the best of 'em, they've taken this down the botanical road with 20 different flowers, herbs, spices and the juices of four types of berry.
How to drink it: This one's easy to pair with a sh*t loada diferent dishes. Mix it into a cocktail or serve it straight like we do - it might look like red vino, but you won't have that headache the next day.
£19, masterofmalt.com
Three Spirit Social Elixir
Why we love it: This plant-powered sip combines eleven herbs and plants which have naturally blissful qualities of their own. It's bittersweet with a curious savoury bite. And then there's the effect - you know that kinda giddy, kinda talkative feeling you get after two cocktails? This concoction is meant to get you there, booze-free. Oh, and did we mention it was created by the OG founder of BarChick? Hell yeah!
How to drink it: Try it in a herbal stimulant. Based on the Espresso Martini, it's the perfect pick me up. Social Elixir charged with espresso, now that's a party in a glass right there. 50ml Social Elixir, 25ml espresso strength coffee, 7.5ml (a teaspoon and a half) of maple syrup. Add all ingredients to an ice-filled cocktail shaker and shake HARD until ice-cold and fine strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with grated raw cocoa beans.
£24.99, threespiritdrinks.com
Seedlip
Why we love it: Seedlip was the world’s first distilled non-alcoholic spirit. This brand uses herbal remedies (no, not those herbal remedies) and distillation techniques that date back to the mid-16th century (old school). In layman's terms, it's pretty much made the same way as gin, but it's NOT gin. Creator Ben Branson combined six botanicals to make Seedlip: allspice, grapefruit, lemon peel, cardamom, American oak and cascarilla bark. Not a juniper berry in sight.
How to drink it: Give it a go in a MartiNO, a non-alc take on a Martini. See what they did there? Mix 40ml of Seedlip Garden 108 and Æcorn Dry over ice, then strain into a coupe. Garnish with an olive.
£26, seedlipdrinks.com
Ceder's
Why we love it: Ceder’s describes its range as "alt-gin", so if that's the spirit you're craving, this is the one to go for. It was created by hubby and wife pair Craig and Maria when Maria was preggo and missed the "sophisticated" adult drinking experience. Apparently, soda and lime just didn't cut it. Totally fair, babe.
How to drink it: It's designed to either be served on the rocks or with a tonic. We go for the latter with the Ceder's Classic. It's the closest you get to a G&T without the G.
£14, amazon.co.uk
Ish Caribbean Spiced Spirit
Why we love it: There'll be no Jack Sparrow style swaying after a few measures of this bad boy. This non-alcoholic RumIsh has all the characteristics of rum, without the balance-impeding qualities of its boozy counterpart. Ish Carribean Spiced Spirit is made from Madagascar vanilla and nutmeg - similar to the notes you’ll find in a typical dark rum.
How to drink it: Try a Daiquirish, with 60ml of Ish, 20ml of fresh lime juice and 20ml simple syrup. Shake it together with ice and fine strain into a chilled coupe before garnishing with a lime wheel.
£18.29, wisebartender.co.uk
Hayman's Small Gin
Why we love it: This is the gin to drink when you want to drink less alcohol. Literally. This game-changing SMALL gin allows you to make a full-size G&T with just 5ml of the stuff. The tiny serving size allows you to reduce the alcohol in your G&T by an incredible 80%, while keeping all the wonderful gin character. Each bottle of Small Gin comes with a specially designed 5ml measuring thimble hand-tied around the neck and contains the same botanical flavour as a 25ml measure of standard gin. This is HUGE.
How to drink it: In their perfect serve: 5ml (a thimbleful) of Hayman's Small Gin topped with 100ml tonic and garnish with a lemon peel (that's a total of 0.2 units of alcohol).
£21.45, masterofmalt.com
Stryyk Not Vodka
Why we love it: We've all followed the siren call of a night fuelled by Long Island Iced Teas leading into the dark pit of a two-day hangover. Stryyk's solution is a combo of the warming spice of capsicum with the cooling notes of cucumber and menthol, which emulates the characteristics of a classic pure vodka but with none of the bad decision inducing alcohol. It's got no sugar, no artificial flavours and no allergens, so you can power through the party and still burn bright like the goddamn star you are the next day. Whoopa!
How to drink it: When we think vodka, we think Pornstar Martini. When we think Not Vodka... we still think Pornstar Martini, but strike the vodka... or more accurately, STRYYK the vodka. Add 50ml of Not Vodka, 35ml passionfruit puree, 10ml vanilla syrup and 10ml of passionfruit syrup to a shaker with ice and do your thing. Pour into a coupe and garnish with half a passionfruit.
£16, stryyk.com
Wilfred's Aperitif
Why we love it: Wanna keep a clear head while soaking up fresh, summery flavours? Wilfred's ya guy. This rosy bottle brings a carefully crafted blend of distilled natural rosemary, bittersweet orange, rhubarb and clove to your evenings while the booze remains at bay. You want natural? This baby ain't just free of the booze; you'll also find its void of allergens, artificial flavours, sweeteners and colours. We think your aperitivo hour just got extended.
How to drink it: It's gotta be a Spritz. Chuck a load of ice into your favourite (and biggest) wine glass, and add 50ml Wilfred’s Aperitif before topping with 100ml of your preferred premium tonic water. Garnish with a fat wedge of orange and kick back in the sun.
£19, wilfredsdrinks.com
Fluère
Why we love it: First off: that bottle is a beauty. Stick it on our booze shelf and we'll happily stare at it all day long. But it's whats on the inside that counts, and that dark, chocolatey liquid hits you with hints of dark roasted coffee, cocoa, liquorice, tonka beans and toffee. Mmm hmm. Its crafted from pure sugar cane molasses, so yeah, maybe you'll pick up some rum vibes - but this ain't rum. It's it's own thing, baby.
How to drink it: Its complex profile means it's good for seductive drinks, and when you're feelin' flirty, the Fluèrito is a peppy number that should get your heart racing. Shake together 60ml of Spiced Cane Dark Roast with 30ml lime juice and 20ml sugar syrup, then double strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with a lime peel.
£21.99, wisebartender.co.uk
CleanCo CleanG
Why we love it: Who'd have thought that notorious Made in Chelsea party boy Spencer Matthews would go and bring out a range of low-booze spirits? Not us. But after a few too many years of going a bit too hard on the King's Road, the reality TV star decided to ditch heavy nights and create a "gin" with 30 times less alcohol - which happens to be less booze than a freshly baked bread roll... whaaaat?! While it can't technically be called a gin (European law states that it must contain 37.5% alcohol), you could say this is gin's healthier, lighter cousin.
How to drink it: Give it a go in the "Clean Club" and wet shake 50ml of CleanGin, 15ml of lemon juice, 15ml of honey syrup, 2.5ml orange blossom water and 4 raspberries over ice before fine straining and shaking again without ice. Pour into a tumbler and serve.
£16, clean.co
Real Drinks Royal Flush
Why we love it: When something is referred to as "the champagne of...", you know it's gonna grab our attention. This particular bottle of no-ABV fizz is known as "the champagne of tea" - now that's our kinda brew. It won Sommeliers' Choice at the Imbibe No & Low Awards 2020, and it's always a top pick when it comes to a bad-ass non-alc alternative to sparkling wine. Expect notes of rhubarb, white peach and a touch of blackcurrant. When it comes to boozeless bubbly, this is the real deal.
How to drink it: Like you would a wine or champagne, baby. Try pairing it with food - it works like a charm.
£54 for a case of six, realdrinks.co