15 non-alcoholic spirits to try

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Feragaia, £24.95, olive shop

Made in the Scottish Lowlands using 14 different ingredients, including locally sourced serrated wrack seaweed, bay leaf and chamomile, Feragaia is clean, subtle and elegant, with warming spice and herbal notes. It’s lovely lengthened with tonic water, but we prefer it best drunk neat over ice, which lets the spirit’s smoky, peppery notes shine through.

Pentire Adrift, £26.80, olive shop

Many zero-alcohol offerings can be sickly sweet, which is why this new Cornish spirit is a breath of fresh air. Made by plants native to the coastline of North Cornwall and featured botanicals such as rock samphire and sage, it’s a grown-up, savoury affair with fragrant herbaceousness and salty notes that balance perfectly with tonic water. Garnish with sage, rosemary or bay leaves.

High Point Ruby Aperitif, £19.99, Amazon

This fermented Cornish aperitif features tea leaves and local botanicals for a drink with assertive bitterness and botanical bite. Think of it like a non-alc Campari – it would make a rather grown up spritz.

Three Spirit Nightcap, £24.99, threespiritdrinks.com

Designed by plant scientists and bartenders, this range of non-alcoholic aperitifs and digestifs contain active ingredients designed to enhance the drinking experience. Try the sultry, woody, calming Nightcap for a post-dinner snifter.

Tuscan Tree Blood Orange Non-Alcoholic Aperitivo, £12.06, Master of Malt

We were really impressed with this alcohol-free aperitif, made with Italian blood oranges, lemon, juniper and lavender. Similar in taste to Campari or Aperol, we loved its vibrant bittersweet citrus character and bold botanical bite. Enjoy in a spritz.

ZEO Non-Alcoholic Spirit Botanical Dry, £25.99, Hipflask

Ex-Artesian bartender Simone Caporale has created a sophisticated zero-alcohol spirit that works well as an alternative to gin or vodka. Citrussy, with a warming, spicy kick and rounded texture – drink it neat and chilled with a twist of lemon, as you would a martini.

Everleaf, £19, Amazon

Created by bartender and biologist Paul Mathew using ethically sourced botanicals, we love the bright, silky character of this aperitif brand's expressions. Our favourites are Forest with its citrus and tropical fruit notes, and bitter complexity, as well as the aromatic floral character of Mountain. Drink with sparkling water, or top up with sparkling wine for a low-ABV drink.

New London Light, £23.39, Master of Malt

This gin-inspired spirit from Salcombe Distilling Co uses botanicals such as juniper, orange and cardamom for a perky, citrussy end result. Drink with tonic water for an elegant non-alcoholic alternative to a G&T.

Wilfred's, £19, wilfredsdrinks.com

Made using bittersweet orange and rosemary, we love the woody herbaceous notes in this British aperitif that will transport you straight to the Med.

Caleño, £18, Amazon

Inspired by the flavours of founder Ellie Webb’s Colombian homeland, Caleño features botanicals of coriander, juniper, lemon, cardamom and, most interestingly, inca berry – which gives it fragrant and sweet tropical notes. Rum lovers should check out their latest release, Dark & Spicy, which has pineapple and coconut aromas, and warming spice – it would be delicious in a booze-free dark 'n' stormy with ginger beer and lime.

Seedlip Grove 42, £26.50, Waitrose

This offering from the zero-alcohol pioneer is an aromatic blend of Mediterranean orange, lemon peel, ginger, lemongrass and sansho peppercorns. One for those who love citrussy flavours, with a subtle hint of pepper at the finish. Drink with tonic water and a twist of orange peel.

Hayman’s Small Gin, £25, Ocado

This gin distillery has taken an imaginative approach to creating a low-alcohol product. Its Small Gin clocks in at 43% ABV but has a super-concentrated botanical character, so you only need a tiny 5ml thimbleful (they supply a pretty silvery one with each bottle) to create a G&T with just 0.2 units of alcohol but all the flavour of a full-strength version. The verdict? It does indeed taste like the real thing, with distinctive juniper notes.

Atopia Spiced Citrus, £24.95, The Whisky Exchange

Made with orange, juniper, coriander, angelica root and lemon, plus orange blossom and wormwood, Atopia has elegant bitter citrus notes and subtle, warming spice. Drink with tonic water and a wedge of orange.

Æcorn Aperitifs, £19.99, Waitrose

Sister brand to Seedlip, these booze-free aperitifs are made with English-grown meunier, chardonnay and pinot noir grapes. Flavours range from richly smoky to citrussy and bitter, and can be drunk spritz-style with sparkling or tonic water.

Crossip, from £21.95, Amazon

We were impressed with the booze-like bite and punchy flavours of this new range of spirits by Sunday Brunch drinks expert Carl Brown. Standouts include Dandy Smoke – a must for whisky fans with its peaty, nutty, rounded character – and Pure Hibiscus, which has a grown-up bittersweet quality similar to an Italian aperitivo.