I tried the best nonalcoholic drinks—these are the ones I'd buy again
From zero-proof wines and spirits to cannabis-infused sparkling mocktails, these are the alternatives that never make me miss alcohol.
There’s something deeply satisfying about pouring a glass of Malbec or cracking open a cold IPA on a Friday night. But sometimes I just want the ritual—the punch of flavor, the fancy glassware, the feeling of marking a moment—without the disrupted sleep or the rude reminder the next morning that my body does not, in fact, bounce back like it used to in my 20s.
Luckily, it’s easier than ever to find a nonalcoholic alternative.
These days, you can find an alcohol-free version of just about everything, from margaritas and mojitos to porters and pinot grigios. NA drinks have officially gone from a niche option strictly for pregnancy and sobriety to a legitimate category of beverages people are actively choosing—whether they’re cutting back, taking a break, or simply curious.
But after testing dozens of NA beers, wines, and mocktails, I’ve learned they are not all created equal. Some I genuinely look forward to sipping. Others taste like someone whispered “margarita” over sparkling water.
These are the ones I’d actually buy again.
What I looked for
Complexity of flavor
Not a ton of added sugar
Genuinely feels like a treat after a long day
What I looked for
Doesn’t have more than a few grams of added sugar
Worth the price (high-quality ingredients)
Complex, multi-dimensional flavor
Best wine alternatives
ISH NA Merlot
Best for: Cozy nights in, pizza and pasta dinners, curling up with a good book
Red wine is probably the hardest nonalcoholic category to nail—most alternatives just taste like grape juice: thin, sweet, and flat. That’s partly because dealcoholization methods often strip away some of the aromas that give wine its complex flavors. But this one carries some surprising body—it’s food-friendly and fruit-forward the way you’d expect a merlot to be, but has a little more dimension than most other NA reds I’ve tried.
(Use code WELLBENT10 for 10% off your first order)
Eins Zwei Drei Riesling
Best for: Happy hour, spicy fare, and day drinking
I live for a German riesling in the summer—it goes with everything from sushi and charcuterie to spicy stir-fries. This one is spectacular. It’s well-rounded, fruity without being nauseatingly sweet, and refreshing as hell. Sometimes I opt for the sparkling version, which comes in cans—perfect for picnics and the beach.
Yes Way Rosé
Best for: Girls' nights, baby and bridal showers, picnics, sunny afternoons on the patio
If you firmly believe no patio hang is complete without a bottle of rosé, trust me: this one is the one to reach for when you’re skipping (or cutting back on) alcohol. I’ve tried too many dealcoholized rosés to count and most either have little flavor whatsoever or taste suspiciously sour. I almost gave up on trying to find an NA option, until I tried this one—it boasts all the elegant floral and ripe fruit flavors a of a classic Provençal-style rosé, and plays just as well with seafood as it does with salads and cheese boards.
Société de la Rassi Sparkling Wine
Best for: Celebrations, mimosas at brunch, toasting life's small wins
Last year I found out I was pregnant right after Christmas—so, on occasions that call for bubbles (New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day, our dating anniversary) this was my go-to. Many of the sparkling wines I’ve tried are closer to a syrupy moscato, and fail to capture champagne’s quintessential dry bite—but not this one. It tastes expensive, with a nuance and dimension of flavor that most NA wines fail to achieve. Pop this for dinner parties, at-home date nights, or my personal favorite use case: a truly luxurious Friday night bath.
Best NA beers
Athletic Lite
Best for: BBQs, beach days, watching the game, mowing the lawn
This is everything you want in a light beer: It’s highly crushable, thirst-quenching, and won’t weigh you down. You still get that characteristically “bready” flavor and subtly sweet finish—but without the hangover. (It also clocks in at only 25 calories and 5 carbs, if you care about that sort of thing.)
Athletic Brewing Co “Paloma”
Best for: Taco Tuesday, pool days, sipping on the patio
This is quite possibly the best impulse purchase I’ve ever made. I picked up a 4-pack while visiting family in Texas, and let’s just say it didn’t last more than a couple of days. With zesty grapefruit and a pinch of agave, it’s like a hybrid between a wheat beer and a paloma—tart but not overly sweet. I like to crack one over ice and serve it with a lime wedge.
Samuel Adams Just The Haze
Best for: IPA lovers, burgers off the grill, football Sundays
This NA hazy IPA has won multiple awards at the World Beer Cup, and after tasting it, I could instantly see why. It’s bursting with tropical fruit flavors and citrusy hops, and unlike most alcohol-removed beers, it’s surprisingly full-bodied. Keep this one on hand for summer barbecues—even our guests who enjoy alcohol eagerly ask for a second round.
Best for cocktail energy
Hiyo Organic Social Tonic
Best for: Happy hour, hosting friends, winding down without the booze
When I see the word “adaptogens” in a company’s marketing claims, my skepticism instantly gets triggered—but I’ve genuinely felt calmer and more zen while drinking these on more than one occasion. Placebo effect? Possibly. But who cares? It takes the edge off after a long work day, and I don’t pay for it the next morning. Personally, I’m a partial to the strawberry guava, blackberry lemon, and peach mango flavors.
A quick word: I’ll be honest—I almost didn’t buy these because they contain a sugar alcohol called erythritol. A 2023 study that made a lot of headlines found that people with the highest blood erythritol levels were more likely to experience cardiovascular events in the years following—but (and this is a big but) the study had major limitations and flaws, and didn’t prove causality. After reviewing all the existing research on it, I’ve concluded that erythritol is probably fine in modest amounts. I just make sure I’m not consuming it in multiple products every day.
Almave Blanco
Best for: Salt-rimmed glasses, ranch water, and better decisions
The first few nonalcoholic alternatives I tried left much to be desired. This one floored me from the get-go: I took a whiff after opening the bottle and genuinely had to double-check the label to make sure it’s not the real stuff. I’m pretty convinced that’s because it’s actually distilled from real blue Weber agave, (rather than flavored water, as most NA tequilas are). It’s a spectacular base for a marg (frozen or on the rocks), but it also holds its own with sparkling water and a twist of lime. Note that Almave also makes a reposado alternative (Ámbar) and a smoky mezcal alternative (Humo) if those are more your speed.
Cann
Best for: Unwinding after a long day, backyard hangs, movie nights
I’d call cannabis a frenemy—when it’s good to me, it’s great. When it’s not, I teeter on the edge of a panic attack and hide in the corner stuffing my face with Swedish Fish (a real thing that happened once). Cann has never steered me wrong, though. It’s made with microdoses of THC and CBD, which many people find easier to titrate than traditional edibles. For me, Cann scratches a similar itch as having a drink—I feel just a little more relaxed, but generally less foggy than I do after a couple of cocktails.
The lemon lavender and yuzu elderflower are my favorite year-round flavors, but I eagerly stock up on cranberry sage every holiday season. My favorite product, though, is the Roadies—single-serve packets that I can stash in my purse and mix into a can of seltzer at social gatherings. They’re ridiculously convenient when everyone else is drinking and I want zero-proof option that still brings the party vibes.
A few important caveats: Cannabis affects everyone differently. Even low-dose products can impair judgment and reaction time, so don’t drive after drinking one. Start low, give it plenty of time to take effect before having more, and skip it altogether if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, have a history of psychosis, or know cannabis tends to worsen your anxiety.
Sober(ish) Drops
Best for: DIY mocktails, customizing your dose, experimenting without committing to a canned drink
If you’re flirting with the idea of cannabis drinks but want a little more control, Sober(ish) Drops are my favorite “choose your own adventure” option. Instead of committing to a pre-made beverage, you can add drops to just about anything—sparkling water, iced tea, lemonade, or even one of the NA spirits on this list—and customize the dose to your comfort level. That flexibility makes them appealing whether you’re microdosing or simply want to experiment without opening an entire can.
Spindrift SODA
Best for: Afternoon pick-me-ups, weeknight dinners, satisfying a soda craving with less sugar
Don't confuse Spindrift SODA with the brand's classic sparkling water. This newer line is noticeably bolder and more flavorful, thanks to higher concentrations of real fruit juice and ingredients like vanilla extract and cherry purée. The Lemon Lime tastes like Sprite's crunchier cousin, while the Orange Vanilla is pure creamsicle nostalgia. Both feel a little more special than your average seltzer.
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What should I test next? I’m always looking for products that genuinely make healthy living easier (or just more enjoyable). If there’s an NA beer, wine, mocktail, or spirit you think deserves a spot in the next edition of this guide, let me know in the comments below.