The nonalcoholic drinks category has expanded so much in recent years that it’s not uncommon to find a list of thoughtful, complex nonalcoholic beverages on a bar or restaurant’s cocktail menu—yes, even outside of the major cities. And it’s even easier to enjoy alcohol-free beverages at home thanks to a slew of brands making really good alcohol alternatives that you can order online and have delivered directly to your door.
So whether you’re sober curious, swearing off booze completely, or interested in alcohol alternatives for some other reason, here are the best nonalcoholic drinks our team has tried—including a suspiciously convincing Negroni dupe. We’ve also included some of our favorite NA wines and NA beers that deliver on complex hoppy flavors without the buzz.
The best zero-proof cocktails
When you want a fun zero-proof drink that requires zero effort, premade nonalcoholic cocktails are the way to go. These are the ones that we keep stocked in our fridges at home and in the office.
Aplós
Aplós makes spirits infused with citrus, herbal botanicals, and 20mg of broad-spectrum hemp (THC-free) for a calming, uplifting effect. You can choose a multi-serve bottle to craft your own cocktails or go for one of the brand’s ready-to-drink spritzes, like the Ume Spritz—a sparkling NA cocktail with 100mg of lion’s mane mushrooms, ume plum, oroblanco grapefruit, white tea, and sea buckthorn.
Aplós
Non-Alcoholic Cocktail, Ume Spritz
Ghia Le Spritz
Ghia entered the NA drinks world with a nonalcoholic apéritif, and the brand has continued to put out some of our staffers’ favorite nonalcoholic drinks, including Kate Kassin’s beloved Le Fizz. But the real star of the Ghia line is the collection of canned spritzes, which comes in four flavors. If you enjoy a traditional spritz, try the Ghia Soda. The Ghia Ginger is great if you love ginger beer or ginger ale but want something far less sweet, the Sumac & Chili is perfect if you like a little kick, and the Lime & Salt is a fun margarita alternative—no tequila required. If you’re not sure where to start, go for the brand’s bestsellers bundle so you can find your favorite. You can get each in a four-pack or try them all in a variety pack.
Ghia
Le Spritz Sumac & Chili Non-Alcoholic Apéritif
Ghia
Cocktail Box with Original Aperitif
St. Agrestis Phony Negroni
More than one BA staffer has waxed poetic about the Phony Negroni, a bottled (and now also canned) NA Negroni from Brooklyn, NY-based distillery St. Agrestis that tastes just as good as the real thing. If you enjoy creative takes on the cocktail, you’ll probably also love theirs, which include a Phony Mezcal Negroni, a Phony White Negroni, a Phony Espresso Negroni, and at the time of publishing, a limited release of a Phony Limone Negroni. The brand also makes an Amaro Falso if you prefer to experiment with your own NA mixology.