Although January is far behind us, the alcohol-free movement is expanding, and fast becoming a cultural phenomenon, marketed as a healthy lifestyle with ever-growing community and support.
This is driven by wellness-savvy Millennials and Gen Zs who make up 73% of participants Dry January partakers in 2022. Although we are yet to get data from 2023, it’s likely to be even higher as Dry January has a retention rate of 77% of people from the previous year and has shown year-on-year growth.
I’m here with 13 of my top picks (tried and tested), from sparkling to spritz to chardonnay… because although we appreciate sober people promoting the best dry drinks, it’s not quite the same as somebody who loves a good glass of red mid-week.
The best SPARKLING alternatives
1. Italy is my go-to for good prosecco, and I’ve found a gorgeous premium non-alcoholic sparkling white wine. Princess Alternativa Bollicine Bianco Dry has a pleasant taste of fine mousse. It’s got layers of complexity and is just a fun sparkling wine with absolutely no alcohol. The product has been de-alcoholised after production, which allows the wine to retain the complexity normally associated with alcoholic wine.
Price? £12.50 which you can buy from ZeroZilchZip
2. Chateau del ISH, Sparkling White Wine Cans have really impressed me! They’ve got white and Rose which I’ve tried. The white has a honey-forward nose and notes of citrus, green apple, pear, and peach and is a blend of Pinot Blanc and Silvaner grapes delivering an initial sweetness that transforms on the palate to a wonderful, refreshing acidity. The rosé is a soft, pastel pink hue with light prickly carbonation.
3. South Australian de-alc sparkling Rose POLKA is another go-to for me now! Set out to create a non-alcoholic sparkling that was much more than fizzy grape juice which would hold up well against alcoholic Australian sparkling. This tipple is the latest edition to their range and features the Australian native botanical Davidson Plum. A naturally bitter, tart, deep red fruit which adds depth to our red fruit characteristics. A super tasty drink in a beautiful bottle, which gives you the spring party vibes with 0 hangovers.
Price? £14.70 which you can buy from ZeroZilchZip
4. Cimicky Zero is the latest achievement of continuous innovation from Australia’s Cimicky Winery’s century-old wine-making history. Cimicky uses traditional winemaking methods and applies the latest patented de-alcoholising technology to craft their Cimicky Zero non-alcoholic range. Made with South Australian premium grapes, Cimicky Zero is rich in flavour and antioxidants. Containing no alcohol and zero added sugar, Cimicky Zero is one to savour by all. Although this is a sparkling Shiraz alternative, red wine is the hardest by far to recreate and although I fear we’ll never find a solid red alternative, this is a lovely little alternative.
Price? £9.50 which you can buy from ZeroZilchZip
The FLAVOUR-PACKED cocktail alternatives
1. Wahaca non-alcoholic Margarita
It’s official. Wahaca has the best no-alcohol Margarita, ever.
Finally, a non-sugary authentic tasting Margarita minus the alcohol. Wahaca has done an incredible job here by keeping up the party vibes. Made with Pentire Adrift, a non-alcoholic spirit distilled with plants native to the Cornwall coastline. Shaken with fresh lime, agave and finished with a green jalapeño and chilli-salt rim for that extra kick of Mexican flavour. Cost? £5.95 – a fabulous price point. You can buy yours in Wahaca now, so get booked in and enjoy.
2. Lyre’s Amalfi Spritz
Hands down the best alternative, if you blind drink-tested me, I’d think this was an alcoholic version. It evokes notes of bittersweet orange & Mediterranean refreshments. Is Aperol Spritz fan in all seasons? Me too!
Cost? You can grab yours online from Brixton Wine Club! £23 for six cans (£3.83 per can), and worth every penny,
3. Mocktails
It’s safe to say that Mocktails have absolutely smashed it when it comes to flavour with snazzy names to go with the fun vibrant branding! The Mockopolitan and Mockscow mule have it in the bag, closely followed by their newest edition, the Espresso Martini mocktail. All cocktails have less than 100 calories and look great in and out of the can. A solid substitute.
Cost? £29.99 for 12 cans or bottles, working out at £2.49 per drink from the Mocktails website.
4. Savylls ready-to-drink cocktails
A lovely collection that includes Bellini, Mojito, Moscow Mule and Paloma. This range is great from a subtle flavour palette, the drinks taste healthy.
Cost? £10 for four cans, which is just £2.50 each and the packaging is just beautiful.
The SASSY spirit alternatives
1. Kahol spirits gin alternative
My go-to gin alternative will be this brand. I don’t think they’ve even launched yet but I managed to sample them at Maya’s non-alcoholic bar in London and was blown away by their G&T, it felt like the real deal. Coming soon… I think.
2. CleanCo Clean W Non-Alcoholic Whiskey
A characteristic Bourbon nose with classic notes, oak and sweet vanilla, underpinned by rich spice, and apple with a smooth finish.
Cost? £16 a bottle, but that’ll last you a while it can directly be bought from CleanCo’s website here
3. Caleño dark spiced non-alcoholic rum
An exotic blend of pineapple, coconut, ginger, vanilla, kola nut & lime. Delicious! This has a deep flavour like a tropical rum and goes very well with a ginger beer or a cola and ice.
Cost? £18 which can be bought directly from their website or Waitrose and M&S
The WINE-DOWN with me alternatives
1. NEWBLOOD Chardonnay
This Australian drink is made with locally grown Chardonnay grapes, and is pale straw in appearance, with a vibrant bouquet of citrus blossom and honeysuckle. The palate is fresh, crisp and balanced. A really solid alternative with a few cubes of ice.
Cost? £11.50, which you could get a decent bottle of wine for, but if you fancy experiencing something a little different, it’s worth the money. Buy from ZeroZilchZip
2. v.no
This premium South Australian white delivers full flavours in every glass. The only difference to other Australian quality white wines? They gently remove the alcohol before bottling it. Aromas of stone fruits and citrus leap from the glass, while the palate is medium-bodied and fresh. A really solid alternative.
Price? £9.50 from ZeroZilchZip
Overall, these options are great for whether you want to slow down, take time off or quit drinking altogether.
The biggest struggle with substitutes so far is the red wine alternative and sadly after 15 bottles (of non-alcoholic alts) sampled over the last eight weeks, we’ve still got a long way to go. Saying that, I’m impressed with the variety of alternatives and also the innovation and design when it comes to cans and bottles, as brands continue to want to give us an ‘experience’ which is what always made the social element fun. Some of the sparkling wine alternatives have corks and that just makes it so very fun!
Written by Kaya Cheshire for Luxuria Lifestyle London and International
