Exploring NA Options: What I Love and Don't Love About Alcohol Alternatives

As February approaches, the chatter around Dry January will undoubtedly fill the air—stories of triumph, struggle, and discovery. But this isn’t one of those stories.

I didn’t dive into the sober-curious movement or commit to a month of alcohol abstinence. Yet, there are times I choose to moderate, whether for a safe and clear-headed night out or simply to avoid the side effects of alcohol.

For those who've put guardrails on their alcohol consumption, the beverage industry has stepped up with an array of enticing options. Scroll through social media, and you’ll find creators enthusiastically mixing and sipping mocktails under the banner of “no guilt, no hangovers.” That’s how I first discovered the growing world of non-alcoholic (NA) beverages.

While low—and no—alcohol beer has been around for years, today’s shelves are stocked with alternatives for wine, spirits, craft beer, ciders, and seltzers. Over the past few months, I set out to explore these options, sampling a variety of alcohol substitutes to see if they lived up to their glowing online reputations. Here’s my honest, unsponsored review of what I discovered.

What I Love

The Variety

From liquor alternatives, like Monday and ZeroProof, to premixed mocktails like Barfly, to sparkling wine and cider from Sheffield, you won't get bored with the available choices. There are also retailers, like Upside Drinks, a Canada-based company, that offers one of the largest selections of NA products I've found on the internet.

And if you don't want to shop online, there's a good chance your local beer distributor or liquor store sells a variety of alternatives. Even in rural Pennsylvania, the NA section at my favorite distributor has grown into more of an aisle. The days when O'Doul's non-alcoholic beer was your only resort... those days are long gone.

The Tequila

Of all the types of liquor out there, tequila is one that NA brands are consistently getting right, in terms of flavor profile. Perhaps it's the distinct taste of tequila that lends itself to replicating in NA form, while the more neutral-flavored liquors, like vodka, tend to be bland.

My favorite tequila is from Ritual Zeroproof. Not only does it smell like tequila, it has a warm, spiciness that feels like the burn of real alcohol.

Taste-wise, it's close enough to authentic tequila to produce a decent mixed drink. However, the key to mixing a realistic mocktail—with tequila or any spirit—is in the ratio: more liquor, less mixer. I like a 50/50 or 1:1 ratio, which is much more spirit than you'd use for a standard cocktail.

What I Don't Love

The Cost

Ironically, the cost of non-alcoholic beverages is roughly the same (sometimes more!) than those without. Which seems a little backwards to me—I mean, shouldn't they cost less?

As an example, a fifth (750 mL) of white-label, 80 proof Jim Beam sells for around $20 at our local liquor store. But a 700 mL bottle of Spiritless Kentucky 74 Whiskey runs $35.99. And that doesn't include shipping.

If your motivation for going alcohol-free is saving money, you may be discouraged when you fill your cart with NA options and realize it's not any easier on the wallet.

The Reviews

Consumer reviews are subjective, sometimes lacking context and not always helpful. But I particularly dislike these two types of reviews, which I see way too frequently:

I don't drink gin, but this gin alternative is good.

This review doesn't tell me anything. If I'm looking for a gin alternative, I want to hear from people who actually drink gin, and therefore, are qualified to say whether or not this product measures up.

Tastes just like the real thing. Can't tell the difference!

Bullshit.

There is no alternative, particularly when it comes to liquor, that matches the taste and mouthfeel of true alcohol. There just isn't. NA options might closely resemble their alcoholic counterparts, but you won't mistake one for the other. However, if you set realistic expectations, you won't be disappointed.

Brands Worth Trying

Tequila: As mentioned earlier, ZeroProof is a solid option for a tequila alternative. I've also tried the Rum, and it's decent, but not as impressive as the tequila.

Honorable tequila mention: Spiritless Jalisco 55

Whiskey/Bourbon: Monday Zero Alcohol Whiskey takes an easy win for this category. It's the most realistic NA whiskey of all the brands I tried. It has the whiskey "burn" with a noticeable caramel smell and flavor.

Honorable whiskey/bourbon mention: Spiritless makes Kentucky 74 SPICED, a drinkable cinnamon bourbon, that I actually prefer to their non-spiced, regular bourbon.

Gin: When it comes to gin, Hickson is worth trying. NA gins are tough to rate, because I am a gin drinker, and I'm picky. And while I don't have a favorite, Hickson has enough of that piney, herbal flavor for a simple mixed drink.

Other spirits: For complex mocktails, an aperitif is a must-have, and Martini & Rossi nail it with their Vibrante Aperitivo. This Campari substitute has all the bitter and sweet flavors you'd expect from an aperitif, at a respectable price.

Mocktails: Again, Hickson deserves a mention for their regular and flavored Gin & Tonic mocktails. I like the Grapefruit. It's just enough fruit, not overly sweet, with that classic, herbaceous gin flavor in the background.

Brands that Fall Short

In the "don't waste your money" category, a few losers stand out.

Seedlip Drinks makes four spirit alternatives. I've tried the Grove 42 and the Spice 94, and they are nothing more than overpriced, herbal water. The flavors are not concentrated enough to stand up to mixers, and to drink them alone... so bland. You could toss a lemon slice into some tap water and get a better result.

Similar to Seedlip, Optimist Drinks also sells some pretty unexciting liquor alternatives. Both the Fresh and the Bright fall short of resembling anything like the spirits they claim to mimic.

Although not specifically marketed as an NA beverage, CalmingCo makes a "stress relieving" tonic, that some consumers say has replaced alcohol in their routines. Some even claim drinking it produces a buzz-like sensation. I tried the U Relax powder, and I'm unimpressed. It has a fake, chemical sweetness that reminds me of the saccharin-sweetened sodas of the 1980's. It made my tongue numb, but otherwise did nothing to relax or calm me.

You May Have Noticed I Didn't Mention NA Wine

I haven't tried a single wine alternative that made me want to take a second sip, let alone have a full glass. Enough said.

Wrapping Up

In my social circle, I have friends who strictly avoid alcohol through the week and partake only on the weekends. I have friends who drink a few times a year on special occasions. I have friends who are sober for life, because they want or need to be, and others who knock 'em back freely as they please.

Whatever your journey, you don't have to be sober or sober-curious to be generally-curious. If, like me, you occasionally want to feel like you're drinking, without actually drinking, your options are today are limitless. Cheers to whatever you're sipping on!