A Beginner's Guide to Picking Non-Alcoholic & Low ABV Spirits
What Are Non-Alcoholic & Alcohol-Free Spirits?
You might be surprised to learn that some non-alcoholic spirits are still made using an alcohol base. ‘Non-alcoholic' spirits can refer to distilled botanicals (ingredients from natural sources such as plants, roots, flowers, seeds, nuts, spices, fruits and vegetables) that have been filtered to remove and reduce the alcohol, whilst ‘alcohol-free’ spirits are created using processes such as maceration to produce spirits with a very small percentage or without any alcohol at all.
In the UK, any drink at 0.05% ABV (alcohol by volume) up to 0.5% should be called 'non-alcoholic' and 'low alcohol' respectively, if it's de-alcoholised and says that on the label. The only exception is if the drink comes from another country where anything 0.5% and below is alcohol-free.
So, needless to say, non-alcoholic and alcohol-free spirits should not necessarily be compared to soft drinks. Non-alcoholic spirits in particular have far more in common with the full-strength stuff, as the same methods can be used to extract essential oils and ensure premium taste. The difference is that in the non-alcoholic and low alcohol category, the distillation process will reduce the alcohol to 0.5% ABV or less.
Low & Reduced ABV Spirits
Low ABV and reduced ABV spirits are created the same way that standard alcoholic spirits are made, with manufacturers simply stopping the distillation once the spirit has reached a lower alcohol by volume than their higher strength alcoholic counterparts.
In the UK, low ABV spirits can be classed as such if they are stronger than 0.5% ABV and up to 1.2% ABV. Meanwhile, reduced-alcohol drinks have an alcohol content lower than the average strength of the type of drink in question e.g. a gin with 18% ABV versus 40% ABV.
How Are They Produced?
There are several methods of creating non-alcoholic and low ABV spirits and their flavours:
- Distillation
The first production method is similar to that used for full strength alcohol, with producers blending fresh ingredients with neutral grain spirit and water before boiling or steaming the mixture and using distillation to separate essential oils, to match the flavour profiles of alcohol as much as possible. - Maceration
Think of maceration like brewing tea: the ingredients are left to soak in a cold liquid until enough flavour has been extracted into the liquid, and can be made with (which would then be removed via distillation) or without alcohol. - Percolation
Liquid is used to extract the aromas from ingredients by slowly dripping through them. - Infusion
The liquid (which can be alcohol or water) is infused with the aroma of botanicals. - Cold pressing
Extracting oils using a pressing process that means no external heat is needed and the ingredients retain all of their natural flavours and aromas.
How to Choose
There's a lot of creativity within the offering, with the above methods resulting in all kinds of unique and new flavours.
The best thing to do is to focus on the flavour profiles that appeal the most to you from their ingredients (if they're not obviously created to replicate a full strength spirit).
What to Look Out For
There are many alcohol-free, non-alcoholic and low or reduced ABV spirits mimicking alcoholic counterparts. By law, non-alcoholic spirits are not allowed to be labelled using alcoholic spirit category names, but here are the ingredients to keep an eye out, depending on the alcoholic spirit you are looking to substitute:
Gin
Juniper, lime, cinnamon, coriander seeds to mimic the floral, citrus and spiced flavours of gin.
We Recommend: Adnams Smidgin Dry Gin
Vodka
Cucumber, pepper and coriander to mimic spicier styles of vodka.
Rum
Vanilla, almonds, raisins, sugar cane, molasses and baked apples that will mimic the fruity and spiced taste of rum.
Tequila
Agave, lime and pepper to replicate the earthy taste of the agave spirit.
Whisky
Nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, pepper, peat essence - inspired by the warming and spiced elements of whisky.
We Recommend: Crossip Dandy Smoke
Amaro
For Negroni and spritz lovers, bitter flavours like gentian root and bitter orange are suitable for an alcohol-free spritz or a zero Negroni.
We Recommend: Everleaf Forest
Vermouth, the Wildcard
Often mistaken for a spirit, vermouth is in fact a fortified wine, created using at least 75% wine, fortified and flavoured with an alcoholic infusion of herbs and spices including artemisia (bitter plant or route), which gives its bitter taste.
Vermouth is a versatile must-have for any cocktail lover and has become increasingly popular, not just for mixing into some of the most classic of cocktails, but served as a delicious reduced alcohol option, compared to full strength spirit serves, either straight up on ice or with soda or tonic water - just remember to store it in the fridge!
How Do You Drink It?
Non-alcoholic and low ABV spirits are often made to be served on the rocks, mixed with tonic water, or used in mocktails or lower-ABV cocktails as a substitute for full strength spirits. Non-alcoholic spirits can also enhance many full-strength cocktails as the flavours in these alcohol-free spirits are often strong and concentrated.
Written by Inka Larissa
Inka Larissa is a spirits writer who has been making spirits more accessible through her blog On the Sauce Again for the past six years and recently started a whisky podcast. She believes we should embrace spirits the way some people understand wine; to learn the best ways to drink them and fully appreciate the aromas, colours and flavours of each unique category — including non-alcoholic and low ABV spirits.
