Our expert guide to booze-free drinks that will have you reaching for a top-up

Ah, summer. The perfect moment for an Aperol Spritz in a pub garden, a glass of champagne at a wedding or a crisp white wine at a barbecue.

Or maybe not. Because it looks like we’re going to have an unexpectedly dry summer this year (and no, I don’t mean the weather).

Because while doing Dry January to detox after Christmas has become the norm, drinking habits in the UK seem to have changed so much that many of us are going alcohol-free for the rest of the year too. For the first time, more non-alcoholic drinks were bought in June this year than in Dry January. As many as 9 million of us went dry in January this year, according to research from the IWSR and Alcohol Change UK – one million more than in 2022.

Young people in particular reject the ‘let’s get smashed’ culture of the 1990s. But even older drinkers are changing their ways and embracing no (max. 0.5% ABV) and low (max. 1.2% ABV) alcohol alternatives.

The no-low category grew 9% in 2022 alone, with the volume share of the entire UK drinks market set to nearly triple by 2026. So what’s behind the surge? The global well-being trend has played a role, as has increased awareness of the impact of drinking on our mental health – the term ‘hangxiety’ (the feeling of terrible anxiety after heavy drinking) is sure to be one of the buzzwords of 2023.

We are also more aware of our physical health; Studies from Alcohol Change UK show that drinkers felt they drank way too much during the pandemic and therefore made a conscious decision to cut down. Rising alcohol costs also play a role.

To that end, demand has skyrocketed for sophisticated alcohol alternatives that make non-drinking at social events feel more inclusive – leading to an explosion of non-alcoholic offerings that are high quality, complex and interesting.

As a Gen Xer in the beverage business, I’ve followed this space with interest, often lamenting that during both of my pregnancies, just a few years ago, there was no choice for non-drinkers other than water or sugary soft drinks.

But in the years since, there have been enough new alternatives to pique my interest. All major liquor brands offer non-alcoholic versions, while sparkling teas, mood-enhancing botanicals and CBD drinks are gaining popularity much faster than non-alcoholic wine.

And watch out for drinks with “GABA technology,” where substances help release the neutrotransmitter GABA in the brain, leading to the “sweet spot” feelings of relaxation and coziness you get after two drinks, without the downsides .

So if you want to cut back on alcohol this summer, there are many options. While some brands don’t quite get it right, others are really pleasant to drink. Here’s my guide to the best. . .

RED WINE

• Oddbird Domaine De La Prade Organic Merlot & Shiraz, 0.5% (£6.37, amazon.co.uk)

drinkable, gutsy red wine without the alcohol. Made with Merlot and Shiraz, it’s juicy and spicy, just like the boozy version of the blend. Impressive, although it contains more sugar than you would expect given how dry it tastes.

• Nine Elms No. 18 Ruby Velven, 0.3% (£25, daylesford.com)

Although described as a spirit in some places, this feels more like a Pinot Noir, with its light body and notes of raspberry spice. Drink it alone as wine or mix it with ice and lemonade or sparkling water.

WHITE WINE

• M&S Sauvignon Blanc 0.05% (£4.25, ocado.com)

Sauvignon Blanc grapes seem to work well when dealcoholized thanks to strong, citrusy and grassy aromas. Crunchy and fresh with a good bite, it does its job.

• McGuigan Zero Sauvignon Blanc, 0%, (£4, tesco.com)

Another well-balanced Sauvignon that is slightly heavier in terms of fruitiness. Think baked apple and candied lemon peel with a characteristic spiciness in the aftertaste.

SPARKLING WINE

• Wild Idol alcohol-free sparkling rosé, 0% (£25, ocado.com)

Unlike most non-alcoholic wine, Wild Idol never contains alcohol, despite being made with the wine grapes Müller-Thurgau, Dornfelder and Merlot. The result is a fresh and zesty pink bubble with juicy raspberry and rosehip notes. It has a bit of a cult following, but is a bit pricey.

• Thompson and Scott Noughty Brut, 0% (£7.25, ocado.com)

One of the first highly drinkable bubbly brands to launch in this space. Round and ripe with notes of peach pie and melon. It would also make a great no booze drink.

BEER

• Lucky Saint Lager, 0.5% (£6 for four bottles, tesco.com)

This was the first alcohol free lager I tried that didn’t taste like it was burnt or cooked. Rich, yet crunchy and deliciously grainy, this was a game changer when it launched.

• ONLTD. IPA and Lager, 0.5%, (£25 for 12 bottles, unltd.beer)

Another great beer brand that offers gluten-free, vegan, non-alcoholic IPAs and lagers that do the job when you want a crunchy sip after work. The style is refreshing with a satisfyingly bitter kick.

CIDER

• Maison Sassy Cidre, 0% (£3, harveynichols.com)

The modern face of Normandy cider with its slick packaging, Sassy has launched a 0% ABV version and it’s delicious, with crisp red apple notes and a hint of brioche and toffee apple.

• Thatchers Zero Alcohol Cider, 0% (£1.90, sainsburys.co.uk)

Thatchers products are seriously refreshing. Bursting with delicious ripe apple fruit and a spicy acidity.

TEQUILA

• Lyre’s Agave Blanco Spirit, 0% (£23.49, amazon.co.uk)

Lyre’s is the brand to watch for authentic, earthy Tequila alternatives.

RUM

• Caleño Dark & ​​Spicy Non-Alcoholic Spirit, 0.5% (£13, waitrose.com)

cheerful spirit-a-like inspired by the founder’s Colombian roots. A fruity spiced rum vibe with hints of orange peel, cinnamon and tropical fruit notes. Not surprisingly, it goes well with coke.

GIN

• Tanqueray Alcohol Free, 0% (£17, waitrose.com)

A classic of a classic and they’ve done the job well, they taste very close to the original.

WHISKEY

• Mother Root Ginger Switchel, 0% (£24, motherroot.london)

This is known as a switchel: drinks made with apple cider vinegar to mimic the bite of alcohol, but also have benefits for your gut. One for whiskey aficionados, this is spicy and complex.

• Sentia Spirits Black, 0% (£29.50, sentiaspirits.com)

If you like a smoky, spicy whiskey then this is for you. And thanks to GABA technology, which mimics some of the brain chemistry that makes you feel tipsy, you can feel happy without the downside.

APEROL

• Lyre’s Italian Spritz, 0% (£23.50, lyres.co.uk)

This tastes almost exactly like Aperol when diluted with tonic – but without the alcohol.