Whether you're looking for non-alcoholic drinks because you've quit drinking (be it because of pregnancy, wanting to live a healthier lifestyle or simply due to booze seriously taking a toll on your mental state), take a minute to give yourself a pat on the back. Whether or not you're on a permanent break or a temporary one, given British drinking culture is quite *something* you deserve some snaps for that!
Others, rather than going completely sober might simply be looking to drink more mindfully (e.g. reducing their alcohol intake in order to give themselves the space and time to examine their drinking habits) and therefore are also on the lookout for some tasty alcohol-free drink options.
Having previously gone sober myself for fifteen months, before slowly reintroducing the odd cocktail back into my life (but still more often than not foregoing booze), I can attest firsthand to just how helpful and motivating it is to get stuck into the world of alcohol-free beverage options – of which thankfully, these days, there are so many.
During my sober stint, I spent (and tbh still spend) a lot of my time trying and testing huge swathes of non-alcoholic (and super, super low %) beers, ciders, wines, spirits, cocktails and everything in between. Luckily, being on the Cosmopolitan UK team, we're also tipped off about the next big booze-free drinks in advance too, which I'll be sure to keep you all updated on.
These are my current top picks that you can easily shop online:
The best alcohol-free wines
Blurred Vines Sharp (0%)
After putting various alcohol-free drinks to the test, I came to realise that sometimes I missed the energising effect of booze (although not enough to risk major hangxiety, poor decisions and messing up my sleep cycle). So, I was very excited when I heard about Blurred Vines (the non-alcoholic wine branch of Three Spirits - more on them later), which promises to provide a 'pick me up' feeling without any downsides, thanks to a blend of "electrolytes, amino acids and vitamin D for an invigorating dose of liquid sunshine".
I put a bottle to the test on a Friday night when I was shattered after a long day at work – and low and behold, it perked me right up! I hit the club until the early hours of the morning, danced so much I amassed 6,000 steps on my Fitbit and slept soundly. I highly recommend this as a low calorie boozeless option for anyone still wanting to *feel something* from their bev.
Jukes 6 (0%)
Created by wine writer Matthew Jukes, these cordials are made to be mixed with either still, sparkling or tonic water. The 6 blend includes blackcurrant, blackberry, red fruit, plums and spicy accords, plus a hint of apple cider vinegar, equating to a very pleasing kick – perfect if, like me, you have more of a sour/bitter leaning palate.
Eisberg Cabernet Sauvignon Red Wine (0%)
Eisberg Cabernet Sauvignon Alcohol Free Red Wine (Case of 6)
When it comes to non-alcoholic wines, I've found that reds are generally superior to whites or rosés (which are often overly sweet) – and Eisberg, a widely available, alcohol-free brand, more than know how to create a palatable one. Bonus: a large glass (250ml) of this cabernet sauvignon is only 56 calories, if that's something you're being mindful of too. I also highly recommend Eisberg's merlot and sauvignon blanc.
The best alcohol-free Prosecco
REAL Peony Blush Sparkling Tea (0%)
If you are (or were) a 'sparkling rosé all day' type, then why not try something different in the form of REAL's Peony Blush sparkling tea? It's the perfect picnic accompaniment infused with cheerful notes (strawberry, yoghurt and summer fruits) and goes down a treat. I split a bottle with a friend (who's a self-described 'big drinker') and she very much gave it the seal of approval too.
Della Vite Zero (0%)
Created by the three Delevigne sisters and a host of expert winemakers, using specially selected Italian grapes, this sparkling fizz feels fancy in the best way. Perfect to pop at a dinner party, during date night or heck, just on a Friday night (any cause for a celebration is fine with us tbh), Della Vite's Zero offering is a surefire crowd-pleaser. P.S. if you sign up to our (totally free!) Club Cosmo gang, you'll receive a 15% off code for a crate of Della Vite. Ssh!
Nozeco (0.5%)
I always put a bottle of this in my basket should I spy it in the aisles in Tesco or ASDA (but honestly I get through it so quickly I might as well start ordering the crates of six from Amazon). For me, this is the closest to a legit boozy Prosecco.
Freixenet (0%)
The packaging is discrete, so you won't have to worry about sticking out like a sore thumb at a party (not that you should care anyway... but I know I personally sometimes want to blend into the background and not answer a dozen questions about whether or not I'm pregnant). Tastes fresh and bubbly – and the rosé variety is decent too.
Kylie Minogue alcohol-free sparkling rosé (0%)
Delicious berry-tinged bubbles at a decent price point? Created by the Princess of Pop of herself? Sign me all the way up. This is always a fun bottle to bring along for a celebratory occasion, or even to just pair with a bowl of Cheeselets in front of the TV at home (no prizes for guessing how I like to spend a Friday night then 👀).
Lyre's Classico Grande (0.5%)
Lyre's Classico doesn't taste exactly like Prosecco but it does taste just as nice (according to our impressed tester). Dry, fizzy, and sweet, this drink goes down a treat (but would also taste delicious in a mocktail). Passionfruit martini anyone?
The best alcohol-free beers
Lucky Saint (0.5%)
A dead ringer for real deal, this very low alcohol beer is a multi award-winning choice and I can see why. I've never been much of a beer drinker but this has converted me – it's so great that my boyfriend has even picked a Lucky Saint over a regular lager on a few occasions. A solid ten.
Brooklyn Special Effects Low Alcohol (0.4%)
Hoppy, zesty and refreshing. Apparently named Special Effects as it's so akin to a typical amber lager that the drinker will have to double-check the label. Yum.
Guinness 0.0 (0%)
This has been flying off the shelves since it launched and I can totally see why (as could my dad, who isn't sober but who is a lifelong Guinness fan and said he'd very happily drink it as a replacement). It's pretty akin to the 'real deal', only without the alcohol. If you're a mindful drinker or just looking to drink less, I've heard of people blending the 0% Guinness with the boozy version and enjoying it, too.
Days lager (0%)
The lager is a light, refreshing offering that's not too fizzy (and therefore didn't leave me bloated); the team behind Days use a special 'double fermentation' process to ensure no alcohol has ever been in the product (unlike other breweries which remove the alcohol post-brewing). The pale ale? Equally as delish. I also love that Days donates 2% of each sale to supporting worthy mental health initiatives.
Corona Cero (0%)
The ultimate summer vibe in a bottle, which tastes pretty similar to the alcoholic version. Add a lime and you're good to go!
The best alcohol-free spirits
Three Spirit Drinks (0%)
I can't sing the praises of Three Spirit Drinks highly enough; the USP of this brand is that their spirits aren't only meant to fill the gap that quitting alcohol leaves, but to bring back some of the more welcome sensations too. The Livener drink is perfect for the start of the night (it contains energising guayusa, guava leaf and schisandra) so I love to take it to pre-drinks, whereas Nightcap includes ingredients that are deliberately designed to relax (plus it smells just like hot cross buns).
GIMBER (0%)
This ginger-concentrate drink truly bites back, in the best possible way. For those wanting something snappy on the tastebuds, I highly recommend GIMBER (which is popping up in pubs all over the place, too). Bonus fact: it can also be used for cooking – I mix a dash of it with soy sauce and freshly squeezed lime to make a delicious stir fry sauce.
SENTIA Red (0%)
Designed by Professor David Nutt, a neuropsychopharmacologist (impressive, right?), SENTIA promises to leave its drinker feeling the same buzz as two alcoholic tipples would offer - but nothing more extreme than that. A few members of the Cosmopolitan team gave it a go and reported feeling more upbeat, some tingly leg sensations (in a good way, rest assured) and getting the giggles after drinking. Apparently the liquid works by encouraging the "GABA in your brain, which is linked to sociability and conviviality and reduced anxiety" to get grooving. Exciting times!
Everleaf (0%)
This bittersweet spirit isn't really comparable to any traditional liquors – to me, it tastes of cloudy lemonade with an 'adult' edge, or boiled sweets mixed with something-punchy-I-can't-quite-work-out. Extremely quaffable and a great option for those who aren't necessarily looking to replace an alcoholic drink with anything overly similar, but are instead keen to go for something entirely new.
The best alcohol-free gins
Pentire Adrift (0%)
A citrussy alcohol-free 'gin', perfect when teamed with tonic and a slice of fruit. Pentire use plants found along the Cornwall coastline for this product, including rock samphire, sage and Cornish sea salt – plus a few 'secret ingredients'.
Sipsmith FreeGlider (0.5%)
A great alternative to a classic dry London gin, Sipsmith's Freeglider is crafted with juniper and citrus and promises to be full on flavour. Pour over ice, top up with tonic and enjoy with a twist of fresh grapefruit zest.
The best alcohol-free cocktails
Punchy (0%)
Every bit as good as their alcoholic versions, Punchy soft offerings are my favourite when it comes to a good old fashioned tinny (I enjoyed many of them during a summer camping trip when everyone else was on the beers). Plus, the packaging is ace.
Highball (0%)
With such a spot-on array of fun flavours, it's hard to choose a favourite... but if I had to, it'd probably be the Ginger Dram, which is reminiscent of a Moscow Mule cocktail, or the AF Mojito. I'll take five, please.
Lyre's Italian Spritz (0%)
The holy grail. Bet you never thought you'd see the day, right? Mix a splash of this with some non-alcoholic Prosecco and it's a) deliciously moreish and b) just like an Aperol Spritz (only a tad sweeter and minus The Fear the next morning). In general, if you've cut back on or given up alcohol, Lyre's are a brand well worth knowing – they do everything from imitation whiskeys, rums, coffee liqueur and beyond. Always innovative, colourful and delicious. Go, go, go!
Artisan Drinks (0%)
With flavours like Yuzu Tokyo Tonic and Barrel Smoked Cola, these premium mixers double up as drinks in their own right. With a garnish and load of ice, you've got your evening sorted.
The best alcohol-free ciders
Kopparberg Alcohol Free Pear Cider (0%)
Reminiscent of its alcoholic sibling, this will beat any fruity cider cravings you may have in an instant. An excellent choice for picnicking and park meet-ups, this one gets a big tick from me.
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Jennifer Savin is Cosmopolitan UK's multiple award-winning Features Editor, who was crowned Digital Journalist of the Year for her work tackling the issues most important to young women. She regularly covers breaking news, cultural trends, health, the royals and more, using her esteemed connections to access the best experts along the way. She's grilled everyone from high-profile politicians to A-list celebrities, and has sensitively interviewed hundreds of people about their real life stories. In addition to this, Jennifer is widely known for her own undercover investigations and campaign work, which includes successfully petitioning the government for change around topics like abortion rights and image-based sexual abuse. Jennifer is also a published author, documentary consultant (helping to create BBC’s Deepfake Porn: Could You Be Next?) and a patron for Y.E.S. (a youth services charity). Alongside Cosmopolitan, Jennifer has written for The Times, Women’s Health, ELLE and numerous other publications, appeared on podcasts, and spoken on (and hosted) panels for the Women of the World Festival, the University of Manchester and more. In her spare time, Jennifer is a big fan of lipstick, leopard print and over-ordering at dinner. Follow Jennifer on Instagram, X or LinkedIn.
