The Best Alcohol-Free Drinks You Can Find in the US

By Karolina Rzadkowolska

It’s week 99 of the quarantine and I’m on a home re-organizing and re-modeling spree. The whole house was cleaned and sorted from top to bottom this past weekend. Along with a little online target shopping spree for some new home goods. Got two boxes to donate to goodwill and new bright and airy décor items that feel so much more uniquely me.

As I was organizing, I went through and found a ton of nonalcoholic drinks I had leftover from MindBar (San Diego’s premier alcohol-free experience I co-organize) or had collected over the last few years.

It’s a pretty cool collection! I’m super proud of it, because to me, it means something really big and important. Drinking culture is CHANGING.

A decade ago, I don’t think I heard the word mocktail used unless it was about a virgin pina colada. Nowadays the hippest restaurants and bars have mocktail menus. More than a handful craft breweries make solely nonalcoholic beer, and regularly breweries are getting in on the game too. Big cities, like my own, have mocktail bars, pop-up alcohol-free soirees, and day-time raves.

And it seems like every month, there’s a new alcohol-free drink company with new booze-free libations to share with the world.

Options = choice. Options = a safer society. Options = less alcohol programming and more living.

I’ve listed some of my favorite alcohol-free options you can buy on the market right now and even get delivered to your door during quarantine. It’s limited to what you can find in the US, but there are even more options worldwide.

Hope you find your new favorite!

Gruvi Prosecco

This is by far the best nonalcoholic drink I’ve had that is reminiscent of wine.

Although, it doesn’t really taste like Prosecco and I think that’s where it really shines. It’s really it’s own thing, with flavors of honeydew and peach, just like a complex wine but not. It’s very lightly sweetened and has a fruity aroma but dry taste. Also completely 0.00% alcohol.

I am definitely stocking up on these for my next dinner party, happier hour, and girls night.

“Your wealth is your health, and the beverage you consume shouldn’t compromise that.”

Gruvi

surreal brewing porter

Surreal Brewing was awarded 2019 World’s Best Nonalcoholic Beer and it’s no wonder—Surreal is making some exciting brews! They make beer-lovers beer with a Red IPA, Kolsch, Porter, and Hazy IPA on the market today.

Surreal was started by husband and wife team Donna and Tammer who felt that taste of beer shouldn’t be excluded only to alcohol drinkers. Why should living an adventurous, happy and healthy alcohol-free life exclude you to fun craft beverages? I was lucky enough to meet Donna and Tammer when we both spoke on a panel in San Francisco and they are just so passionate about creating an inclusive and healthier alternative to the craft beer scene.

It’s hard to name a favorite because each of the four beers are really flavorful and unique, but if I had to pick, it would be the porter. With notes of coffee, caramel, and a hint of smokiness.

“Here’s to a refreshing craft beer for anytime you crave the taste—no strings attached.”

Surreal Brewing or find in your local Bevmo

curious elixirs no. 1

Curious Elixirs are a ready-to-drink booze-free cocktails. The company makes three top-secret flavors, and No. 1 is bold, bitter and herbaceous—their “booze-free spin on classic stirred cocktails like the Negroni and the Old Fashioned.” By the looks of it you think it will hit you like an Old Fashioned, but upon first sip, essence of grapefruit, turmeric, and rosemary-like herby notes come through. It is very lightly sweetened, really barely any sugar at all. The taste is deep and complex and very palatable.

Curious Elixirs

athletic brewing upside dawn

We have a heavy drinking culture on our hands, and it certainly won’t change overnight. But kudos to the innovators and producers who are making space for this new reality, like the craft nonalcoholic beer movement and the people behind Athletic Brewing Company. From the founder himself, “the seed for Athletic Brewing was planted when I was evaluating my life before I was about to get married. As I looked to continue to improve my life through health and fitness, I found one area incompatible with the rest. Alcohol-drenched nights and weekends that resulted in unproductive hangovers and unhealthy meals had no place in a demanding financial career that required 24/7 focus. So, I made the choice to cut alcohol out of my life and I have never looked back. I still enjoyed going to bars and restaurants with friends, attending sporting events, weddings, barbeques and other social events. With limited non-alcoholic options (at best) to fit my new healthy, active lifestyle, I was always at a loss for a refreshing beverage that was easy to order and carried no social stigma.” So he quit his job, teamed up with an awarded brewer, and crafted delicious nonalcoholic brews.

Upside Dawn Golden Ale is one of the best NA beers I’ve had. It has a delicate aroma and balanced flavor.

Athletic Brewing Co.

kin euphorics high rhode

Kin Euphorics is re-imagining the drink scene. In a few decades, we’ll look back at the oddity that we used to drink something that also made us so sick. Kin Euphoric blends replace your nightcap or drinks out with friends but are made with no toxic or psychosomatic substances. Welcoming in the future, they’re made with adaptogens, nootropics, and other botanics.

High Rhode is herbaceous and tart with notes of hibiscus. Mix it with tonic or make a fancy mocktail out of it.

“We set out to change the way humankind connects after dark, but we can’t do it alone. Kin calls upon all creators to rise into the night and take back our morning afters. The future of revelry is here — are you with us? A new category of nightlife beverage crafted for conscious connection. All bliss, no booze.”

Kin Euphorics

bravus brewing oatmeal stouT

Bravus was one of the first NA beers I tried, and I was so blown away that things like nonalcoholic oatmeal stout even existed!

I've always loved stouts—the chocolatey, coffee, toasty, smooth mouth feel. Definitely didn’t like how I felt the next day. Bravus Oatmeal Stout bursts with coffee flavor, light smokiness, and thick caramel richness.

Bravus Brewing Company

h2ops sparkling hop water

Meet H2OPS Sparkling Hop Water. It’s flavored with hops (and they also have grapefruit flavor!) to make a sparkling water that evokes lemon, pine, and floral flavors, just like a good craft beer, but with NO ALCOHOL, NO SUGARS, AND NO CALORIES. Just pure flavor goodness. Really good on it’s own or paired with food, H2OPS water is a zero-guilt alternative.

H2OPS Sparkling Hop Water

lyre’s american malt

Spiritless spirits are also rising. Made from herbs, botanics, and other natural non-fermented ingredients, these spirits have all the punch and none of the heartache. Lyre’s makes a whole range of botanical concoctions including Dark Cane Spirit, Coffee Originale, and this American Malt.

I tried it with sugar, bitters, and orange peel of course. It’s nice, smooth, and vanilla-y.

"Out here we have a say’n, ‘Some days you eat the bear, some days the bear eats you.’ But not me, I’m a vegan."

Lyre’s

clearly kombucha Black Currant

I’m a big fan of kombucha, but somtimes it can be a tad too sweet or deep to enjoy much of. Clearly Kombucha is one of the best “light-hearted, light-tasting” kombuchas. They have a lot less sugar than typical kombuchas, and some of their flavors are more reminiscent of a light sour beer. My favorites are black currant and strawberry hibiscus and they have four other flavors (asian pear, raspberry ginger, ginger mint lemonade, and raspberry ginger).

Kombucha is one of the best beverages you could have if you’re trying to take a break from alcohol. It has a more adult and unique flavor and is available in most stores and getting really popular in restaurants and bars. Some breweries will even have a tap for kombucha (isn’t it nice to have healthier options?). Great for probiotics and love that this brand is low in sugar.

Clearly Kombucha or find in your local Sprouts or Whole Foods

spindrift Blackberry

Not up for fancy new drinks? Sometimes the simplest of choices are my favorites. Spindrift is my go-to tried and true. It’s a prepared sparkling water mixed with fresh fruit puree and somehow only comes in at thirteen calories a can. It’s a got a hint of sweetness, just enough, and tons of flavor.

I'm lovin the blackberry one but Spindrift also comes in mango, cucumber, grapefruit, raspberry lime, strawberry and cranberry.

Spindrift or find at your local Trader Joe’s and Target.

Most of my favorite drinks can be found at my favorite alcohol-free drink shop, Nano Bar. Try them out!

Not in the US? You might have even more options. If you’re in the UK or Europe check out Dry Drinker or Club Soda in Australia.