Credit: Courtesy of brands
Stylist Loves
Looking for Dry January alternatives? Here are 10 of the best alcohol-free spirits to jazz up your cocktails
3 months ago
4 min read
Giving Dry January a go? From tequila to spiced rum, we have the best non-alcoholic spirits to try for a booze-free start to the year.
Whether it’s office parties, Christmas dinner or New Year’s Eve, the festive period can be quite a boozy affair. It’s no wonder many of us look to take a break from alcohol in the new year, and Dry January gives us the perfect excuse to switch things up.
Since its inception in 2015 by charity Alcohol Change UK, millions of people have cut booze out for the month of January. In 2024, 8.5 million people planned to take part in Dry January, so it’s no surprise that people are increasingly curious about the non-alcoholic alternatives available to them.
Let’s be honest: no one wants to be that person at the party sipping on tap water, but luckily, there are so many zero-alcohol spirits out there. These days, there’s no reason staying sober should mean missing out on a delicious drinking experience, all with the added benefit of remembering all the details of the night before.
Whether you’re looking to enjoy a margarita, espresso martini or rum punch but without the fuzzy feeling of alcohol, we’ve got you covered. Here are 10 of the best alcohol-free spirits to try this month – and beyond.
Pentire Coastal Spritz
The blend of blood orange, sea rosemary and oakwood in this aperitif-style 0% spirit blends natural bitter flavours and refreshing coastal tones for a unique sipping experience. Best served in a glass full of ice, topped off with tonic or soda water and a bay leaf. It even has drinks expert Hannah Crosbie’s seal of approval.
Crossip Blazing Pineapple 0%
If you can’t get enough of the tropical flavours of a mai tai or piña colada, this is the alcohol-free spirit for you. Inspired by tiki-style cocktails, it features notes of juicy pineapple, peach, mandarin and citrus notes, plus a dash of ginger for heat and just enough scotch bonnet for a fiery kick.
Mother Root Ginger Switchel
Combining fiery ginger, zingy apple cider vinegar, sweet blossom honey and a lick of chilli, this is perfect enjoyed by itself (if you enjoy particularly tart flavours) or mixed with tonic or sparkling water. The ACV means this aperitif-style spirit comes with all those added health benefits, including increased energy and supercharged gut health.
Three Spirit Nightcap
This spirit is inspired by that last drink of the night, but instead of it tipping you over the edge, Three Spirit’s Nightcap will leave you feeling clear-headed. Made with aromatic plants and spices, it’s best enjoyed mixed into a non-alcoholic cocktail.
Fluère Smoked Agave
If you can’t bear to part with your Friday night spicy marg, try switching it up with Fluère’s Smoked Agave, a great non-alcoholic alternative to tequila. Smoked hickory wood lends a smoky, earthy richness to this agave-based spirit, which would also go perfectly in a paloma or any other tequila-based cocktail you fancy.
ISH Non-Alcoholic Caribbean Spiced Spirit
For mindful drinkers who adore the velvety notes of rum, this Caribbean Spiced Spirit by non-alcoholic drinks brand ISH is your best choice. It’s won multiple awards for its recipe (which is inspired by the full-strength rums that hail from Jamaica and Martinique), and is a perfect addition to 0% mojitos, daiquiris and cuba libres.
Shop ISH Non-Alcoholic Caribbean Spiced at DrinksOne, £18.45
Laori Juniper No 1
By harnessing the botanical flavour of juniper, coriander and angelica, this non-alcoholic gin alternative by Laori mimics the complex flavours and aromas of a traditional gin. Best enjoyed with refreshing tonic and a sprig of rosemary for the perfect post-work G&T without the hangover.
Botivo Batch 26
If you love a negroni or two at the weekend then Botivo is the perfect non-alcoholic alternative so you can still indulge the classic bitter taste but without the hangover the next morning – a nogroni, if you will. An aperitif inspired drink with bittersweet, herbal and citrus notes, Botivo is best served with soda and a wedge of orange over ice.
Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic Amaretti
Who can resist the nutty, creamy flavour palette of amaretto at Christmas time? It’s a quintessential pairing, but it doesn’t have to come with the alcohol content, as this non-alcoholic amaretto by Australian brand Lyre’s proves. With notes of almond, vanilla and spice, this sweet spirit will go down extra smoothly knowing you’ll be clear-headed in the morning.
Strykk Not Vodka
Make your next espresso martini or pornstar martini a healthy choice by swapping regular vodka for Strykk’s non-alcoholic vodka alternative. Crafted from the finest botanicals in the UK, including lemongrass and capsicum, you can enjoy the full-bodied flavour of vodka without the guilt.
Images: courtesy of brands
Sign up for our edit of what to buy, see, read and do, and receive a free mini-mag of the top 5 fashion trends you’re sure to see in 2024.
By signing up you agree to occasionally receive offers and promotions from Stylist. Newsletters may contain online ads and content funded by carefully selected partners. Don’t worry, we’ll never share or sell your data. You can opt-out at any time. For more information read Stylist’s Privacy Policy
Thank you!
You’re now subscribed to all our newsletters. You can manage your subscriptions at any time from an email or from a MyStylist account.