Why Choose Non-Alcoholic Cocktails?

Non-alcoholic cocktails have come a long way since the days of soda water with a twist. The quality and variety of non-alcoholic spirits and cocktails have risen in response to demand. That means more and more makers have begun to produce low- or non-alcoholic spirits that stand up to the best of the classic spirit varieties. Some even go beyond traditional spirit flavors to create something entirely unique. Others give you a pre-mixed mocktail in a can. But why choose a non-alcoholic cocktail? Well, why not? At lo2no.com, we can give you dozens of reasons.

Non-alcoholic spirits are appropriate for any time of day, in any situation, and for anyone. It’s an easy way to explore new tastes and cocktail possibilities without the bleary, bloated feeling the next morning. Whether you’re sober-curious, living a completely alcohol-free lifestyle, or just want to try something new, you’ve got to check out what’s happening in the world of non-alcoholic spirits. 

What is a non-alcoholic spirit?

A non-alcoholic spirit is simply a spirit that’s made to contain no alcohol. Some, like Ritual Whiskey Alternative, are intended to stand in for their alcohol-containing counterparts. Others such as Seedlip Citrus are unique, creative concoctions that open up an entirely new world of mixology. Although the production sometimes involves alcohol, don’t worry — it disappears without a trace during the distilling process. There are two main methods used by makers of non-alcoholic spirits, and each is equally involved in its own way:

• Infusion.

This method involves leaving botanicals to soak in purified water until it takes on the unique combination of each botanical’s flavors. This is a time-consuming method as the process involves soaking and softening all of the ingredients (such as spices, fruit peels, woods, etc.), distilling and filtering the resulting liquid for purity, blending, and bottling. 

• Distillation.

The producer begins with a small amount of neutral-flavored spirit that helps to extract the optimum amount of flavors from the botanicals. This will form the base of the non-alcoholic spirit. Next, the botanical ingredients are added to a copper still. Then, the distillation process begins. The liquid is gently heated, making vapors rise, condense and cool over multiple rounds of distillation. This separates the alcohol from the end result and helps to draw out the flavors of the botanical. 

Both methods produce a spirit that’s completely alcohol-free. Depending on the brand, it may also be gluten-free or sugar-free, opening up additional cocktail possibilities for those with allergies or on special diets. 

Why drink non-alcoholic cocktails?

There are as many different reasons to drink a non-alcoholic cocktail as there are people who drink them. Some folks choose to go “no” when they want to evaluate the effects of their alcohol consumption. Others choose to skip alcohol because of health concerns or the parameters of a specific diet. You might be completely sober, but miss the ritual associated with mixing a pre-dinner cocktail. Some might just want a night off from drinking. Or you might just want to try something different! 

At lo2no.com, we think that you deserve to celebrate with everyone, no matter what your current relationship with alcohol may be. Whether it’s for religious beliefs, health concerns, or another reason (we know how it goes when someone gets too tipsy at happy hour in front of their coworkers…), non-alcoholic spirits are a great alternative to a sad juice spritzer. Non-alcoholic cocktails give you a great reason to say “Why not?” when socializing, celebrating, or just enjoying a quiet night at home. Let our reviews of the best non-alcoholic spirits help you get your party started.