The 13 Best Nonalcoholic Drinks of 2026, Perfect for Dry January

Pros

• Tastes like the real thing
• Has a gluten-free option
• Great for those who enjoy IPAs

Cons

• Gluten-free version lacks carbonation

Athletic Brewing Company, a Connecticut-based brewing company that specializes in nonalcoholic craft beer, sent me three selections to try: Run Wild IPA, Free Wave Hazy IPA and Upside Dawn Golden Ale. The brewing company also has its own stout beer and other limited-edition beers. To develop its nonalcoholic beer, Athletic Brewing uses only four ingredients: water, hops, yeast and barley. They also keep the alcohol by volume, or ABV, under 0.5% to meet the qualifications of a nonalcoholic beer. 

Much to my surprise, the Run Wild IPA and Free Wave Hazy IPA taste exactly like a traditional alcoholic IPA, and have enough carbonation to pass for one, too. The Upside Dawn Golden Ale is the only version of the three that is gluten-free but tastes the least carbonated and slightly darker than I prefer. However, related to Upside Dawn being gluten-free, Athletic Brewing Company notes, "This product is fermented from grains containing gluten and crafted to remove gluten. The gluten content of this product cannot be verified, and this product may contain gluten."

I had friends who brew their own beer weigh in on this company's products and they found Athletic to be a solid choice for the best nonalcoholic beer. I would recommend Athletic Brewing Company as a substitution for those who enjoy IPAs but are trying to cut back on their alcohol intake. 

Pros

• Great packaging
• Realistic smell
• Contains B-vitamins and amino acids

Cons

• Preferred the bourbon over the tequila and gin

I was impressed by the packaging of Free Spirits because these deceptively look like real bottles of bourbon, tequila or gin. What's even more surprising is how realistic the gin and bourbon smelled upon opening the bottles. The bourbon, my favorite selection of the three, had the flavors and elements of the actual liquor (such as a smooth wood oak-like aroma, combined with vanilla and other spices).

Free Spirits follows a process called Distillate Reconstruction, which involves identifying each spirit's unique flavors and raw materials and then distilling those materials into natural extracts and botanicals. The brand also infuses its nonalcoholic spirits with B vitamins and amino acids to help enhance your mood and make the drinks more nutritious. Free Spirits can be served on its own or mixed into your favorite cocktail.

Pros

• Maintains carbonation
• Well-balanced flavors
• Not too sweet
• Refreshing

Cons

• Not for people who dislike dark and stormies

Pros

• Made from real agave, so it tastes natural
• No artificial aftertaste
• Works great as a tequila substitute for cocktails

Cons

• Not as versatile for sipping neat

At my housewarming party, I wanted to have a solid nonalcohlic option that didn't compromise on taste, and Almave Blanco delivered. It's easily one of the most authentic nonalcoholic alternatives I've tested. I used it for margaritas, and my guests (many of whom drink real tequila) were seriously impressed. It has the bright taste you expect from a good tequila, without the burn of alcohol. This nonalcoholic spirit is made from agave, so it doesn't have that artificial, overly sweet taste that some other nonalcoholic spirits do, It's smooth but still has enough depth to hold its own in a cocktail.

Whether you're skipping the booze entirely or just pacing yourself, this is a fantastic alternative to keep your cocktails interesting without losing the complexity of a traditional margarita.

Pros

• Great flavor
• Great for those who don't normally drink beer
• Beer drinkers will also enjoy

I'm not a big beer drinker, but I've found I enjoy a classic Samuel Adams seasonal beer. I was impressed by Samuel Adams Just the Haze nonalcoholic IPA beer, which was released last year. It took two years in the making to perfect the Sam Adams nonalcoholic IPA recipe.

The flavors that make up Just the Haze include a full-bodied brew of citrus such as grapefruit, tangerine and lime, and fruity notes from pineapple, guava, melon and peach. 

This was one of the best nonalcoholic brews I tried. The Sam Adams Just the Haze is a drink that IPA lovers and those who normally aren't beer drinkers can enjoy alike. The best part is that you don't have to worry about a buzz after a couple of these. 

Pros

• Great design
• Unique flavors
• Reviewers love Nightcap

Upon looking at the Three Spirit bottles, I was captivated by the design and sleek, bewitching style. These nonalcoholic spirits were developed by plant scientists, bartenders, herbalists and artists, and you can definitely see each influence. The three different spirits available are called Livener, Social Elixir and Nightcap. When I tried them, I couldn't pinpoint what they reminded me of, because I've never tried anything like it. Each is unique in its own way and has different flavor profiles. 

The Livener is caffeinated and is the most invigorating of the three made up of green tea, guayusa, watermelon and berries. The Social Elixir is a darker, bittersweet blend that consists of passionflower, yerba mate, cacao, molasses and other spices. The Nightcap is intended to mellow you out and has valerian root, Canadian maple syrup and lemon balm, among other herbs. 

These are best used as mixers to complement other cocktails or can be consumed on their own, over ice. Reviewers appear to favor the Nightcap overall because of its mellow flavor and because it relaxes them -- ideal for winding down at the end of a long day.

Pros

• Rosé maintains carbonation
• Red blend is realistic

Pros

• Preferred the Blonde ale
• Great for people who enjoy light beer

Cons

• Lacks body and carbonation

Pros

• Hoppy Refresher is like a sweeter flavored seltzer
• Hoppy Refresher is gluten-free
• IPNA tastes like traditional IPA

Cons

• Some reviewers dislike the IPNA's taste

Lagunitas, best known for its IPAs, has its own line of nonalcoholic beers that are sure to appeal to sober-curious beer lovers, including the Hoppy Refresher and IPNA. 

The Hoppy Refresher is clear and sparkling and is brewed using citra, equinox and centennial hops, and it tastes fruity. It reminded me of a sweeter yet refreshing flavored seltzer that could be enjoyed on its own or mixed in nonalcoholic cocktails. 

The IPNA is made up of the same ingredients featured in Lagunitas original IPA. Its ingredients include dry hops, mosaic and citra, and its flavor profile has hints of citrus and pine. It has less than 0.5% ABV and tastes exactly like a traditional IPA -- which means Lagunitas stayed true to its original product but left out most of the alcohol. If you're already a Lagunitas fan, you'll appreciate this nonalcoholic substitution.  

Pros

• Created to help the body function
• Describes what the drink is meant to do on the can
• Ingredients are easy to understand
• Unique tastes you don’t get from other brands
• Love Lightwave and Dream Light as nighttime beverages for sleep

Cons

• High Rhode, Actual Sunshine and Kin Spritz drinks contain caffeine, which may not be for some
• Picklesecco is a bit too dill-forward for my taste buds

Founded in 2017 by Bella Hadid and Jen Batchelor, Kin Euphorics is rooted in Ayurvedic medicine and creates nonalcoholic functional beverages meant to nourish the body and mind. Specifically, the brand incorporates adaptogens (which help the body deal with stress), nootropics (meant to enhance brain function) and botanics (plants that can help the body while improving taste). 

Kin Euphorics kindly sent me its line of drinks to try, and this has become my new favorite beverage brand. Though I enjoyed all the drinks, out of the canned ones, these are what I'd recommend: Lightwave, which is noncaffeinated, meant to calm you down, and tastes like a lavender-vanilla root beer; the fruity Actual Sunshine, which contains 33 milligrams of caffeine and works to boost both your immunity and complexion (it includes bovine collagen, making it nonvegan); the caffeine-free Kin Bloom, which was created to provide “heart-opening joy” and tastes like a sparkling white grape juice; and Luna Morada, a noncaffeinated drink based on the Latin American Chicha, meant to support your liver and digestion. The latter is beautifully spicy, with prominent pineapple, tamarind and chili flavors.

There's also the postbiotic Picklesecco, which I enjoyed in small quantities but which was a bit too dill-forward for me to drink in full. I did think the pickle taste was fun, though. Also, for reference, postbiotics are the waste left behind after your body digests prebiotics and probiotics. Useful postbiotics can help encourage the growth of healthy bacteria and slow the growth of harmful bacteria. Lastly, Kin Spritz, which I personally didn’t love as much as the others taste-wise, contains 50 milligrams of caffeine. As someone who tries to avoid caffeine, I wouldn't drink this one again, but if you need a pick-me-up during the day, I could see you enjoying it. 

My favorite of the Kin Euphorics made-to-mix drinks was Dream Light, which is noncaffeinated and designed to help you sleep, with reishi mushroom, melatonin and l-tryptophan. I loved mixing this warm-spicy concoction with oat milk and heating it up before bed. For nonalcoholic happy hours, there's High Rhode, which contains 50 milligrams of caffeine per serving, Rhodiola rosea (for energy, per the brand), 5-HTP (for joy) and GABA (for easing stress). It has a pleasant citrus taste that works well when added to sparkling water and fruit juice (I used apple). Available for preorder is Matchatini, which I haven't tried yet. 

Pros

• Paloma has a crisp grapefruit flavor
• Island spritz is beautifully coconut-y
• Contains ingredients meant to boost mood and calm you down
• Low-calorie
• Low-sugar

Cons

• May not be for those who dislike more robust flavors
• Not for those who dislike sparkling drinks

In 2017, Recess was launched to provide drinks designed to make you feel calm. In addition to Recess, the brand’s hemp and adaptogen drink, there are also the magnesium and adaptogen Recess Mood, alcohol-free Recess Zero Proof and Recess Mood Powder lines. 

For testing, Recess sent me its Recess Zero Proof cosmo, island spritz, lime margarita and grapefruit paloma. I genuinely enjoyed all of these drinks, but my favorites were the Zero Proof paloma and island spritz. 

The Recess Zero Proof paloma has a perfectly intense grapefruit flavor mixed with a welcome amount of fizz. It is made with red rio grapefruit juice, uplifting guayusa (a holly tree with leaves believed to have mood-boosting, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits) and balancing adaptogens. If you love a refreshing paloma, then you will probably enjoy this nonalcoholic version. 

As for the island spritz, it also contains guayusa and balancing adaptogens, but has a pineapple-coconut flavor that is super tasty. I especially love how coconut-y the drink is and how it’s balanced out with the more fruity pineapple.

Pros

• Whiskey alternative is beautifully smokey
• Rum alternative has a unique flavor that adds depth
• Agave spirit alternative is perfect in fruity drinks
• Bottles have a thoughtful design

Cons

• Not for people who are looking to consume these beverages on their own
• Whiskey alternative does not taste as good in fruity drinks, in my opinion
• For those who prefer less smoke in their whiskey, this alternative may not be for them

Ritual Zero Proof was launched in 2019 to provide zero-proof spirits that are low- or no-calorie, low-sugar, gluten-free and contain all-natural flavors. The line now includes nonalcoholic agave spirit, rum, whiskey, gin and aperitif alternatives, all of which Ritual Zero Proof kindly gifted me to try. It’s important to note that these drinks are meant to be enjoyed in mocktails and not alone.

Of all five spirits I tried, my favorites were the whiskey, rum and agave spirit alternatives. The nonalcoholic whiskey is reminiscent of actual whiskey with its vanilla, oak, smoke, caramel and toasted spice inclusions. It was great in a nonalcoholic whiskey and cola, but I wouldn’t recommend it with fruity drinks because of its smoky flavor (unless you enjoy a smoky, fruity drink).

The rum was a blend of flavors, including vanilla, ripe banana, bitter orange, star anise, fresh ginger and charred apricot. It was also great in zero-proof rum and cola. I especially enjoyed the citrus and fruit tang.

The agave spirit alternative paired well with fruitier beverage additions (such as Olipop’s orange squeeze), as it contains ingredients such as blue agave flower, Mexican lime and tropical guava. These flavors pair beautifully with the rum alternative’s charred oak, mesquite smoke, prickly ash and green bell pepper. You can taste the drink’s flavors in all their complexity, which creates a thoughtful beverage.

Aside from the taste, I also love the look of these bottles. Each has a sturdy wood cork, helpful labeling with all the ingredients and a beautiful glass shape. Plus, the drinks each have their own color -- for instance, rum is orange while agave spirit is blue -- which I found to be a nice touch.

Pros

• Le Fizz has a delightfully sweet flavor
• Le Fizz’s strawberry and orange blossom pair nicely together
• Love the large bottle
• Love the sparkling texture

Cons

• Le Fizz may not be for those who prefer more bitter aperitifs
• Not for those who dislike sparkling beverages

Known for its spirits-free aperitif, Ghia was created in 2020 by Melanie Masarin. Following its original nonalcoholic aperitif, Ghia has since released nonalcoholic berry, lime and salt, ginger, sumac and chili and soda aperitifs in both can and bottle formats. These are all alcohol-free, vegan and gluten-free with no artificial flavors or added sugars.

The brand recently released its strawberry and orange blossom Le Fizz, which it sent me to try. Although I’m not typically a fan of aperitifs because of their bitterness, I enjoyed this sweet, bubbly version. The strawberry and orange blossom pair well together to offset the tartness of the aperitif itself.

However, if you do not have a sweet tooth and would prefer a more bitter drink, then you will likely enjoy all of Ghia’s other flavors. Out of the rest of its line, I’ve only had the sumac and chili, which was too bitter and spicy for my personal taste.