We enjoyed its subtly building spicy finish, but it may be too savory for some. Tasting notes: This zippy drink tastes just like a funky pineapple juice. The combination is refreshing, often free or very cheap (dont forget to tip your bartender! You might cut an alcoholic drink with an NA mixer to lower the alcohol by volume, negating some of the alcohols effects, or you might alternate drinks throughout an evening to lower your intake. De Soi Golden Hour: Musky and sultry, the Golden Hour has a dominant clove flavor with notes of green tea and lemon. You can order a smaller sample pack to taste all of the companys flavors (though we found the other two to be funkier and tea-like). Ingredients: water, white grape juice concentrate, ginger juice, lemon juice, rose extract, rosemary extract, natural elderflower flavor, black currant juice concentrate, chamomile extract, ginseng root, lemon balm extract, bitter orange rind, fruit & vegetables extract (for color). Tasting notes: Vibey, floral, and aromatic, the De Soi Purple Lune is densely layered with surprising flavors. Still, be sure to check the bottle. The thinner texture and bitter flavors evoke a strong tea more than a spirit. A hit of chili punches it up and saves it from venturing into soda territory. If a buzz is what you seek, Kin drinks boast mood-lifting additives (the company calls them euphorics), though we couldnt fully evaluate those effects. In 2021, to learn more about what makes a delicious nonalcoholic drink and how people should shop for them, we spoke with four experts: Julia Bainbridge, author of Good Drinks, who has reported extensively on the NA beat; John deBary, author of Drink What You Want and founder of Proteau, who ran the bar program at Momofuku for nine years; Douglas Watters, owner of Spirited Away, a spirits-free bottle shop in New York City; and Han Suk Cho, a nonalcoholic beverages mixologist and creator of Zero Proof Bevs. If I dont feel like doing all the work, I can just open it and pour it.. This drink is intriguingly light; the citrus tastes more bitter than sweet, like zest versus juice. We still thought it was bright and well balanced, if a bit one-note. Its slightly astringent and peppery, too, like a deli-pickle brine. Taste is deeply personal, but there are key components that make a drink feel balanced, namely a harmonious blend of acidity, sweetness, bitterness, salinity, and water. Note, however, that some have warnings to avoid them if youre pregnant or on certain medications. Or drink it alongside a hearty meal, to cut through the richness. This article was edited by Gabriella Gershenson and Marguerite Preston. A nonalcoholic drink should also feel mature. Ghia Le Spritz: Wed drink Ghia Le Spritz if it was handed to us, but this premixed version of Ghia tastes more like chalky dried ginger than the fresh stuff. Supervising editor Marilyn Ong, who helped taste these drinks, thought the Ludlow Red was well balanced. How wed drink it: Wed make a Pentire Adrift and tonic to revive us on steamy days. Among the drinks we tried, they seemed closest to a bottled version of bitters and soda. As with the Figlia Fiore, wed happily enjoy Wilfreds Bittersweet in a range of settings. But then it just tasted like extra-spicy ginger ale. We tried each drink plain first and then mixed according to the brands basic serving suggestion. John deBary, author of Drink What You Want: The Subjective Guide to Making Objectively Delicious Cocktails and founder of Proteau, told me that bitter flavors evoke a physiological response that tells us whatever were consuming should be poisonous. Even so, it may be polarizing for some palates. To understand why certain flavors work together, we consulted The Flavor Bible: The Essential Guide to Culinary Creativity, Based on the Wisdom of Americas Most Imaginative Chefs, by Karen Page. Below we list our 16 favorite bottles and single-serving options (as well as everything else weve tried), with detailed tasting notes to help you choose based on what you like and the experience youre seeking. It looks, smells, and tastes like a concentrated berry juice, and it reminded us of medicinal elderflower syrup. But when its mixed with tonic and lime, the Dark & Spicy becomes a quenching, delightful treat. Ingredients: water, natural botanical distillates and extracts, English beet sugar, citric acid, concentrates (safflower, lemon, carrot, black currant), potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate. Since every person reacts differently, we notedbut didnt test extensively forhow the beverages made us feel. We sampled the companys other flavors, and we found them to be more savory and bitter than we like. Learn more. We picked up on notes of sugar snap pea, hay, thyme, and mint, as well as Meyer lemon. Kin High Rhode: Though Kins packaging is sleek, the contents dont deliver. We also tasted caraway and chicory, for a pleasant bitterness. Caleos cocktail recipes seem transportive, too, and were excited to try them whenever we need a little escape. Proteau Ludlow Red: We were intrigued by Ludlow Redwe puzzled over the flavors and couldnt stop sipping. Theres nothing wrong with that, but you may find yourself chugging through those more quickly. See more recipes here. See more recipes here. Seedlip Garden 108 is not meant to be served on its own (this is the only bottle we tried that had those explicit instructions). Tasting notes: Of the three flavors of Betera drinks, the Ginger-Orange seems the most nuanced and alluring. But weve also noticed an uptick in dedicated NA storeslike Spirited Away in New York City and Minus Moonshine in Brooklyn, New Yorkand in NA spirits at our local wine shops (shout-out to Elemental Spirits in Atlanta, where I live). Whatever your reason for foraying into the area of nonalcoholic beverages, you dont need to be a mixologist to enjoy the drinks in this guide: Theyre either ready to serve or need just one mixer, such as tonic or ginger ale. The simple glass bottle is timeless. Serving suggestion: Serve 2 ounces plain or over ice with tonic. When you taste how companies have worked [their] foundational product into a single-serve RTD, it can give you a better sense of how the maker intends for that first product to be used, Bainbridge said. It doesnt have much bitterness but is lightly sweet and palatable. The golden yellow color glows in a glass. Reach for Sacr to wake yourself up or to impress guests with your daring palate. Tasting notes: Three Spirits Livener is a zinger. Curious Elixir No. When it comes to enjoying the bottled nonalcoholic beverages we tested, there are some caveats. This drink also didnt have the mouth-watering effect of some of the other beverages we tried. Weve found that dedicated online retailers carry most of the available NA options in the US, if youd like to browse. Serving suggestion: Serve 2 ounces over ice with tonic or ginger beer, and garnish with a sprig of rosemary. This drink has a long and varied list of herbal ingredients, but we primarily tasted notes of shiitake mushroom, soy sauce, iodine, anise, mole, and chicory. Alcohol has a signature burndifficult to replicatethat helps slow down the drinker. We thought it clashed with tonic and instead preferred it mixed with ginger ale. I dont often mix these non-alc spirits or other products into complicated multi-part cocktails, Bainbridge said. Before you consume any of them, we recommend checking a brands FAQ and asking your doctor if you have questions. Bottom notes of herbal ginseng, earthy beet, and tart pomegranate round it out. 1: This drink is bitingly bitter and just sweet enough to make it feel like an adult beverage, but it isnt a Negroni dupe, as marketed. You may choose a nonalcoholic drink for a host of reasons, whether youre sober, avoiding alcohol for medical or religious reasons, pregnant, driving home, or just wanting to avoid a hangover. See more recipes here. Three Spirit Social Elixir: The woodsy Three Spirit Social Elixir reminded us most of an amaro or fortified wine. But for those who dont love shrubs, the taste of champagne vinegar (the second ingredient) may be overpowering. 4 as its take on an Aperol spritz. Wed say it was a hit. See more recipes here. You can find tons of other options for NA drinks that go beyond the beverages we include here: imitation spirits similar to whiskey or tequila, intriguing kombuchas, snazzily flavored seltzer, sour shrubs, sweeter cordials, complex bitters. The translucent, striking red-orange color and the art deco bottle are dazzlingly eye-catching. Tasting notes: The fresh, green-tasting Seedlip Garden 108 is mild yet tantalizing. Thats not a bad thing, but the lighter flavors disappeared in mixers. Ghia Ginger: Cut with ginger ale, Ghia Ginger is more bitter than Ghia Le Spritz, and we preferred the balance of the sweeter drink. If we missed one of your favorites, add it to the comments section. Spritzed with tonic, Wilfreds makes a slightly sweet, refreshing summer sipper. Serving suggestion: Pour 2 ounces with ounce fresh lemon juice over ice. In this guide, we do our best to describe these drinks so you can decide what you might like, and we include tasting notes from all three of our testers. Taste is, of course, subjective. Although the tea flavor was strong, it faded as we drank. Casmara Club Sera: The Sera has a more warming flavor profile. The easiest place to find them may be at retailers like No & Low and The Zero Proof, which offer shipping within the US. And because its tropical yet fiery, we think this drink would work in all seasons. How wed drink it: This hops-flavored drink is a refresher: Wed pop one open while sitting around the campfire or to cool our palates after a hot and dusty summer hike. Serving suggestion: Serve with ginger ale or soda over ice with lime. Serving suggestion: Serve over ice with tonic. Tasting notes: In a sea of challenging drinks, this spicy-sweet aperitif (a drink that aims to stimulate your appetite) is one of the only nonalcoholic beverages we tried that is flat-out quaffable. We also browsed the NA offerings at Food52, No & Low, The Zero Proof, and Spirited Away. 4 missed the mark for us. See more recipes here. Popping the cap gives the chance for a little exhale. Bainbridge also writes a Good Drinks newsletter, in which she explores NA-related topics and new products. How wed drink it: Toast friends at a dinner party with this big, bold, delicious, sleekly packaged NA cocktail, or sip it in a dimly lit bar while flirting with strangers (or your lover). The liquid inside is Pepto-pink and translucent, with big bubbles. How wed drink it: If you like pia coladas or want a bright, punchy drink, go for the saturated fruity flavors of the Caleo Dark & Spicy. We found the Floral Wormwood to be the more drinkable of the two Gnista options. Or you may simply want a delicious and interesting beverage. Han Suk Cho, founder of Zero Proof Bevs, says she honed her nonalcoholic mixology skills by following regular cocktail books; the basic principles still apply. (The company doesnt call this an imitation gin, but Pentire Adrift does have some characteristic gin flavors.) We got grassy notes of fresh spinach and salty preserved lemon. Besides the convenience that NA drinks offeryou can throw them into a cooler or tote to share at a potluck or a BYO gatheringBainbridge likes that these drinks can be instructional if youre new to the NA category. We enjoyed it with seltzer or tonic, for a subtler rose taste. Notes of citrus, rose, cranberry, ginger, and nutmeg are perfectly balanced. Like High Rhode, Dream Light has a thick, syrupy texture. Alcohol has its own texture, too. Amass Riverine: Riverine is peppery, astringent, and overwhelmingly piney. Maybe its intentional, but this one is giving us fizzed mushroom tea. Its a new favorite for when we want a light, tasty NA option that doesnt take itself too seriously. Brooklyn Brewed Sorrel: This lightly spiced, beautifully red sorrel drink, a Caribbean staple, is based on a family recipe. Serving suggestion: Serve over ice with an orange rind. The flavor reminded us of a minty tea, with notes of lemongrass and a sour aftertaste. But its acidity adds some depth of flavorwe were pleasantly surprised by the long finish from such a subtle drink. Tasting notes: Unique among the drinks weve tried, Caleo Dark & Spicy offers a fruity, fun foil to the intense herbal flavors of most NA spiritsa tropical vacation, if you will. Thin and lacking sugar, Pentire Adrift has the appearance of water or a clear liquor. Others have additives that are supposed to relax you. Ghia: For a straightforward, orangey aperitif, Ghia fits the bill. How wed drink it: Slightly herbaceous, deliciously citrusy, and a little bitter, Wilfreds Bittersweet will whet your appetite or offer an end-of-day pick-me-up before dinner. A tingly, warming spicinesssimilar to that of Sichuan peppercornbuilds at the back of the throat and settles into the chest. See more recipes here. Hella Bitters & Soda Grapefruit: This one-note drink feels more like a flavored seltzer than other options we tried because it mainly just tastes like grapefruit. Rassvda Black Ginger: Black Ginger was the most savory drink we tried. We thought the drink was invigorating, but it lacked the velvety richness we want in an amaro. The tall, stunning bottle, which has a real cork, is a bit hard to fit in a fridge, but hopefully it will last a long time. Its a great stand-in for Campari, and frankly, wed rather drink the Wilfreds. Often, to make up for the lack of alcohol, creators of NA drinks carefully craft them and pack them with tantalizing ingredients. And Derek Browns Mindful Mixology offers some fascinating history behind the NA drinks, as well as recipes and tips for making no- and low-alcohol cocktails. It stands up well on its own over ice. It was one of the few we tasted that created a warming sensation that mimics the burn of alcohol. How wed drink it: Drink this lightly spiced, citrusy drink alongside Thai takeout, while watching a movie, or sitting on a blanket for a park hang at sunset. This helps people to pause while drinking; it also stimulates appetite and digestion. Anna Perling is a former staff writer covering kitchen gear at Wirecutter. See more recipes here. You can also order most drinks directly from the companies that make them. The bracing bitterness of this drink lends itself to slow sipping; taking a big swig may jolt your taste buds. Bitter, sour, or spicy flavors can achieve a similar effect. To narrow what to test, we chose drinks that met the following criteria: Unique: Although these bottles may evoke other spirits or cocktails, they dont try to mimic them outright. Thats the reason why I have these things. The vibrant, tangerine-hued liquid, which shines through the clear glass bottle, surely helps. Tasting notes: Spritzes are fizzy wine cocktails often served as aperitifs before a meal, and theyre usually made with prosecco, a bitter liqueur, and some sparkling water. How wed drink it: Partake in this tart, tannic drink while nibbling on cheese or olives. In 2022, we tested 15 new bottles, in addition to the 24 drinks we tried in 2021. How wed drink it: Seedlips light flavors make for some pretty easy drinking, so we think this bottle is a good starter for those who are seeking nonalcoholic options. Ingredients: sparkling water, lemon juice, demerara cane sugar, and extracts of Italian chinotto, juniper berry, orris root, mandarin orange, allspice berry, clove bud, and anise, with Mediterranean sea salt. Ingredients: water, peach-blackberry-black currant and tart cherry juice blend from concentrate, date syrup, rose petal extract, balsamic vinegar (wine vinegar, grape must), ceylon tea extract, gentian root extract, vanilla extract, cocoa extract, ashwagandha extract, green tea extract, oak chip extract, coconut water powder, black pepper flavor, pine extract, rose extract, myrrh extract. See more recipes here. Ghia Le Spritz has more sweetness than Ghia Ginger to balance it out, at least. How wed drink it: This simple but tasty bittersweet drink can be a go-to for working the room at a networking event or for sipping while sitting in on a Zoom reunion. The drink excites your palate and challenges you to figure out what exactly makes it so dang deliciousand why you cant stop drinking it. The minimal effort is part of the appeal of a bottled drink. Enjoying a cocktail comes down to more than just how the drink tastes, and Casamara Clubs presentation helps make the sodas feel mature. Yet Garden 108 was the only one of Seedlips three flavors that we thought stood up to a mixer. Tasting notes: The rosy pink Rivington Spritz is tart and, of course, fizzy; it excited our palates and made us want to keep drinking. Tasting notes: In the Aurora Elixirs Pomelo Sage, hops play a supporting yet crucial role to balance out intense piney aromas and delicate, pithy grapefruit flavors. If you want something super-concentrated, you can sip the Caleo Dark & Spicy over ice. Ingredients: ascorbic acid, citric acid, ester gum, gum acacia, hops extract, natural flavors, natural quinine, organic cane sugar, water. It is deeply sour like vinegar, with a strong taste of darkly roasted coffee. We found ourselves reaching for Alta on evenings when we wanted a drink after work, and weve been grateful to see Casamara Clubs sodas on menus around town. We tasted sunscreen, rosemary, and anise, with a hint of lavender. But of all the drinks we tried, Livener best approximated the burning sensation of drinking alcohol. The cucumber flavors tasted cooked instead of fresh, though, which gave the drink an unpleasant funk. Ingredients: water, natural botanical distillates and extracts (peas, hay, spearmint, rosemary, thyme, and hops), potassium sorbate, citric acid. 2022 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company, Libbey Signature Kentfield Estate All-Purpose Glass, The best nonalcoholic single-serving drinks, Good Drinks: Alcohol-Free Recipes for When Youre Not Drinking for Whatever Reason, Drink What You Want: The Subjective Guide to Making Objectively Delicious Cocktails, Zero: A New Approach to Non-Alcoholic Drinks, Liquid Intelligence: The Art and Science of the Perfect Cocktail, The Flavor Bible: The Essential Guide to Culinary Creativity, Based on the Wisdom of Americas Most Imaginative Chefs, author of Good Drinks: Alcohol-Free Recipes for When Youre Not Drinking for Whatever Reason, author of Drink What You Want and founder of Proteau, non-alcoholic drinks mixologist and creator of Zero Proof Bevs, Why We Love the Libbey All-Purpose Wine Glass, The 10 Best Alcohol Gifts for Cocktail Lovers, The Best Barware for Making Cocktails at Home. There are many NA options in the single-serving category, and weve included a few of our favorites in the 2022 update. Douglas Watters said that customers often ask him about the point of NA drinks. And, sure, we picked up on the orange and the warming spices, with some notes of floral jasmine and licorice, too. Seedlip Spice 94: Spice 94 was pretty one-note. We tasted notes of mushroom, forest floor, red wine, plum, sage, and yerba mate. We consulted ingredients lists and looked for drinks that promised more than one-note flavors and aromas. But this bottle is still lovely if you want a simpleryet still tropical-feelingdrink. Food52 and Boisson carry some as well. Bubbles from added tonic ratcheted up the tingling sensation. And we detected a forward hit of sugar, perhaps from the monk fruit (which serves as a sweetener). We got cherry and rose on the front end, with an earthy finish from the oak and chicory. This bottle doesnt need to be refrigerated, so you can keep it on a bar cart for up to three months. Diluting with tonic or seltzer helps to mellow out the strong flavors. All of the experts we spoke with highlighted bitterness as a key element. The hops arent too bitter, and the drink has a honey-like finish. See Seedlips FAQ page for more information. Proteaus tall, gorgeous bottles stand out and lend the drink an air of sophistication and intrigue (please transport me to whatever lush, enchanted forest is depicted on these labels). Its refreshing, and the slim can makes it feel more grown-up than a soda. In 2022, I used the same tasting protocols to evaluate new drinks. We list the ingredients of each pick in this guide. Beteras bottles feature simple, elegant floral labels that show off whats inside, and a metal cap that you can ceremoniously pop open. Tasting notes: Three of the experts we spoke with in 2021 recommended that we try Sacr because of its uniqueness. I think maybe the misconception is that the drink itself is operating in a vacuum. The squat Rassvda bottle fit neatly in the fridge and was easy to pour from. This drink might be polarizing for somesimilar to coconut LaCroix, it does evoke the scent of sunscreen or tanning oil. We cant help but associate strongly scented floral foods and drinks with bath or beauty products, and the Rose Bergamot is no different (here, were reminded of rosewater facial toner). Though Hemp & Root is made from hemp and boasts two tiny little hemp leaves on the label, it doesn't claim any cannabis-like effects. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Top with seltzer, and garnish with an orange slice. We enjoyed this drink chilled, both with ice and withoutyou can just as easily enjoy it by simply popping the top. At first, it tasted like concentrated berries, and then licorice, vinegar, and pine. How wed drink it: On a hot day, pair this rhubarb-forward spritz with chips or other salty snacks. But they were so intense that we struggled to drink this. Some had extra touches like corks or resealable caps, which we appreciated. We cant remember where we first heard the term bits n bubs to describe a drink of soda water with a dash of bitters, but its been a go-to at bars and at home ever since. Some of the maple comes through at the end of a pull, like the welcome relief of a Brachs caramel candy melting on your tongue. Its similar to a turmeric kombucha, but less vinegary. I hope people can really stop comparing some NA mixtures with alcohol because theres no comparison, Cho said. We loved sipping the dark pink Livener plain, and just a fingers width sated us.