The best non-alcoholic drinks to enjoy at every celebration with tried and tested reviews

Best non alcoholic drinks

by Hannah Carroll |
Updated on

For someo people socialising without alcohol can be tricky, but the best non-alcoholic drinks make it easy to enjoy any occasion from Christmas, a birthday, to a family gathering. Whether you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or simply prefer a refreshing beverage without alcohol, there's something for everyone.

Gone are the days when your only choices were water or lemonade. Today, there are plenty of delicious non-alcoholic options, from alcohol-free cocktails to alternatives to your favourite spirits like vodka and gin. So with the best non-alcoholic beverages you can have all the fun without the alcohol.

Best non-alcoholic drinks at a glance:

The NHS advises that pregnant women should avoid alcohol entirely, as drinking during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, and low birth weight. Even if you're not pregnant, overindulging in alcohol can still be harmful to your health. For both men and women, it's recommended not to exceed 14 units of alcohol per week on a regular basis to reduce health risks. Staying mindful of your alcohol intake helps protect your well-being in the long term.

Mother&Baby writer Rebecca Lancaster loves a glass of Wilfred's
Mother&Baby writer Rebecca Lancaster loves a glass of Wilfred's ©Rebecca Lancaster/Mother&Baby

If you're breastfeeding, you might choose to have non-alcoholic drinks alongside any alcoholic ones. While drinking within the recommended limits is generally okay, having alcohol-free options can help you keep your intake in check. It's also advised to wait at least two hours after drinking before breastfeeding to ensure your baby isn't exposed to alcohol. For more information, check out our article on alcohol and breastfeeding.

From non-alcoholic cocktails and wine to sparkling fizzy drinks, there's an alcohol-free drink choice for everyone.

Best overall non-alcoholic gin drink

CleanCo Rhubarb offers all the refreshing flavours of rhubarb gin without alcohol, making it the perfect choice for anyone who loves flavoured gin.

This drink features classic juniper and citrus notes, with bold rhubarb and subtle hints of coriander, mint, and cinnamon. It's crafted by blending the finest gin distillates with natural flavourings.

Mother&Baby Senior Writer Hannah Carroll loves bringing it to social gatherings. She shares, "I often find it tricky to socialize when I'm not drinking alcohol. I get a serious case of FOMO, so skipping girls' night isn't an option. That's when CleanCo Rhubarb gin comes to the rescue. I love that the bottle looks just like an alcoholic one, so it doesn't draw attention to the fact that I'm not drinking, and with ice, lemon, and tonic, it tastes amazing."

Best non-alcoholic drink for beer drinkers

LUCKY SAINT Alcohol Free Beer LUCKY SAINT
Price: $47.80

Lucky Saint Alcohol-Free Beer is an unfiltered lager that delivers the full-bodied taste of a traditional beer, without the alcohol. It's brewed with premium ingredients and offers a smooth, crisp flavour with a slightly malty finish. We think it's perfect for those who want to enjoy a refreshing beer experience, alcohol-free.

Affiliate Operations Editor, Adam Binnie loves nothing more than grilling on his barbecue and enjoying a Lucky Saint. He says: "If you subscribe to the theory that it's easier to start a new habit than give up an old one, then gradually replacing your Friday night pint(s) with alcohol-free beer should be more successful than just going cold turkey. There are many reasons you might want to do this, which I won't go into here, but the fact Lucky Saint is so convincing makes that process even easier.

"To say simply that it tastes like alcoholic beer would be doing it a disservice - it tastes great, better (in my opinion) than dozens of full-strength lager brands I've subjected my body to over the years. Lucky Saint says it brews its beer first and then removes the alcohol using some sort of vacuum (presumably not a cordless one) and that's why it retains the body and flavour without that curious "something's missing" sensation.

"Keeping your fridge stocked up is super easy thanks to the subscription model, which has bottles and cans in box sizes from four to 48. You can purchase one-time only, or from one-to-eight week intervals. So there's plenty of choice. And I've just seen they've started selling an IPA if lager's not your thing. "

Best non-alcoholic mojito drinks

Citizen Spritz - non-alcoholic cocktailsCitizen Spritz

Citizen Spritz has you covered if you're looking for a replacement for your favourite cocktails. This blend contains agave syrup for sweetness, and we love that it's concentrated—a little goes a long way! Simply pour some over ice and top with sparkling water or sofa for a refreshing treat.

Arabella Horspool, our Commercial Content Writer loved tasting this drink. She said: "Refreshing and zingy, the Citizen Spritz Cool Lime Non-Alcoholic Spritz captures all of the flavours you'd expect from a mojito but with none of the alcohol, of course. It makes a great alternative to regular cocktails without compromising taste."

Best for low sugar

Belvoir Farm - best non-alcoholic drinksBelvoir Farm
Price: $3.75 (was 4.75)
https://redirect.viglink.com?key=eb32892e8a408657289072c26bd927b5&prodOvrd=PCR&opt=false&u=DRZHQksDHUpPFkMeT1dcQ0BXSlUZUQxfGQcHVl8YEhcNV0dbTUFKWgRYRldfRxpeUV5YQx8OU1gFCxQUGhIAA1BaFw4FXA1XBh0ABwUACw4UCAYCVAsB&x=v1&prdId=10989097395

Suitable for vegans, the Mango & Peach cans from Belvoir Farm are light and refreshing, plus they contain no artificial flavours or preservatives. If you're catering for a party, there are 4 cans here.

Arabella Horspool, our Commercial Content Writer who loves fruity drinks says: "These Belvoir Farm cans are great for those who enjoy fruity drinks. I found the taste to be subtle and not overpowering, making them very refreshing, The slim shape of the can means you can take them with you to a gathering or picnic, for example."

Best non alcoholic drink that gives you a buzz

TRIP Mixed Pack CBD Drinks TRIP
Price: $26.40 (was £48)

drink-trip.com

If you are looking for a non-alcoholic drink that gives you a buzz, then TRIP drinks are our favourite option.

TRIP is a CBD drink that's infused with cannabidiol (CBD), which is a compound derived from the cannabis plant. Unlike its well-known counterpart, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not produce the psychoactive effects commonly associated with marijuana.

While CBD drinks won't get you drunk or create alcohol-like effects, they will help you calm down and relax. CBD drinks are believed to have various potential health benefits, including anxiety reduction, pain management, and improved sleep.

After a busy week delivering the latest parenting news, our Senior Digital Writer, Hannah Carroll, turns to TRIP to unwind. She says, "Drinking a can of TRIP is a great way to relax. The effects are really subtle. It doesn't hit like a glass of wine but gradually helps me feel more at ease. I'm not sure if it has helped with my anxiety, but it has definitely stopped the 'hangxiety' I used to get after drinking alcohol."

Not suitable for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Best non-alcoholic drink for taste

Long Tail Mixers Ginger LimeLong Tail
Price: $8.39

This cocktail has the refreshing zing of a ginger beer cocktail, and if you close your eyes and imagine hard enough, it can transport you straight to a Caribbean island. The drink is bursting with the zest of fresh lime, complemented by the warmth of smooth Jamaican-style ginger and the rich, layered flavours of chai spices.

Senior Writer Hannah Carroll loves serving this drink when hosting her family over the holidays. She explains, "My West Indian grandfather stopped drinking years ago and finding a drink he can enjoy when he visits is always a challenge. I love that this drink is full of flavour, making it feel like I've really tried to cater to his needs. He always says, 'It tastes delicious,' and I have to agree!"

Best healthy non-alcoholic drink

Humble Warrior Sparkling Botanical DrinkHumble Warrior
Price: $39.64

The Humble Warrior Sparkling Botanical drink is derived from plants and contains natural vitamins and minerals. We love that it has no added sugars and is low in calories but flavoured, making it one of the healthiest non-alcoholic drinks on our list.

Our Senior Writer, Hannah Carroll, says, "As you can probably tell by now, I've tried a lot of alcohol-free drinks. I think this one is my personal favourite. While it doesn't taste like alcohol, it's packed with flavour and is an absolute treat for the palate. Unlike many drinks full of sugar, this one is completely guilt-free."

Best spiced non-alcoholic drink

Wilfred's Non-Alcoholic Bittersweet AperitifWilfred's

Wilfred's Spritz is ideal as a substitute for cocktails—it's spicy, complex, and delicious without any alcohol. The cloves make it a perfect winter drink, but it's also great as a summery spritz, sitting somewhere between the bitterness of a Negroni and the sweet zest of an Aperol spritz in its flavour profile.  

Digital Writer Rebecca Lancaster reaches for this instead of cocktails during a sober evening. She says, "I love Wilfred's Spritz as a substitute for cocktails - it's spicy, complex, and delicious, just without the alcohol. Some alcohol-free drinks lack a bit of depth and character, but this has tons of both!"

Best prosecco non-alcoholic drinks

Best non-alcoholic drinks NozecoTesco

Celebrations are about sparkling wine, Champagne, and Prosecco, making Tesco's Nozeco the perfect alcohol-free option. It's fruity and fizzy, and it's suitable for vegans, too.

Product and Review Editor Samantha Ball loved Nozeco during her pregnancy with her second child. She said: "I couldn't tell the difference between Nozeco and Prosecco. If anything, I thought it wasn't as dry as some Proseccos can be, but it was nice. I was 7 months pregnant when I had it, and both my mum and mother-in-law opted for a glass of Nozeco too, because they liked it."

Best ethical non-alcoholic drink

For cocktail lovers who love bold and brave flavours, we introduce you to Nuisance drinks. This mint, cucumber and chilli drink is uniquely refreshing. The bold blend of cooling cucumber, aromatic mint, and a hint of spicy chilli is perfect for those seeking a unique, thirst-quenching drink with a twist (without the alcohol, of course).

What we love most about this drink is the company's pledge to donate one per cent of all the profits to rewilding Britain. So, you can feel great at opting for this over alcohol.

Digital Writer Rebecca Lancaster says this drink is the key to looking and feeling great on a night out. She explains: "After trying to cut back on alcohol, I tried Nuisance and haven't looked back. The flavour combinations are intriguing, making it a more interesting non-alcohol alternative than juices or coke. They're light and taste healthy, so you could drink as many as you wanted on a night out and not feel bloated or full of sugar like you might do with other sugary drinks."

Best mulled wine non-alcoholic drinks

Belvoir Non-Alcoholic Mulled Winter PunchBelvoir

It's not Christmas without some warming mulled wine. This Belvoir Non-Alcoholic Mulled Winter Punch has all the taste and smells of the traditional winter drink without the booze.

Rebecca Lancaster, Digital Writer for Mother&Baby, says this is a go-to drink for her at Christmas. "I love mulled wine, but the fuzzy head the next day? Not so much. Belvoir's Mulled Winter Punch has all the spicy, warming flavours of mulled wine but none of the side effects. It's comforting and utterly delicious so it's perfect for the colder months. I stock up for Christmas because it's also ideal for older relatives who don't drink, and is more interesting for the kids than juices or squash."

Best Heineken non-alcoholic drink

Heineken 0.0 Alcohol Free BeerHeineken

With fruit notes and a malty body, this light-bodied beer is perfectly balanced and refreshing. The Heineken 0.0 Alcohol Free Beer is also 69 calories per bottle. It's a great tasting alcohol-free beer.

Best overall sparkling non-alcoholic drinks

Shloer has been a real favourite for years now, especially at Christmas. Fruity and refreshing, the Shloer Red Grape Sparkling Juice Drink is a sparkling fizzy drink that feels more grown-up than just cola or lemonade. Made from real grapes, it feels a bit like wine, but is free from artificial colours, flavourings and preservatives, and it's suitable for vegetarians and vegans too.

Best cordial non-alcoholic drinks

Best non-alcoholic drinks Bottlegreen Elderflower Cordial Bottlegreen

Not only do Bottlegreen drinks come in lovely bottles but they taste delicious too. The Bottlegreen Elderflower Cordial has a delicately light taste and contains no artificial ingredients meaning it's free from sweeteners and preservatives. It's also suitable for vegans.

Are non-alcoholic drinks tasty?

While they don't taste exactly like alcoholic drinks, a lot of the non-alcoholic drink alternatives are pretty tasty. It all comes down to personal preference for flavours and drink type.

How does your body change in one year of being sober?

In the first year of sobriety, the body undergoes significant positive changes. The liver, relieved from the constant burden of processing alcohol, experiences regeneration, leading to improved function and a potential reduction in fatty liver. Sleep patterns often stabilise, resulting in better quality and more restful sleep. Skin health may improve due to enhanced hydration, and weight management becomes more manageable.

Alcohol support

If you or someone you know is seeking alcohol support, the first step is to reach out to healthcare professionals, such as your doctor or a mental health counsellor, who can provide guidance and resources tailored to your specific situation. For more information on how to get support, please visit the NHS website.

Hannah Carroll is a Mother&Baby Senior Digital Writer. In her capacity, she curates top-notch listicles, crafts insightful how-to guides, and delivers expert product reviews. As a mother of three, Hannah draws upon her comprehensive understanding of all facets of family life to bring true insight into all the products that make running a home easier.

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How we write our articles and reviews
Mother & Baby is dedicated to ensuring our information is always valuable and trustworthy, which is why we only use reputable resources such as the NHS, reviewed medical papers, or the advice of a credible doctor, GP, midwife, psychotherapist, gynaecologist or other medical professionals. Where possible, our articles are medically reviewed or contain expert advice. Our writers are all kept up to date on the latest safety advice for all the products we recommend and follow strict reporting guidelines to ensure our content comes from credible sources. Remember to always consult a medical professional if you have any worries. Our articles are not intended to replace professional advice from your GP or midwife.