With virtual pub quizzes, zoom parties and ‘quarantinis’ having become the new normal, many of us have become a dab hand at fixing our own drinks.
And without the discipline of a normal working routine, the gym and diarising ‘school nights’ to lay off the booze, it’s far more tempting to have a glass, and then another one…
Combine that with warm temperatures and blue skies, who wouldn’t argue that a cuppa loses its mojo when there’s the appealing option of a mojito.
10 low or no alcohol alternatives to try now
But if you feel the need to call time on too much of a good thing, these low and no alcohol alternatives put mindful drinking first, without compromising on flavour.
1. A ‘small’ beer
Traditionally ‘small beer’ has an average abv of between 0.5% and 2.8%. Today, brewers are tapping into trends for low and no, and demand for artisan varieties, so the likes of the Small Beer Brew Co. – whose range comes in under 2.8% ABV – are creating really fresh session beers. Citrusy, hoppy, surprisingly satisfying and some with less than half the calories.
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
For every beer lover, you may not only want to crack open a cold bottle and drink, but enjoy all its glory of storage, bartending, the taste of brewing, and even sharing with others.
This is where a fun but practical gadget comes in handy – challenge coins custom made – which can be used as a bottle opener, or to be perfectly kept in your in-home bar or garage. You can customize it however you like, adding your favourite beer logo, funny drinking quotes, or meaningful symbols of your own.
This also makes a great gift for your family members, friends, and colleagues who are beer lovers.
2. White wine spritzer
It’s a little bit old school cool, and remember, the more ice, the better. Take your favourite glass – highball is best – load it with quality cubes, half fill with a sauvignon blanc (the herbaceous flavours and aromatics won’t disperse easily when they’re diluted), top with lots of fizzy water and garnish with a lime wedge or lemon twist and mint.
3. Vermouth with soda
A fortified wine flavoured with herbs and spices, red vermouths such as Starlino Rosso work beautifully in low abv cocktails at 17%, and can be enjoyed on the rocks with a splash of soda. The classic ‘vermouth de Torino’ also comes in a heavy, apothecary style bottle, cin-cin!
- This 17% Hotel Starlino Rosso Vermouth is a sweet and rich vermouth infused with vanilla, rhubarb, ginger and bitter orange peel
- 750ml of exceptional Rosso Vermouth produced in Torino, Italy by our vermouth master using quality Italian wine and ingredients
- This beautiful Italian Vermouth is made using a Piedmonte wine that is aged in Kentucky bourbon barrels
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
4. Sparkling wine topped up with fruit juice
When it’s time to pop the corks, celebrations will last that much longer if you top your flute of fizz with a splash of fresh orange juice or red grapefruit juice. Alternatively, think about building a bellini: prosecco topped with peach purée is just as stylish, but lighter on the booze front.
A household name Down Under, award winning McGuigan wines produce all our favourite styles; but their Zero range has hidden potential. Not only can you quaff these fruity gems to your heart’s content, with three styles to choose from, it’s happy days for lunchtime sipping.
- Make your own Frosé Mocktail: 2oz McGuigan Alcohol Free Rose Wine, 1oz fresh watermelon juice, ice and strawberries or watermelon wedges and mint to garnish
- Method: Combine all ingredients in a blender with ice. Serve in a coupe glass and garnish with strawberry or watermelon wedge and mint. Enjoy!
- Grape-derived, with no artificial sweeteners or additives, ensuring it is of the highest quality possible
Last update on 2024-04-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
6. Non-alcoholic spirits
Seedlip’s non-alcoholic distilled spirits offer three variants: Garden, Grove and Spice. And if you really want to up the ante and switch tonic for juice, bitters and a twist, their website, offers a selection of easy to follow drinks recipes for some of the world’s most popular cocktails… without the hangover.
- SEEDLIP GIFTBOX: Discover the aromatic Seedlip Spice 94; the fresh and herbal Seedlip Garden 108; and the citrus-forward Seedlip Grove 42
- WE ARE THE PERFECT NON-ALCOHOLIC GIFT: Our three 20cl gift box is the ideal gift for any occasion
- NATURAL BOTANICAL BLEND: Each expression brings a perfectly balanced & refreshing experience to any occasion. Whether midweek, driving, relaxing at home or just looking for something exceptional,...
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
7. A light abv riesling
If you’re not familiar with the sommelier’s favourite wine (versatile and food friendly), Riesling is a bone-dry, cool climate style, and some can go as low as 9.5% abv. With lively fruit flavours, it could be your next go-to-white. Some of the best come from Pfalz in Germany, look for ‘trocken’ meaning dry, or ‘kabinett’ meaning light, on the label.
- A multifaceted Riesling
- Versatile with or without food
- A whiff of white blossoms and tropical fruit
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
8. White port and tonic
Portuguese white port is having a moment, and you’ll be hard pushed to find a more deliciously crisp and refreshing drink than a P&T. Take one part white port (between 16.5% and 20% abv), one part tonic, serve over ice and garnish with a slice.
- Port Ferreira Dry White is a Port wine of brilliant color with golden nuances and flavor of good intensity, predominantly with dry fruits like almonds, hazelnuts and pine nuts, and light floral notes...
- Unit: 75CL - 25,4FL Oz
- Quantity: 1
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
9. Grown-up cordial
Drinks critic Matthew Jukes is the brains behind Jukes Cordialities which are designed to resemble red and white wine, and to be served in a wine glass or tumbler with still, sparkling or tonic water.
10. Alcohol-free cider
There’s a number of 0% ciders out there, but beyond doubt, the Smashed range of British-made ciders tastes and feels like the real thing. With a medium dry palate and orchard fruit finish, there’s sharpness and sweetness in spades.
- Real Beer, Real Cider, Real Taste, Real Alcohol Free. Smashed is a British Brand, founded in 2017. As featured on Dragons Den, Saturday Kitchen and Something for the Weekend.
- Sick of the sight of all those pretend drinks, we summoned the best brewing brains and young white-coated wonders and issued them with a challenge: Give us a glass of something that feels like, smells...
- We pride ourselves on the quality of our SMASHED range of alcohol-free drinks. Using time honoured methods to produce top class, full strength beer and cider. Only then do we carefully and gently...
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best-selling low alcohol beer
Stuck for inspiration? Check out our list of best-selling Amazon products!
- Old Speckled Hen Pale Ale Low Alcohol beer, a delicious alcohol free version of the UK's No. 1 pale ale with fruity aromas, complemented by a delightful blend of malty toffee and caramel tastes
- Low Alcohol (0.5%) and 54% fewer calories make Old Speckled Hen Low Alcohol the perfect beer for any occasion. Pair with
- Perfectly paired with braised meats or a hearty pie - serve chilled for a refreshing pale ale packed full of distinctive flavour
- The packaging of the item may differ from image as we may repackage to avoid damages
- A tasty full bodied energizer containing Folic acid and vitamin B12 which reduce fatigue and support the immune system, B12 also promotes energy-yielding metabolism.
- Brewed in Bavaria by the family owned Erdinger Weissbrau
- BrewDog Alcohol Free Mixed 8 Pack
- Alcohol-free doesn't mean taste free. This bundle brings all the attitude of our alcoholic range, all of the flavour – but none of the alcohol.
- This pack contains 2x Punk IPA AF 0.5%, 2x Nanny State 0.5%, 2x Hazy Jane AF 0.5%, 2x Elvis Juice AF 0.5%
- ALCOHOL FREE LAGER - Clausthaler Original case of 24 x 330ml cans. A multiple award-winning lager brewed in accordance with the German Purity Law of 1516 using clean, natural ingredients of water,...
- AWARD-WINNER - Clausthaler is a multiple award-winning non-alcoholic beer brand, widely recognised as one of the best-tasting beers in the no/low alcohol beer category. Clausthaler has been brewed in...
- WORLDS FIRST - With the use of cutting-edge technology, Clausthaler pioneered an innovative method of brewing non-alcoholic beer called Controlled Fermentation. While the competition tried a different...
- Brewing A Good Tasting Alcohol Free Beer, Is It Even Possible? Our Master Brewers Started From Zero And Spent Years Exploring, Brewing And Tasting Before They Finally Created A Recipe Defined By Its...
- Heineken 0.0 Is A Refreshing Alcohol Free Beer Characterised By Fruity And Fresh Malt Notes And A Lightbody. At Just 69 Calories This Is A Good Refreshing Drink For All.
- Taste Good Served Chilled.
Last update on 2024-04-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
You may be interested in…
This article may include affiliate links to products and services where we may receive a small fee to support the running of this site if you make a purchase or is a sponsored article from one of our select editorial partners providing valuable advice and information to our readers.
