As party season reaches full swing, it’s time to spare a thought for the non-drinkers and designated drivers who deserve something a little more exciting to whet their whistles this Christmas. We’ve tried some great alcohol-free drinks that will give plenty of flavour but without the punch.
Red Zero Alcohol-free Cider
0.5% ABV 500ml bottle
£2
New this year, Red Zero is the alcohol-free version of Sandford Orchards Devon Red Cider. Red Zero is made by removing the alcohol Devon Red Cider, which means it has all of the punch of flavour without the punch of alcohol.
Red Zero is a medium-sweet cider, bringing the best of both worlds to this fresh and vibrant drink. The taste is very close to traditional cider, so nothing has been lost in removing the alcohol. It is sharp, crisp and has plenty of bite. A winner in our book!
Goram IPA Zero
0.5% ABV 330ml bottle
£16 for 12 bottles
If you’re a fan of an IPA, this one from Butcombe Brewery won’t disappoint. Made with the same base recipe as the alcoholic version, this award-winning IPA bursts with flavour.
Hops from the UK and the US combine with malted barley and wheat to create an alcohol-free IPA that beautifully balances bitter notes with tropical fruit and citrus hints. The carbonation is fairly light, but the tiny bubbles give it a nice, creamy mouthfeel.
A great example of an alcohol-free IPA that you’ll be happy to drink without feeling you’re missing out on flavour.
CleanCo. Clean R
0.0% ABV
£16
Launched in 2019 by TV personality Spenser Matthews, the brand began as non-alcoholic (0.4% ABV), but in October 2024, it transitioned to 0.0% ABV, making it officially alcohol-free.
Clean R is set to rival traditional spiced Caribbean rum with vanilla, star anise, ginger and cinnamon flavours coming to the fore. Notes of caramel give a depth to the flavour that will make you wonder why you didn’t try it sooner.
Clean R is a perfect addition to a virgin cocktail or an extra hit of flavour to ginger ale or cola for a spicy tall drink.
If rum isn’t your drink, CleanCo has plenty of other clean flavours, including tequila, gin and whisky-inspired options.
Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla Alcohol Free
0.0% ABV 70 cl Bottle
£15
Tanqueray launched its first alcohol-free gin in 2021, with this fruity offering following two years later. For fans of a citrus-based sup or a fruity gin cocktail, Flor de Sevilla Alcohol Free will be one to try.
It has all the inviting aromas of zesty orange with a hint of bitterness that gives the flavour a little depth. There are a few botanicals in there, too, but the flavour isn’t too punchy, making it a refreshing drink when mixed with a tonic or lemonade.
It might not be quite the same as a traditional fruity G&T, but it’s an acceptable alternative if you’re avoiding alcohol.
Captain Morgans Spiced Gold Alcohol Free Spirit
0.0% ABV 70 cl
£12
Captain Morgans Spice Gold Alcohol Free Spirit is a zero version of the delicious Captain Morgans Spice Gold Original rum. The aroma is pretty similar, with a spicy hit on the nose, but it is a little sweeter than the original version.
Mix it with chilled cola or your favourite mixer and it makes a nice tall drink. Add it to a virgin spice rum cocktail, and you’ll be hard-pressed to tell the difference other than the clear head the next day.
Sentia Spirits
50 cl
£32
We’re all familiar with non-alcohol alternatives, giving us an impression of the flavours of their alcoholic siblings but without any of the buzz, but Sentia Spirits are something slightly different.
Created by British neuropsychopharmacologist Professor David Nutt, these unusual-looking GABA—or gamma-aminobutyric acid—spirits are designed to interact with the receptors in our brains that calm and relax us. In essence, they should take the edge off to allow us to relax in social situations and enjoy ourselves, mimicking the effects of a glass of wine but without the impact of the alcohol.
Sentia Black: On first opening, it has a rather earthy smell to it, which isn’t all that appealing, but mixing a measure with ginger beer toned that down nicely. There is a herbaceous note that runs through the spirit, which, when mixed with the fiery notes of the ginger beer, made a drink that I rather enjoyed, although it won’t appeal to everyone. It reminded me a little of Dandelion and Burdock…
Sentia Red: This is a much more fruity drink, with notes of sharp cranberry and hints of juniper. We mixed this one with an elderflower tonic, which added a floral note, giving a nice balance. A perfectly quaffable drink.
Do they give you that “tipsy” feeling? The night is young, so I guess we’ll see!
Nozeco Alcohol-free Wine, Spritz and Sparkling Wine
From £3.50
Nozeco has been around for a few years now, first hitting our shelves in 2017. The range has now expanded to include still wines and a spritz, which are also vegan-friendly, alongside the white and pink prosecco-a-likes.
The sparkling Noseco has lots of crisp apple and citrus flavours, which combine nicely with a hint of elderflower to make a nice sparkling glassful.
Noseco Sparkling Rosé has a lovely pink colour and those fruity notes you would expect from a rosé. It is perhaps too sweet on the nose, but that fades a little once on the palate. Sweet summer fruits and lots of florals — it isn’t quite a sparkling rosé, but it is tasty if you are a fan of something sweet.
Nozeco Spritz is flavoured with intense orange and hints of bitter citrus. There is a resemblance to an Aperol Spritz in this special edition bottle, which is perfect for a Christmas brunch. At just £3.50 a bottle, it’ll hit the spot.
Nozeco Still Rosé is one of the newest to the lineup, launching in the UK in November 2024. It is pale pink in colour and has a slightly harsh note on the nose, which doesn’t come through on the palate. The flavour is subtle, with a hint of sweetness. It doesn’t have the same mouthfeel as an alcoholic rosé, but as long as you’re not expecting a facsimile of wine, it isn’t a bad glassful to drink.
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