January is all the time a time for reflection on the 12 months simply gone, and for a way of renewal and optimism in regards to the one forward. After the Christmas and New 12 months festivities — and their inevitable excesses — it’s solely pure to attract up a number of more healthy resolutions for the approaching months. For a lot of, meaning giving up alcohol altogether, or a minimum of slicing again.
What’s modified, nevertheless, is that this shift is not confined to Dry January (or Sober October later within the 12 months), neither is it a passing fad. One third of UK customers now usually select a no- or low-alcohol “spirits” drink when out socialising, and crucially, they’re doing so all 12 months spherical relatively than as a brief reset.
The numbers again it up. Practically 100 million folks had been recruited into the class within the post-COVID years between 2022 and 2024, in keeping with the IWSR — with 61 million coming into the no-alcohol sector and an additional 38 million choosing low-ABV alternate options. These surveyed spanned Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, South Africa, Spain, the UK and the USA, underlining the really world nature of the shift.
The result’s an ever-growing collection of refined, award-winning drinks that ship real depth, steadiness and complexity — all with out the hangover. What was as soon as a distinct segment nook of the bar has turn out to be a completely fledged class in its personal proper, with supermarkets and specialist retailers now providing intensive no- and low-ABV ranges.
From spirit alternate options designed for correct mixing, to trendy mushy drinks and simple mocktails that really feel thought-about relatively than compensatory, the selection has by no means been broader or higher. Listed below are seven standout choices, and some good methods to drink them.
7 Non-Alcoholic Drinks to Attempt Now
Botivo
This handcrafted non-alcoholic aperitif is the present zero-per-cent darling of the bartending world. Made in small batches on Lannock Farm within the English county of Hertfordshire, Botivo is rooted in a distinctly gradual, thought-about strategy to manufacturing.
The recipe combines apple cider vinegar, honey and a fastidiously balanced collection of botanicals, together with rosemary, thyme and wormwood. The result’s a fancy, heady flavour profile with actual chunk and depth. Served lengthy with soda or tonic — or used because the spine of a low-effort cocktail — Botivo delivers a pure, grown-up different to alcohol that by no means looks like a compromise.
Guinness 0.0
Arguably the very best zero-per cent beer available on the market proper now. Whereas many alcohol-free beers endure from a watery mouthfeel or lacklustre flavour, Guinness has completely nailed it. Since launching in late 2020, Guinness 0.0 has taken the world by storm, helped alongside by glowing client suggestions, superstar followers and characteristically good promoting.
Most significantly, there’s just about no distinction in style or expertise in comparison with an everyday pint of the black stuff — whether or not poured correctly in a pub or cracked open from a can at dwelling.
Clean, creamy and unmistakably Guinness. Genius, frankly.
Ish Cocktails
Danish producer Ish describes itself as ‘the conscious ingesting firm,’ and it’s a positioning that feels well-earned. The model has constructed a powerful portfolio of zero-per cent choices spanning wines, spirits and, most notably, a superb vary of pre-mixed cocktails.
These ready-to-drink mocktails have gained awards all over the world and embody standouts such because the refreshing Gin-Ish & Tonic, the Spritz-Ish aperitif, and the zesty Lime Daiquir-Ish — a convincing, citrus-forward tackle the traditional rum daiquiri.
Nicely-balanced, genuinely pleasing, and dangerously simple to maintain stocked within the fridge. Attempt them. You gained’t remorse it.
Lyre’s
The Lyre’s assortment of non-alcoholic ‘spirits’ is second to none. With one of the vital numerous portfolios within the class, the model provides convincing 0% alternate options to gin, whisky, rum and even absinthe — all designed to reflect the construction and flavour cues of their alcoholic counterparts.
It’s the liqueur-style expressions the place Lyre’s actually flexes, although. The Italian Spritz (and we defy anybody to style it and say it’s not Aperol), Aperitivo Rosso (ditto for Campari), plus each candy and dry vermouths, are impressively near the true factor.
Add in an excellent vary of pre-mixed canned mocktails and also you’ve obtained a model that deserves a everlasting spot in your drinks shelf.
Seedlip
Seedlip was the primary non-alcoholic model to actually break into the mainstream retail and bar scene. Since launching in 2015, it has grown from a curiosity into a real class pioneer and market chief, serving to to reshape how we take into consideration alcohol-free ingesting.
Crucially, Seedlip doesn’t try to duplicate the flavours of current alcoholic drinks. As a substitute, it focuses on creating distinct, botanical-led liquids which can be versatile, mixable and intentionally their very own factor.
The vary includes three expressions — the contemporary Backyard 108, zesty Grove 42, and peppery Spice 94 — all of which make glorious zero-per cent G&Ts and reward slightly experimentation.
Tanqueray 0.0
Arguably the very best zero-per cent ‘gin’ available on the market — and one with the awards to again it up. Tanqueray 0.0 just lately gained a coveted Grasp medal at The Spirits Enterprise No & Low Masters, occurring to take the Style Grasp prize as Greatest in Class for 2026.
The replication of Tanqueray’s signature citrus-forward profile, balanced with juniper and delicate spice, is exquisitely dealt with. It delivers the familiarity gin drinkers crave with out feeling skinny or compromised.
Ideally suited in a crisp, refreshing G&T, however equally pleasing served merely over ice.
Toby & Co. ‘The Inexperienced One’
The Inexperienced One is aiming to redefine what a mushy drink might be. This debut launch incorporates no added sugar, synthetic colors, preservatives or sweeteners, and is appropriate for vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free life with out the compromise.
A fastidiously chosen mixture of pure components creates one thing genuinely distinctive. Inexperienced tea, reishi mushrooms, ginseng and sea salt kind the spine, supported by English, Alpine and Mediterranean herbs. It’s complicated, savoury and quietly energising. Glorious over ice by itself, or used as a mixer with a zero-per cent ‘spirit’ whenever you need one thing extra concerned.
3 Fashionable Mocktails To Attempt
The rise of no- and low-alcohol ingesting hasn’t simply reshaped what’s on the shelf — it’s modified how we drink, too. More and more, alcohol-free choices are being handled with the identical care and creativity as traditional cocktails, designed to be combined, garnished and loved correctly relatively than merely sipped as substitutes.
From next-generation mushy drinks to simple, spectacular mocktails, these are the bottles and builds proving that flavour, ritual and event don’t want alcohol to shine.
The No-groni
This non-alcoholic tackle the traditional Negroni delivers stunning depth and is inbuilt precisely the identical method as the unique. The fantastic thing about a Negroni is its simplicity — three components, equal elements, no fuss.
On your No-groni, use Tanqueray 0.0, Lyre’s Aperitivo Rosso and Lyre’s 0% vermouth. Add equal measures of every to a pitcher full of ice, give it a mild stir, then garnish with a twist of orange peel.
Bitter, balanced and convincingly grown-up.
The Pal-no-ma
The Paloma is likely one of the world’s hottest tequila-based cocktails, prized for its freshness and drinkability. A satisfying alcohol-free model might be made by swapping agave spirits for a botanical base reminiscent of Botivo, whose earthy, natural notes work superbly right here.
To construct, fill a pitcher or highball glass with ice, add 25ml of Botivo, then pour in 75ml of grapefruit juice and prime with soda water. Garnish with a slice of grapefruit.
Recent, uplifting and dangerously simple to drink.
The Shirley Temple
This candy, non-alcoholic traditional predates the trendy mocktail motion by many years. Created within the Thirties for youngster movie star Shirley Temple, it was designed so she might get pleasure from a particular drink alongside adults at Hollywood occasions — though Temple herself later claimed it was too candy for her style.
To make it, fill a tall highball glass with ice and pour in ginger ale (lemon-lime soda additionally works) virtually to the highest. Stir by way of two teaspoons of grenadine and garnish with a maraschino cherry.
Nostalgic, playful and nonetheless a crowd-pleaser.
