For many, the festive season can mean more boozing than usual and, because of that, more waking up feeling less than ideal. Fortunately, the non-alcoholic drinks industry is continuing to grow, with more and more brands throwing their hat into the ring.
You can now buy for drinking at home or order at bars and restaurants all flavours of non-alcoholic beer, wine and sprits. This festive season, we’re helping you find the drinks that taste like your alcoholic favourites, though our picks are without the booze. Ahead, we’ve rounded up some of the best non-alcoholic drinks brands to try this December.
Best Non-Alcoholic Spirits
Cockatoo Cocktails Natives Range
Cockatoo Cocktails has just released its unique Native Australian non-alcoholic range. Think modern cocktails reimagined, including a Wattleseed Espresso Martini, Riberry Negroni, and Finger Lime Margarita. Each cocktail is low-calorie with no added sugars. You can add alcohol to them if you want. Either way, they are delicious. Buy here.
Drummerboy
The Drummerboy range features London Dry — a gin replacement; American Dark — a bourbon replacement, Mexican Agave — a tequila replacement, Italian Rosso — a Vermouth replacement; and Italian Aperitivo — a Spritz replacement. A mosh pit of flavour with seriously spirit-lifting taste, Drummerboy is designed to be drunk neat over ice, with a classic mixer as the base for your favourite non-alcoholic cocktail. Buy online here.
Lyre’s Italian Orange
If you love Campari, then this non-alcoholic version is a must-try. Enjoy rich blood orange and citrus mouthfuls, just as you would in an Aperol spritz. You can add soda or tonic water for a non-alcoholic spritz or mix Lyre’s Orange with Lyre’s Dry London Spirit and Aperitif Rosso to make an alcohol-free negroni. Buy from Dan Murphy’s here.
Banks Botanicals
This premium alcohol-free spirit from Yarra Valley blends five native ingredients to create a refreshing organic beverage. Expect notes of spice from the cassia and hints of lime and lemon myrtle. A 700ml bottle is $50, which you can buy here.
Monday Distillery
It’s not hard to find something to sip on at Monday Distillery. All of their products are non-alcoholic versions of the classics, including G&T, Paloma, mezcalita, and a dram sour, which is a take on a whiskey sour. You can get a combination box and try a few flavours or pick up a bottle for $50 each. They also sell garnishes to add that extra flair to your non-alcoholic cocktail. Buy from Dan Murphy’s here.
Brunswick Aces
Brunswick Aces is a distillery, bottle shop, and bar in Brunswick, VIC. They offer a range of non-alcoholic spirits, including the iconic Spades Sapiir bottle. The Gnista floral offers a floral finish with bitter tones of wormwood, which is perfect as a base for non-alcoholic cocktails or poured over ice with tonic water. Buy from Dan Murphy’s here.
Gordon’s 0%
Made using only the finest distilled botanicals in the same way as Gordon’s London Dry, Gordon’s 0.0% doesn’t compromise on the bold, juniper-led character gin drinkers love. For the perfect serve, simply pour 50mL of Gordon’s 0.0% over ice, top up with tonic and finish with a wedge of lime. Buy from Dan Murphy’s here.
Best Non-Alcoholic Wine
Vinada Alcohol-Free Vegan Wine
Vinada is a great non-alcoholic sparkling wine option. It was started by a Dutch mother-of-two who’s passionate about contributing to the social acceptance of non-alcoholic wines. Grab a bottle of Vinada Chardonnay or Tempranillo Rose, or try a Sober Month Box, which comes with 31 bottles of the sparkling.
Thomson and Scott Noughty Sparkling Wine
Pop open a bottle of alcohol-free sparkling wine. This chardonnay from Thomson and Scott Noughty is lightly refreshing with a smooth, crisp finish. It’s made with Chardonnay grapes and has only three grams of sugar per 100ml. At $25 per bottle, it’s an affordable way to toast with bubbles and stick.
NON’s Everyday Range
NON isn’t technically a non-alcoholic wine as it’s not a wine with alcohol removed, it’s its own drink. The Melbourne-based drinks brand is known for its balance of fruit, salinity, and acidity in wine, and the new range is no exception. Within the new bundle sits fan favourites NON1 (Salted Raspberry & Chamomile), NON3 (Toasted Cinnamon & Yuzu) and NON7 (Stewed Cherry & Coffee). You can also pick up the Light Set featuring NON2 (caramelised pear and kombu) and Non3 or the Dark Set, which comes with Non4 (roast beetroot and sansho) and NON7. Buy a bottle here.
POLKA
POLKA wines redefine the boundaries of winemaking with their innovative approach, incorporating novel extraction techniques to craft tasty non-alcoholic wines. Their newest addition, the De-Alc Dry Red, showcases the elegance of South Australian cool climate Shiraz, enhanced by natural extracts from Tasmanian Pepperberry and French oak’s vanilla richness. POLKA’s collection boasts a diverse range of dry and sparkling De-Alc wines; explore the range here.
Giesen 0% Marlborough Sauv Blanc
Pour this bottle of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc during dinner, and you’ll never know the difference. This New Zealand wine is dry and crisp, made in the vineyards of Marlborough. Enjoy its refreshing finish without any alcohol added. Pick it up for $15.50.
Domaine De La Prade Merlot/Shiraz
Looking for a red to have with dinner? This organic merlot shiraz has no alcohol and all of the toffee-rich merlot grapes you could want. It even has the full-bodied experience you would get from a bottle of Shiraz. You can pick it up for $23 a bottle.
Paradox Sauv Blanc Zero Alcohol
For the savvy wine drinkers who enjoy a Savvy B, take a break from the norm and enjoy a cold glass of the fresh zero alcohol drop. This non-alc blend omits hints of tropical passionfruit so you can transport yourself to a sunny island. Why not pair it with a refreshing prawn linguine to set the scene? Get it from Jimmy Brings for $15.
Natureo De-Alcoholised Rose
There’s never a bad time for rosé. Luckily, this rose is completely alcohol-free and great for those participating those trying a sober lifestyle or simply wanting an alcohol-free wine. Made in Spain, this rose is fruity and fresh, made from shiraz and cabernet sauvignon grapes. It’s only $15 a bottle.
Plus and Minus Prosecco
This non-alcoholic prosecco is perfect for toasting to celebrate or is great with non-alcoholic cocktails. It features a delicious citrus taste with a just-cut apple on the nose. A softly effervescent palate delivers a firm weight with great fruit flavour. It also has a touch of sweet fruit and a cleansing acidity on the finish.
Best Non-Alcoholic Beer
Better Beer Zero Alc
Better Beer Zero Alc (<0.5%) is perfect for when you’re craving a cold one and are taking one for the team as the designated driver or you’re simply being sensible. It’s crisp and refreshing and the perfect beer for when you’re not drinking beers. They’ve used a ‘vacuum evaporation’ method to keep the Zero Alc beer tasting like, well, beer. Buy from Dan Murphy’s here.
Big Drop Brewing Co.
Brewed in Melbourne, Big Drop Brewing Co. produces award-winning non-alcoholic beverages of your favourite styles, including pale ales, stouts, and craft lagers. Pick up a 16-pack for $48 or a sampler case for $41.60. They’ve also just launched Australia’s first seasonal beer—Poolside DDH IPA. It’s a double dry-hopped IPA with tropical flavours and a strong hint of mango; Poolside is the perfect summer drink and a delicious craft brew option for those looking to enjoy a thirst-quenching beer but skip the booze. Buy from Boozebud here.
Lucky Saint
Lucky Saint makes superior lager, and they deliver to your door. Unlike other non-alcoholic beers, Lucky Saint uses a step mash technique and wort run-off to fermentation and dry hopping in pursuit of flavour. Each bottle is $5 and can be bought here.
Athletic Brewing Co
Get a taste of this pioneering craft beer made in the U.S. Australians can order their signature non-alcoholic Upside Dawn Golden Ale and the Run Wild IPA after its recent launch in the Australian market. Order a beer box here.
Heaps Normal
Crack open the unfiltered non-alcoholic Quiet XPA that carries tropical and citrus aromas. It only has 76 calories per serving and is vegan-friendly with no preservatives. It took home the crown of the world’s best no-and-low-alcohol pale ale at the World Beer Awards in 2022. You can also try the Coffee Run Stout or the Half Day Hazy.
Upflow Stout
This stout is a deeply roasted malt with flavours of bittersweet chocolate and just a hint of espresso. At $4.50 a can, you can pair this non-alcoholic beer with anything from decadent desserts to oysters.
Holsten 0.0%
This German-style pilsner has zero alcohol and the lowest carb and calorie count in the market, making it a healthier alternative to soft drinks and other sober options. 8.9 carbs and 40 calories per 330ml bottle.
Capital Brewing Co.
Full of flavour, Capital Brewing Co.’s ALC-LESS is a tropical Pacific Ale that showcases everything an alcoholic brew has with less tomfoolery. Delightfully refreshing, Alc-Less is fresh, crisp and clean with a smooth, satisfying finish.
Best Non-Alcoholic Canned Cocktails
Edenvale Sparkling Cuvee and Aperitivo Spritz
These delicious slim cans are convenient and tasty. The sparkling Cuvee is perfect for occasions and tastes just like sparkling wine, without alcohol. Think rich fruit flavours and a hint of zest for that refreshing aftertaste. The Aperitivo Spritz is alcohol-free, with notes of citrus, spice, and floral blossom.
Lyre’s G&T RTD
You can still enjoy a refreshing gin and tonic sans the gin. These ready-to-drink cans from Lyre’s are best served in a tall glass of ice with a slice of grapefruit and a sprig of rosemary. Expect flavours of juniper and citrus with smelling notes of jasmine and pepper berry. It’s $99 for a case of 24. Buy from BoozeBud here.
Lyre’s Dark n Spicy and American Malt Cola
Lyre’s recently launched a Dark n Spice malt cola in a ready-to-drink can. Cocktail lovers will enjoy the aromatic and slightly spiced ginger beer, which combines with a lime zest freshness for a complex yet tasty RTD. Buy from BoozeBud here.
Seedlip
Seedlip was the world’s first distilled non-alcoholic spirit. Enjoy their selection of guilt-free cocktails, including a spice grapefruit tonic RTD and the Seedlip Grove, which is a citrus-forward drink. Order the range here.
Yes You Can Drinks
Yes You Can Drinks removes the stigma of mindful drinking. Their range of alcohol-free drinks includes a signature Spritz, featuring zesty orange and rhubarb herbal scents; Dark & Stormy, refreshingly ginger with a smoky undertone, cut through with a dash of lime; and the classic G&T, just the tonic (and more!). They recently launched a new native range, including a lemon myrtle sour, Davidson plum Paloma, and a native peach bellini. Buy here.
Nocktail
Transport yourself to a tropical island with a non-alcoholic mojito or non-alcoholic strawberry daiquiri. Better yet, Nocktails have the lowest sugar content out of all the non-alcoholic cocktails in the world. Pick up a four-pack from Dan Murphy’s for $18.99.
VIA Drinks
VIA Drinks, founded by Sarah Morley and Kiersten Mason, uses VIAGENICS, Australia’s pioneering functional feel-good formula. By incorporating adaptogens, and potent plant extracts, these beverages not only uplift and soothe but also provide stress relief and enhance overall well-being—a perfect blend of taste and wellness. Explore the range here, including a classic French spritz, sparkling margarita, and brut.
FELLR Free
Beloved Aussie seltzer company FELLR released a non-alcoholic range mid-2023. Get your hands on a watermelon or mango-flavoured non-alc version, which also happens to be sugar and carb-free. There are only ten calories per can, so you can enjoy a refreshing seltzer without the guilt. Buy from Boozebud here.
Related: I’ve Been Sober for a Year — Here’s What It Did for My Anxiety
Related: How to Support a Partner Who Is Sober, When You Still Enjoy a Drink
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