January is all the time a time for reflection on the 12 months simply gone, and for a way of renewal and optimism concerning 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, which means giving up alcohol altogether, or a minimum of slicing again.
What’s modified, nonetheless, is that this shift is now not confined to Dry January (or Sober October later within the 12 months), neither is it a passing fad. One third of UK shoppers now recurrently select a no- or low-alcohol “spirits” drink when out socialising, and crucially, they’re doing so all 12 months spherical reasonably than as a brief reset.
The numbers again it up. Practically 100 million individuals have been recruited into the class within the post-COVID years between 2022 and 2024, in accordance with the IWSR — with 61 million coming into the no-alcohol sector and an extra 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 international nature of the shift.
The result’s an ever-growing collection of subtle, 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 develop into a totally fledged class in its personal proper, with supermarkets and specialist retailers now providing in depth no- and low-ABV ranges.
From spirit alternate options designed for correct mixing, to trendy gentle drinks and simple mocktails that really feel thought-about reasonably than compensatory, the selection has by no means been broader or higher. Listed below are seven standout choices, and some sensible 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 sluggish, 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 posh, heady flavour profile with actual chew and depth. Served lengthy with soda or tonic — or used because the spine of a low-effort cocktail — Botivo delivers a pure, grown-up various to alcohol that by no means seems 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 undergo 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 shopper suggestions, celeb followers and characteristically sensible promoting.
Most significantly, there’s just about no distinction in style or expertise in comparison with a daily pint of the black stuff — whether or not poured correctly in a pub or cracked open from a can at dwelling.
Easy, 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 wonderful vary of pre-mixed cocktails.
These ready-to-drink mocktails have gained awards world wide and embrace standouts such because the refreshing Gin-Ish & Tonic, the Spritz-Ish aperitif, and the zesty Lime Daiquir-Ish — a convincing, citrus-forward tackle the basic rum daiquiri.
Nicely-balanced, genuinely gratifying, and dangerously straightforward 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 probably the most 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 copy the flavours of current alcoholic drinks. As an alternative, 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 somewhat 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, happening 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 mild spice, is exquisitely dealt with. It delivers the familiarity gin drinkers crave with out feeling skinny or compromised.
Splendid in a crisp, refreshing G&T, however equally gratifying served merely over ice.
Toby & Co. ‘The Inexperienced One’
The Inexperienced One is aiming to redefine what a gentle 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 advanced, savoury and quietly energising. Glorious over ice by itself, or used as a mixer with a zero-per cent ‘spirit’ while 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 basic cocktails, designed to be blended, garnished and loved correctly reasonably than merely sipped as substitutes.
From next-generation gentle drinks to straightforward, 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 basic Negroni delivers shocking depth and is in-built precisely the identical approach as the unique. The fantastic thing about a Negroni is its simplicity — three components, equal components, no fuss.
In your No-groni, use Tanqueray 0.0, Lyre’s Aperitivo Rosso and Lyre’s 0% vermouth. Add equal measures of every to a glass crammed with ice, give it a delicate stir, then garnish with a twist of orange peel.
Bitter, balanced and convincingly grown-up.
The Pal-no-ma
The Paloma is among 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 akin to Botivo, whose earthy, natural notes work superbly right here.
To construct, fill a glass 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.
Contemporary, uplifting and dangerously straightforward to drink.
The Shirley Temple
This candy, non-alcoholic basic predates the fashionable mocktail motion by a long time. Created within the Thirties for baby movie star Shirley Temple, it was designed so she may take pleasure in 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 two teaspoons of grenadine and garnish with a maraschino cherry.
Nostalgic, playful and nonetheless a crowd-pleaser.
