We Taste Test 7 Trending Non-Alcoholic Drinks – These Are Our Honest Thoughts
Whether you’re holding on until the end of Dry January, often find yourself the designated driver, or are generally sober curious, it’s good to have a few non-alcoholic drinks options up your sleeve. But anyone who’s tried to go alcohol-free will attest to the fact that not all the offerings are made equal. Here, we put them to the test, sharing our favourite options.
The lineup
Overall winner: Shirley Temple by Black Lines
Cocktail
Rating: 4/5
This is the perfect summer drink, it’s really flavoursome and floral without being too sweet.
Andrea – Food, Culture & Lifestyle Writer
If you’re a fan of cocktails but haven’t quite found an alcohol-free version that scratches the itch, Black Lines’ Shirley Temple is one to know. In fact, it was our team’s favourite drink overall, featuring grenadine, ginger ale, raspberry soda, fresh lemon, blood orange and bitters.
Runner up: Crodino
Spritz
Rating: 4/5
This tastes very similar to Aperol (which I love) and I couldn’t taste the difference when mixed.
Natasha, Digital Editor
The Aperol Spritz is practically European summer in a drink. If you’re ditching the real McCoy this year, we cannot recommend this more as an alternative. Served on its own or with soda over ice, this is a must-try for spritz fans.
Lucky Saint
Beer
Rating: 4/5
Tastes exactly like beer, I wouldn’t know it wasn’t alcoholic.
Elle – Venues Partnership Manager
Non-alcoholic beers are a famously tricky drink to get right, but we think Lucky Saint’s got impressively close with a taste similar to wheat beer.
Kylie Minogue
Sparkling wine
Rating: 3/5
There aren’t many non-alcoholic drink brands that can say they’re stocked at Soho House, but Kylie Minogue‘s is one of them, rolling out across the UK and USA earlier this month. If you like your fizz sweet and fruity, look no further than this bubbles option, available in both a rosé and blanc.
Wednesday’s Domaine
Red wine
Rating: 2/5
Our office was somewhat divided on this red wine alternative. Some wine fans found it had the depth of flavour associated with darker reds but others weren’t as keen on the aftertaste, reflected in the overall average score.
Nozeco
Sparkling wine
Rating: 2/5
Arguably one of the most recognisable non-alcoholic wine options on the market, we really weren’t impressed by this one. The flavour was overall quite sweet, with an elderflower quality to it, but left us feeling more like a soft drink than a prosecco alternative.
BERO
Beer
Rating: 4/5
The office was definitely excited to try this one – and safe to say, Tom Holland‘s BERO went down very well. All three flavours were fabulous (and we love that there’s actual foam when you pour it – which is quite rare for non-alcoholic beers). Our favourite out of the three flavours is the Kingston Golden Pils – Holland’s take on the European Pils.
I don’t generally drink beer (with or without alcohol), but this was so smooth and fruity that I really enjoyed it.
– Andrea, Food, Lifestyle & Culture Writer
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