Spirits & Cocktails

What exactly is an alcohol-free spirit?

Unlike categories like beer and wine, alcohol-free spirits can be a genuinely different beast.

Some are dealcoholised from the original spirit. Others may be created by blending distilled botanical ingredients and extracts to produce a familiar flavour profile—juniper for that gin aroma, for example.

And others still may be entirely new concoctions of herbs, spices, fruits and other botanicals that don’t resemble anything you’ve had before.

What’s the point of an alcohol-free spirit—isn’t it just expensive flavoured water?

The age-old question asked of many an alcohol-free drinks producer. You might have come here with the same question yourself.

The point is simple: it’s choice.

Well-made alcohol-free spirits bring depth of flavour, complexity, aroma, texture and bite to an adult drinking experience that might otherwise be lacking those things.

A good alcohol-free spirit can add bitterness, heat, dryness, and even umami notes to a drink that a pint of lime and soda just can’t offer.

But it does have to be both made well and served well. They require a different level of care and attention than full-strength spirits.

Why don’t alcohol-free spirits taste exactly like gin, whisky or rum—and should you drink them neat?

The majority of alcohol-free spirits are not intended to be drunk neat. I know of one that is intentionally created as a sippable dark-spirit alternative (Sylva*), while others naturally pack a flavour profile that punches all by itself (Sentia Red* does that for me).

But in general, these drinks are designed to be served with a light mixer such as tonic or soda, or inside a cocktail. Not because they don’t taste of anything, but because they work better as part of a team than they do on their own.

Remember that full-strength spirits are commonly up to 40% alcohol by volume. That will always taste different from something that is only 0.5%.

How do you use alcohol-free spirits in cocktails—can you simply swap them measure for measure?

Because alcohol carries much of the flavour profile of full-strength drinks, swapping in low/no-spirit alternatives sometimes means the measures won’t be the same.

If you’re used to strong flavours, you may want an extra shot in your glass, or to add less mixer.

Also think about your garnish, ice, and glassware, and take care of the drink to get the best taste experience.

Why do some alcohol-free spirits use chilli or pepper extract — is that meant to fake the alcohol “burn”?

Honestly, yes. Brands have used chillies and other heat-giving sensory ingredients to try to recreate the kick you get from full-strength alcohol.

Lately, however, it’s become less common as brands explore different ingredients and production methods to achieve a similar result.

And of course, not all brands are trying to recreate the ‘burn’ of alcohol. Some focus purely on making an enjoyable drink, rather than one that tastes like booze.

Are alcohol-free cocktails and mocktails always sweet and full of sugar?

The cocktail/mocktail great debate gets many people up in arms. In early iterations of low/no, sugars and syrups were used to add body and texture to drinks.

However, as the generations of drinks have evolved, so too has the recipe development, and it’s no longer correct to assume that a mocktail is just a mix of sugary juices with an umbrella.

If you like sweeter drinks, there are options for you. If you prefer dry or bitter or herbaceous drinks (really anything else), there are options for you too now.

How long do alcohol-free spirits last once opened, and should they go in the fridge?

This is a tricky one. Without alcohol as a preservative, alcohol-free spirits definitely do not last as long as full-strength ones when it comes to being safe to consume.

Some producers have developed drinks that can remain safe to drink for up to a year if unopened.

Once they are opened, it is generally best to keep them refrigerated and consume within a few weeks to a couple of months.

But there is such a wide range of products out there that the genuinely best advice is to check the bottle or the manufacturer’s website and follow their guidance.

Why can an alcohol-free cocktail cost almost as much as one with alcohol?

Because alcohol is only a small part of the cost of producing a drink and it’s also one of the cheapest ingredients in your cocktail.

Some alcohol-free spirits are made by producing a full-strength drink and then removing the alcohol. Others are built from distilled botanicals, extracts and flavourings. Either route can require specialist equipment, extensive recipe development and additional work to recreate the flavour, texture and shelf life that alcohol would ordinarily provide.

Once you get to the venue, the bartender’s time and skill, the cost of delivery and storage, the management of service and utilities all cost the same regardless of the ABV of the final drink.

Do alcohol-free spirits still contain trace alcohol—and can they get you drunk?

Some do, and some don’t. Like everything in this space, it’s best to check the labels for complete clarity.

Some are labelled 0.0%, while others may contain up to 0.5% ABV, depending on the product and where it was made.

But even at 0.5%, this is still considered a trace amount, and you would have to drink an impossibly large quantity impossibly quickly to feel any level of intoxication, as your body processes that amount of alcohol faster than it can cause intoxication.