The Best Non-Alcoholic Drinks To Keep You Fit Long Past Dry January

The best non-alcoholic drinks have nuanced flavors so they don’t feel like a compromise. Here are our top picks, from bubbly rose to a high-quality gin.

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Non-alcoholic drinks used to be few and far between. Your choices were either tonic water with a garnish or a fancy mocktail that requires all types of mixers (and a lot of effort on your part). But thanks to an increasing interest in booze-free options—many are catching on to the fact that alcohol can negatively affect athletic performance and make it harder to reach your wellness goals—several companies have introduced new alcohol-free drinks. These mimic the most delicious of cocktails, without the buzz, hangover or resulting dehydration.

Because there are so many options available now, we narrowed the pool down to seven of our top choices, all of which are ideal for health and wellness enthusiasts. You’ll find ready-to-drink canned mocktails and fizzy rosé that are ideal for brunch, but won’t make you want to skip your afternoon workout. Plus, a zero-proof spirit and aperitif to help whet your appetite so you can hit your macro goals. Whatever your sipping preference, these are the best non-alcoholic drinks to quench your thirst in 2024.

This content is meant to be informative, but should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention or treatment of health problems. Always speak with your doctor before starting any new supplement or exercise regimen.

Our Picks for the Best Non-Alcoholic Drinks in 2024:

• Best Non-Alcoholic Drink to Give You a Buzz: SANS Non-Alcoholic Drink with Ginseng
• Best Non-Carbonated Non-Alcoholic Drinks: Seedlip Non-Alcoholic Spirits Trio Bundle
• Best Non-Alcoholic Drink with Prebiotics: OliPop
• Best Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Wine: TÖST All Natural Alcohol Free Sparkling Beverage
• Best Cocktail Non-Alcoholic Drinks: Dry Soda Non-Alcoholic Botanical Bubbly
• Best Non-Alcoholic Gin: Pentire Adrift
• Best Non-Alcoholic Aperitif: Ritual Zero Proof

Best Non-Alcoholic Drink to Give You a Buzz: SANS Non-Alcoholic Drink with Ginseng

Amazon

This canned cocktail from SANS won’t really give you a buzz—after all, it is 100 percent alcohol-free—but it includes ingredients that may help improve mental focus and boost mood. Unlike other booze-free drinks that just eliminate the alcohol, this one has a sparkling water base with adaptogens, herbs and amino acids, like L-theanine, that make the concoction beneficial to your health. Dragonfruit is the main flavor profile, but it also has a hint of ginger for some spice.

Flavor notes

Some reviewers say this non-alcoholic beverage emulates a Moscow Mule, with spicy and sweet flavor notes and a little kick of ginger. There are also some underlying fruity notes, which makes it light and refreshing.

Ingredients

There are only a handful of natural and organic ingredients in this canned cocktail. The ingredient list is as follows: carbonated water, apple juice, erythritol, natural flavor, citric acid, malic acid, organic apple cider, Panax Ginseng extract, L-theanine and stevia extract.

Servings per bottle

These come in a pack of 12 cans. Each can is 12 fluid ounces and one serving.

Similar to seltzer

The ingredients in the Sans alcohol-free drink make it similar to a seltzer. However, reviewers say the ginger gives it some Moscow Mule cocktail vibes.

How to drink

These canned mocktails are ready-to-drink, so you can chill them, pop the top and sip. If you want to spruce things up a bit, you can pour it over ice and add some ginger ale, ginger beer or fruit juice.

Best Non-Carbonated Non-Alcoholic Drink: Seedlip Non-Alcoholic Spirits Trio Bundle

Amazon

If you prefer your drinks bubble-free, these non-alcoholic spirits from Seedlip are an excellent addition to your bar cart. Because they’re alcohol-free, they won’t contribute to dehydration or slower reaction times. Instead, the water base can help keep you hydrated, which is ideal during heavy training days. They’re not meant to be a one-to-one swap for regular spirits like vodka or gin. They’re infused with botanical extracts to create a unique flavor profile that stands on its own. There are three flavors in the set—Garden 108, Grove 42 and Spice 94. 

Flavor notes

The flavor notes are very distinct between the three options. Seedlip Garden 108 combines a floral blend with herb distillates that give it a minty, herbaceous flavor that’s almost reminiscent of an IPA. Grove 42 is light and citrusy, with some zest and a small amount of spice from the ginger and lemongrass. Spice 94 has warm spice notes combined with some citrus and a bitter finish.

Ingredients

Each flavor of the Seedlip spirits starts with water, but is made with its own blend of natural botanical distillates and extracts. Garden 108 has peas, hay, spearmint, rosemary, thyme and hops. Grove 42 combines bitter orange, blood orange, lemongrass, lemon, mandarin and ginger. Spice 94 is made from allspice, oak, green cardamom, cascarilla, grapefruit and lemon.

Serving per bottle

Each 700-milliliter bottle can make about 12 to 14 mocktails, but the exact number of servings depends on the amount your pour.

Similar to spirits

The Seedlip spirits don’t taste like plain liquors, but you serve them in a similar way. Because of this, they’re most like gin, vodka or rum.

How to drink

The company recommends mixing about two ounces of Seedlip spirits with a premium mixer like ginger beer or a bittersweet tonic and adding a garnish like an orange peel. You can drink it neat, but keep in mind that it’s not entirely alcohol-free. It can contain up to 0.5 percent ABV when enjoyed without a mixer.

Best Non-Alcoholic Drink with Probiotics: OliPop

OliPop

OliPop is a better-for-you soda that combines a proprietary prebiotic blend with botanicals and plant fibers to help support digestive health. Each can contains only two to five grams of sugar (for reference, a regular can of soda has 39 grams) and a whopping nine grams of fiber. There are no refined sugars and all ingredients are non-GMO.

Flavor notes

OliPop comes in 14 flavors. There are soda-like options, including vintage cola, classic root beer, cherry cola, lemon-lime, Doctor Goodwin and cream soda. We also love the nuanced and fruity flavors, like banana cream, tropical punch, strawberry vanilla, cherry vanilla, orange squeeze, watermelon lime, classic grape and ginger lemon.

Ingredients

All of OliPop’s non-alcoholic drinks include carbonated water and the brand’s proprietary digestive blend which combines cassava root fiber, chicory root inulin, Jerusalem artichoke inulin, nopal cactus, marshmallow root and kudzu root. They’re flavored with different fruit juice concentrates (depending on the flavor) and sweetened with cassava root syrup and stevia leaf. They also contain a touch of Himalayan pink salt.

Related Post: The Best Probiotic Drinks 

Serving per can

Each can is 12 ounces and contains one serving. The cans come in packs of 12.

Similar to seltzer

OliPop is sweeter than a typical hard seltzer, but it’s similar in the way you drink it.

How to drink

You can drink OliPop chilled right out of the can, or you can pour it over ice and add a garnish. If you want to lighten it up a bit to be more reminiscent of a seltzer, you can pour it into a glass with some soda water to dilute it.

Best Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Wine: TÖST All Natural Alcohol Free Sparkling Beverage

Amazon

If you want a wine-like beverage without alcohol content, this sparkling version from TÖST is one of the closest completely non-alcoholic options you can get. It’s made with a combo of white tea, white cranberry and ginger, with a touch of agave so it’s palatable but not too sweet. Although it’s made with a tea base, it’s not fermented like kombucha, so there’s no residual alcohol at all. The tea is combined with sparkling water to give a light effervescence.

Flavor notes

There are two TÖST beverages: the original and the rosé version. TÖST has a subtle sweetness, with some hints of citrus and a dry finish. TÖST Rosé has a more delicate palate, with a fruity nose and crisp citrus. It also has a dry finish, but it’s lighter than the original version.

Ingredients

Both versions start off with triple-filtered water, but have different main ingredients. The original combines white tea, white cranberry and ginger, while the rosé has white tea, ginger and elderberry. Elderberry’s flavor is similar to elderflower, but a little more earthy. Other ingredients include citrus extract, natural flavors and citric acid.

Serving per bottle

TÖST comes in 250-milliliter and 750-milliliter bottles. The 250-milliliter bottles are about 1.5 servings (but really meant to be consumed in one sitting since you can’t close the bottle once you open it). The 750-milliliter bottles have four servings and a screw-on top so you can save some for later.

Similar to wine

TÖST doesn’t actually contain any wine, but the sipping experience is very similar to a sparkling wine or champagne. It comes in a white blend and a rosé.

Related Post: The Best Non-Alcoholic Wines to Try

How to drink

The best way to drink TÖST is to chill it in an ice bath like you would champagne, and then pour it into white wine or champagne glasses to enjoy.

Best Cocktail Non-Alcoholic Drink: Dry Soda Non-Alcoholic Botanical Bubbly

Amazon

You can sip the Dry Soda Non-Alcoholic Botanical Bubbly as a standalone cocktail, or use it as a mixer for an alcohol-free spirit like the Pentire Adrift. It comes in five flavors, each of which contains only four ingredients and is lightly sweetened with cane sugar. This non-alcoholic cocktail does have more sugar (and carbohydrates) than other options on the list, but it’s non-GMO and gluten-free.

Flavor notes

There are five flavors (cucumber, ginger, lavender, rainier cherry and vanilla bean), each of which has its own profile. The cucumber is crisp and refreshing, while the ginger is bold, spicy and full. The lavender and vanilla both have a slightly floral taste, but the vanilla has a hint of deeper spice. The rainier cherry is fruity and sweet.

Ingredients

Each drink has just four ingredients. They get some fizz from carbonated water mixed with cane sugar, natural flavors and phosphoric acid. Of course, the types of natural flavors used depend on the flavor of the drink you choose.

Servings per can

Each can is 12 ounces, which is considered one serving. They come in packs of 12. In addition to individual flavors, you can also get a variety pack that includes the cucumber, vanilla and rainier cherry flavors.

Similar to a cocktail or seltzer

This Botanical Bubbly doesn’t really taste like a cocktail, but it sips like one. Because it’s light and refreshing, it also emulates a seltzer, but is much sweeter.

How to drink

You can drink this non-alcoholic cocktail straight from the can (after chilling on ice, of course) or combine it with your favorite non-alcoholic spirit if you want a drink that’s a little bolder.

Best Non-Alcoholic Gin: Pentire Adrift

Amazon

If you’re looking for a simple one-to-one swap for an alcoholic spirit, the Pentire Adrift is an excellent non-alcoholic gin. The company is based in the UK, and the drink is made by distilling native plants and herbs in a water base. These give the non-alcoholic gin a distinct flavor, but also add some vitamins, antioxidants and other beneficial plant compounds, like carotenoids and flavonoids.

Flavor notes

Like gin, the Pentire Adrift is light yet complex. It has grass and citrus notes with a crisp finish. The brand describes it as herbaceous, coastal and fresh.

Ingredients

This non-alcoholic gin is completely alcohol-free and made with a combination of rock samphire (also called sea fennel), sage, a proprietary Pentire plant blend, citrus and Cornish sea salt. There are no artificial flavors, sweeteners, colors or added sugar.

Servings per bottle

There are two size bottles: 23.7 ounces and 6.8 ounces. The 23.7-ounce bottle has 14 servings, and the smaller bottle has four servings.

Similar to spirits

The Pentire Adrift drinks just like a gin. Because of this, you can use it in place of any drink you would make with gin.

How to drink

The brand recommends pouring about 1.5 ounces of Pentire Adrift into an ice-filled glass and topping it with light tonic water. You can garnish with a lemon peel or a sprig of rosemary to complement the grassy notes. You can also use it to make a Negroni or a gin-based Old Fashioned.

Best Non-Alcoholic Aperitif: Ritual Zero Proof

Amazon

Aperitifs are meant to be sipped before a meal to help stimulate the appetite. They’re typically made with a dry wine or spirit, like gin or vermouth. This non-alcoholic version combines botanicals and citrus to give a balance of sweetness and bitterness that hits the spot. While it does have some trace amounts of sugar, it’s completely calorie and sugar-free, so you can add it anywhere you would an aperitif without altering your nutrition plan. And, in general, going alcohol-free can support athletic performance, since alcohol consumption can decrease blood flow and negatively affect protein synthesis—two factors that play a role in muscle growth and recovery.

Flavor notes

The brand says you can expect flavors of orange blossom, Victoria rhubarb and charred grapefruit, which give this aperitif a floral and spiced finish. It has the bitterness of an Italian aperitivo and the sweetness of a French vermouth.

Ingredients

The Ritual Aperitif Alternative combines filtered water, cane sugar, natural flavors, citric acid, vegetable juice (for color), xanthan gum, caramel color, stevia extract, sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate (as preservatives). It does have a lengthier ingredient list than others, but it’s gluten-free and free of artificial flavors.

Serving per bottle

This aperitif comes in a 750-milliliter bottle, which is about 17 servings if you stick to 1.5 ounces at a time. Of course, servings will depend on how you use it.

Similar to aperitif

This is formulated to mimic a genuine aperitif. It has similar flavor notes with the dry finish that can help stimulate appetite.

How to drink

You can drink this just like you would any other aperitif. You can enjoy it straight up, on the rocks or mixed into a cocktail.

What Makes a Non-Alcoholic Drink?

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a non-alcoholic drink is one that contains less than 0.5 percent alcohol by volume (ABV). For comparison, beer contains around five percent ABV (but you can get nonalcoholic versions), wine is about 12 percent ABV and spirits are 40 percent ABV.

If you prefer a drink that contains no alcohol at all, you want to look for an “alcohol-free” designation. This means that the drink contains absolutely no traces of alcohol.

Benefits of Non-Alcoholic Drinks

The obvious benefit of non-alcoholic drinks are that they don’t contain any alcohol, but there are benefits beyond that too. Some non-alcoholic drinks have health-supporting ingredients, like L-theanine, probiotics and herbs. So not only are you limiting your alcohol intake, you’re also replacing it with ingredients that offer beneficial plant compounds. Many non-alcoholic drinks are also made with a water base, so they can contribute to hydration, instead of dehydrating you like alcohol can.

Research also suggests that alcohol may negatively affect blood flow and protein synthesis, which can make sports injuries more likely and make it harder to recover from strenuous workouts. Athletes who drink have an injury occurrence of about 55 percent, whereas the injury rate in non-drinkers drops down to 23.5 percent. And hangovers can reduce athletic performance by 11.4 percent.

Alcohol also negatively affects exercise tolerance, regardless of the ambient temperature. In other words, you likely won’t be bringing your A-game to your next workout if you’ve had a couple of cocktails the night before.

Switching to non-alcohol drinks can mitigate all of these negative health effects and potentially make you feel better in general. 

Related Post: The Best Electrolyte Drinks to Keep You Hydrated

Non-Alcoholic Cocktail Simple Recipes

If you prefer to make your own non-alcoholic cocktails, you can do so pretty easily with just a handful of ingredients. Some of these mocktails are made with simple ingredients like juices and soda water, while others require non-alcoholic spirits. Either way, you can have them ready to drink in about five minutes.

Sleepytime Mocktail

This TikTok-viral mocktail is made with sleep-supporting ingredients like magnesium powder and tart cherry juice to help you snooze. It’s the perfect nightcap.

Serves two

• 1 cup unsweetened tart cherry juice
• 2 tablespoons magnesium powder
• ½ cup probiotic soda, like OliPop or sparkling water

Combine tart cherry juice and magnesium powder in a glass and stir until dissolved. Fill with ice, then pour soda or sparkling water on top. Stir to combine.

Margarita Mocktail

This tequila-free margarita has a similar flavor profile, thanks to limeade and orange juice, which gives a citrusy finish without the need for triple sec.

Serves two

• Lime wedge and flaky sea salt for rimming
• 1 cup limeade
• ⅓ cup orange juice (freshly squeezed, if possible)
• 3 tablespoons simple syrup or agave nectar
• ⅓ cup soda water

Wet the rim of a cocktail glass with the lime wedge and cover in flaky sea salt. Fill glass with ice and combine ingredients. Stir vigorously for 20 seconds. Squeeze remaining lime juice from wedge into mocktail and serve cold.

Strawberry Daiquiri Mocktail

This strawberry daiquiri mocktail uses frozen strawberries, but you can replace them with fresh ones if you prefer. Just add a little more ice to get the consistency you want.

Serves 2

• 1 ½ cups frozen strawberries
• ¼ cup fresh lime juice
• ¼ cup simple syrup (you can also use maple syrup or agave)
• ¼ cup non-alcoholic rum
• ½ cup water
• ½ cup ice

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. If you want to make it thinner, add more water. If you want a thicker consistency, add more ice.

Aperol Spritz Mocktail

The Aperol Spritz is having its moment. You can make a non-alcoholic version by combining some simple ingredients.

Serves two

• ¾ cup orange juice
• ½ cup grapefruit juice
• ¼ cup cherry juice
• ½ cup tonic water
• 2 dashes of non-alcoholic bitters

Fill a wine glass or cocktail glass with ice. Stir vigorously for 15 seconds. Pour tonic water on top and add bitters.

Our Methodology: How We Chose the Best Non-Alcoholic Drink

The non-alcoholic drink market is growing by the day. To narrow down the options, we considered taste, quality of ingredients and ease of serving. We wanted to make sure all the drinks we recommend don’t feel like a compromise. Instead, we want you to look forward to drinking them.

We also thought about the quality and number of ingredients. A great cocktail is made with high-quality ingredients and doesn’t have a lot of unnecessary additives. We think a non-alcoholic drink should follow suit. To help assess ingredient quality, we enlisted the help of a functional nutritionist to write this article.

We also considered how easy the drink was to make and serve. While some occasions call for fussing over a fancy drink, most of the time, you probably just want to open a premade drink or throw a few ingredients together quickly.

Best Non-Alcoholic Drinks FAQs

What are three alternatives to drinking alcohol?

Canned mocktails and non-alcoholic spirits are the closest alternatives to drinking alcohol. But you can also try kombucha (there is some alcohol in this from the fermentation process) or sparkling water with a splash of fruit juice to emulate a wine spritzer.

Can you still get a buzz from non-alcoholic drinks?

Non-alcoholic drinks don’t give you a buzz in the same way that alcohol does. If the drink contains caffeine or brain-supporting ingredients like L-theanine, you may feel a little buzz and/or mental sharpness similar to what you’d feel with an energy drink, but you won’t be “buzzed.”

Related Post: The Best Hangover Symptoms

Are mocktails healthy?

It depends on what’s in them. Mocktails are alcohol-free, but they can still contain ingredients, like soda or sugar, that don’t make them inherently healthy. If you want to make a healthy mocktail, find ingredients with some health benefits, like ginger, kombucha, tart cherry juice and/or fruit.

Takeaway: Is a Non-Alcoholic Drink Worth Trying?

Whether you’re sober, trying to cut back on your alcohol intake for health reasons or looking for ways to potentially improve your athletic performance, non-alcoholic drinks are worth trying. It may take some trial and error to find one you really like, but with so many options, you’re bound to find an alcohol-free cocktail that you’ll reach for long past Dry January.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.

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