Enjoy a bev (minus the buzz) with the best non-alcoholic cocktails for Dry January and beyond. We found flavorful picks for fans of bitter, herbaceous, sweet or fruity sippers. Cheers!
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The phrase “sober curious” entered the lexicon within the last couple years, but for those who partake, it’s so much more than another internet buzzword—it’s a lifestyle. This passionate, ever-growing group of non-drinkers has prompted the enhancement of canned mocktails. As more people decrease their alcohol intake during Dry January (or eliminate it altogether), so increases the amount of non-alcoholic canned cocktails on the market.
Whether you’re considering sobriety just for Dry January or you’re serious about sobriety as a long-term solution, the best non-alcoholic canned cocktails, which we identified through firsthand testing, will help the journey be as smooth as the drinks themselves.
Some of the beverages on this list are great candidates for mixing, whereas others are delish straight from the can. A handful taste like bougie (albeit tasty) cocktails that give you a snootful from just one sip, whereas others are more casual for when you want to crack a few. Some are herbaceous and bitter, whereas others are fruity and sweet. Regardless of which poison you typically pick, you’ll discover something to satisfy your cravings on this list.
Your favorite non-alcoholic seltzer gets an upgrade with Hiyo. The bubbly beverage comes in three juicy flavors (watermelon lime, blackberry lemon and peach mango), all of which can cause stress relief and a boost in mood because of the adaptogens and botanicals. This sensation is dubbed “the float” by the brand, which is why we consider it one of the best non-alcoholic cocktails.
I tried a can of the watermelon lime flavor and yummed my way through it, though I can’t say I got the full “float” effect. Within each eye-catching can are flavors that are both mouth-watering and powerful—but not so much so that you can only stomach one can. This is a great, easy sipper to toss back during days on the beach, tailgates or bachelor and bachelorette parties.
Available in cucumber, ginger, lavender, Rainier cherry and vanilla, Dry Soda is free from booze but rich in flavor. The company uses basic ingredients to make this gluten- and caffeine-free beverage that’s available on Amazon. Pop the tab and get to sipping—this drink is so satisfying as is. No need for mixers or even ice!
I tried a few flavors of Dry Soda and can confirm I enjoyed all three. For a more typical mocktail experience, opt for the crisp, elevated and subtly sweet cucumber flavor. For your soda fix, try the vanilla flavor, which is sweet and pleasant without being cloying and reminds me of a healthier cream soda. If you’re a sparkling water lover but crave a little more oomph on occasion, the Rainier cherry flavor is sure to please.
Calling all bon vivants! This bougie beverage, created by Katy Perry and co-founder Morgan McLachlan, makes you feel like you’re at a fancy cocktail lounge every time you crack a can. I preferred some flavors to others (the Très Rosé and Golden Hour varieties were my favorites), but all of them excited, tantalized—and delivered. For example, even though the Purple Lune wasn’t for me, I truly could taste the blackberry notes and vanilla oak.
These drinks are slightly more viscous than others and quite pricey for an 8-ounce can. For both these reasons, I think they’re great candidates for mixing, so keep them stocked on your bar cart. Add a splash of soda water or non-alcoholic spirits for a sophisticated happy-hour treat.
If you’ve been in the sober game for a while, you’re likely no stranger to Athletic Brewing Co., known for its non-alcoholic beers. Well, I’m a fan of the company’s line of hops-infused sparkling waters, too.
After trying Daypacks for myself, I was impressed by the balance of the hops, an admittedly potent ingredient, with the fruit flavors. Amidst that signature bitterness, the blood orange, mango and black cherry shined through—and complemented it. (The mango is my pick, btw!)
Margaritas, mules, mojitos, oh my! Recess Zero Proof does them all and more. Although Recess mocktails don’t contain CBD like the brand’s other offerings, they are still designed to uplift, balance and de-stress due to the inclusion of hemp and adaptogens.
More than that, they’re also designed to mimic the flavors of classic cocktails. To me, the grapefruit paloma was the biggest success, though they were all pretty darn tasty. Because of the lack of bubbles, I’d recommend transferring these drinks from the can to a cocktail glass, adding ice and topping with complementary garnishes, like muddled mint or a salty rim.
There are a few considerations when buying non-alcoholic canned cocktails. If you’re drinking NA beverages out of necessity, you might want to choose those that taste closest to the real deal, like, say, Recess Zero Proof or De Soi. If you’re opting to be alcohol-free of your own accord, any tasty, bubbly drink might do the trick. You’ll also want to factor in price, especially if you plan to crack open a can on a daily basis. Lastly, take stock of your personal preferences. Are you team fruity drinks or more unusual botanical beverages?
As the shopping team’s designated expert in the food and drink space, I’ve sipped my way through dozens of beverages, both alcoholic and non, in personal and professional settings alike. I conducted the test of prebiotic and probiotic sodas for Taste of Home, as well as coordinated and partook in the test of wine delivery services. I’ve also served on the Taste of Home testing panel for rosé, light beers, alcoholic seltzers, kombucha and more. I’m well acquainted with what’s on the market, and it is my mission to identify which are the best.
I found the best non-alcoholic cocktails by identifying top-selling brands among our audience as well as the broader public, acquiring samples (in as many flavors as possible!), and then trying them out for myself. While sampling this collection of drinks, I considered different consumer needs, preferences, tastes, prices, accessibility and more. I cut those that didn’t check one or more of these boxes, leaving me with a list that I’m confident will have something for aspiring and veteran non-drinkers alike.
Some of the most popular alcohol-free cocktails include non-alcoholic mulled wine, non-alcoholic gin and tonic and virgin piña colada.
You can use fruit juices and sparkling water to make punches, spritzes and mojitos. You can also make or buy flavored syrups like lavender or elderflower, top with tonic water or club soda and garnish with a rosemary sprig or mint leaf.
Taste of Home has a ton of non-alcoholic drink recipes. Some of our favorites are Blood Orange Punch and Watermelon Spritzer.
If you’re out at a bar and want to order a non-alcoholic drink, some yummy options are an Arnold Palmer (iced tea and lemonade), a Shirley Temple (sprite and grenadine syrup) and a Cinderella (club soda, grenadine, lemon juice, orange juice and pineapple juice).
Additional research contributed by Madi Koetting, former Taste of Home Product Reviews Home Editor
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