Alcohol-free drinks worth trying
Having something good to drink makes a real difference when you stop drinking alcohol, especially in social situations. The range of alcohol-free drinks has grown hugely, and you can now find decent options in most supermarkets, pubs and restaurants. This guide covers some widely available choices, how to read the labels, and when an alcohol-free version might not be right for you.
We don’t receive anything for mentioning any brand. Availability varies by country and shop.
First, a word of caution
Alcohol-free beer and wine work well for some people. They give you something familiar to hold, and the taste can be satisfying. For others, the smell, taste or ritual of a drink that looks like the real thing can bring on strong cravings, especially early on. There’s no right answer. If an alcohol-free beer makes you think about drinking more, not less, leave it for now and choose something completely different.
If you are recovering from alcohol dependence, are pregnant, or take medicine that reacts with alcohol, check with your doctor before drinking products that contain even small amounts of alcohol, and read the label carefully.
What the labels mean (UK)
In the UK, government guidance on low-alcohol descriptors says:
- Alcohol free should mean no more than 0.05% alcohol by volume (ABV).
- De-alcoholised means the alcohol has been taken out, and the drink should be no more than 0.5% ABV.
- Low alcohol means no more than 1.2% ABV.
In practice, many low- and no-alcohol drinks on sale are around 0.5% ABV, and the rules and wording differ between countries. Always check the strength on the can or bottle. If you want as little alcohol as possible, look for drinks labelled 0.0% or 0.05%.
Alcohol-free beers
Alcohol-free beer is where the choice is widest. These are well-known, widely available names to look for:
- Guinness 0.0: an alcohol-free version of the famous stout, widely available in cans.
- Heineken 0.0: a widely stocked alcohol-free lager, found in many pubs and supermarkets.
- Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0: an alcohol-free version of the Italian lager.
- Lucky Saint: a UK brand that makes only alcohol-free beer, including an unfiltered lager.
- Big Drop: a UK brewery specialising in alcohol-free beers, including stouts and pale ales.
- Erdinger Alkoholfrei: a German alcohol-free wheat beer.
- Athletic Brewing: a US brewery that makes only non-alcoholic craft beers.
Strengths vary between products and countries, so check the label each time.
Alcohol-free spirits
Non-alcoholic spirits are designed to be mixed, usually with tonic or soda. Seedlip is one of the best-known, with several flavours made from distilled botanicals. Many supermarkets now stock their own alcohol-free gin- or rum-style drinks too. They can be expensive for what they are, so you might want to try one before buying a cupboard full.
Simple drinks that don’t imitate alcohol
Some of the best options don’t pretend to be anything else. They’re cheap, easy to find and unlikely to remind you of drinking:
- Lime and soda (soda water with lime cordial): available in nearly every pub in the UK.
- Sparkling water with fresh fruit, such as lemon, lime, orange, cucumber or berries, and plenty of ice.
- Ginger beer with fresh lime and mint.
- Good tonic water with a slice of grapefruit or orange.
- Elderflower cordial topped up with sparkling water.
- Iced tea, homemade or bought, with lemon.
- Kombucha, a fermented tea. Note that some kombucha contains small amounts of alcohol, so check the label.
- Hot drinks in the evening: herbal tea, hot chocolate or a mug of something spiced in winter.
Making it feel like a treat
Part of what people miss about drinking is the ritual: the end of the working day, a nice glass, a moment to unwind. You can keep the ritual and change the drink. Use a glass you like, add plenty of ice and a garnish, and sit down to enjoy it. Some people buy a special bottle of something alcohol-free for the weekend, or try a new soft drink each week.
Ordering when you’re out
Most pubs and restaurants now have at least one alcohol-free beer, and many have a short alcohol-free menu. If they don’t, a lime and soda or a ginger beer with lime is almost always possible. It’s fine to ask what they have. You’re a paying customer, and they’re used to it.
Watch the sugar
Some soft drinks and mixers contain a lot of sugar. That’s far less of a concern than alcohol, especially in the early weeks when many people crave something sweet, but if you’re having several a day, it’s worth looking for low-sugar versions or mixing with plenty of water or soda.
Not medical advice. If you drink heavily every day or nearly every day, please talk to a GP or doctor before stopping: alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous. See Help & safety.