Image shows a bartender placing a lime on the rim of a non-alcoholic cocktail

Laura Frances

Upon hearing the terms ‘sober’, ‘sober-curious’, or ‘teetotal’, the connotations that spring to mind will likely be much different now than in previous decades. With recent surveys showing that 8.4 million UK adults are teetotal and that one in three of us regularly consume low-alcohol or no-alcohol beverages, it’s easy to see why alcohol-free cocktail options are in such high demand.

While in previous years alcohol-free would mean a boring glass of lemonade, drinks menus and supermarket aisles are now booming with non-alcoholic options. We now have a variety of alcohol-free beers, wines, spirits, and favourite cocktails to choose from.

Does alcohol-free actually mean alcohol-free?

It’s important to note the distinction between low-alcohol and alcohol-free when looking at these beverages.

Low-alcohol drinks still tend to contain a very small amount of alcohol, between 0.05% and 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV). However, if your goal is to be teetotal, you can take comfort in the fact that these percentages are notably lower than what’s found in regular alcoholic beverages. For context, a ripe banana contains up to 0.4% ABV, and rye bread can contain up to 0.18% ABV. 

“alcohol is made when yeast is fermented in the sugars of grains, fruits and vegetables”

In terms of non-alcoholic beer, many manufacturers actually aim to keep around 0.5% ABV in their drinks as it preserves the taste. Beer with 0% alcohol will likely taste watered down, and the brewing process may have been skipped altogether.

So, if you would rather avoid alcohol content altogether, then be sure to read the labels. There are still plenty of 0% options out there.

Am I sacrificing taste by going alcohol-free?

Advancements in the fermentation and distillation process mean that manufacturers are now able to successfully match the taste of alcohol-free drinks to their alcoholic counterparts.

To break it down, alcohol is made when yeast is fermented in the sugars of grains, fruits, and vegetables. Mixing these ingredients with non-fermentable sugars allows manufacturers to control the process and ensure that alcohol content never goes above 0.5%. This means that you can still enjoy the taste of your favourite drink, but avoid the hangover.

Image is an alcohol-free cocktail
Image courtesy of Rirri on Unsplash. No changes were made to this image. Image license found here.

Alcohol-free cocktail alternatives

Margarita

As one of the most popular cocktails around, you’ll be glad to know that you can still enjoy a margarita without the alcohol.

Margaritas are usually made using tequila and a variety of citrus juices, which is what gives them that signature fruity punch. Because the flavours in a margarita are so strong, removing the tequila actually takes very little away from the taste.

You can follow a traditional margarita recipe and substitute tequila for sparkling water, or you can purchase ready-to-drink margaritas online, such as this alcohol-free margarita from The Alcohol-Free Shop.

Mojito

Similar to a margarita, mojitos also pack a fruity punch. Removing the rum from a mojito does very little to alter the taste.

If you’re not a fan of citrus, try mixing things up and give strawberry, passionfruit, or ginger mojitos a go!

Again, you could follow a traditional recipe and experiment with substitutions, or check out Savyll Beverage Company’s ready-to-drink alcohol-free mojito.

Gin and Tonic

Alcohol-free G&Ts are commonly made with syrups to replicate the botanical taste of a traditional one. However, thanks to the creation of alcohol-free gins, you can level up your teetotal G&T game. Alcohol-free gin gives an authentic taste, minus the sugary ingredients that make your face pucker.

Why not try Gordon’s 0.0% gin, which contains no more than 0.015% ABV?

Champagne and Prosecco

Although not technically a cocktail, champagne and prosecco are some of the most common alcoholic drinks in existence.

There’s nothing like cracking open a bottle of prosecco with your friends at brunch or popping a cork to celebrate a special occasion. Fortunately, there are many varieties of alcohol-free alternatives, such as Nozeco. I can also personally recommend Kylie Minogue’s 0% sparkling rose.

“No longer are nights out limited to Coca-Cola and lemonade”

If you’re still not sure what to order next time you’re at a bar, don’t be afraid to ask the bartender. If they’re truly good at their craft, they should be able to make you an alcohol-free alternative to almost any drink on the menu. Nights out are no longer limited to Coca-Cola and lemonade for those who choose to go alcohol-free.

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Featured image courtesy of Airam Dato on Pexels. No changes were made to this image. Image license found here.

Laura is a freelance writer with a keen interest in health and lifestyle content, and a lover of poetry, true crime and Greek mythology. She is an Editorial Assistant with Scotland Grows Magazine - Scotland's only digital gardening magazine, with readers in over 60 countries worldwide. As a proud feminist and someone who lives with chronic illness, she believes in the importance of having open conversations around women's health issues and working to increase representation in healthcare.

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