Thinking of going alcohol-free? Socialise with these stress-free swaps
There are few things as refreshing as a spritz in balmy temperatures – but increasing numbers are finding that it doesn’t always quite hit the spot these days. Indeed, the market for non-alcoholic beverages, which was worth $1.8 trillion in 2024 and is projected to be valued at $3.8 trillion by 2034, is being fuelled by a ‘mindful drinking’ or ‘sober curious’ movement in which health-conscious consumers are seeking more balance in how they wind down.
However, forget your usual sparkling water or iced matcha, you no longer need to compromise when it comes to your tonic for blowing off steam. That’s because there are a growing number of ‘mocktail’ and zero-alcohol beer brands aiming to provide you with the same feel-good experience – from flavour to appearance – that leaves you with a similar buzz. Just one in which you can wake up bright-eyed the next day.
It’s not just ‘mocktails’ – which often serve up alcohol-free spirits as well as other delicious ingredients – but also zero-alcohol beer that are shaking things up. Such is the interest in the latter that Guinness and Heineken are filtering millions of dollars into their booze-free products, according to Food & Wine, who report that this space is capturing the drinks orders of both younger and older generations alike. In fact, it is estimated that zero-alcohol beers are set to see the most growth in this category through to 2027.
The trouble is, not all ‘mocktails’ or alcohol-free beers are created equal – and we’re not just talking about the quality and taste, which has improved immeasurably with greater investment in recent years. Because, while alcohol-free drinks may be marketed as being healthier for not containing alcohol – which can be as much as seven calories per gram, with one standard glass of wine estimated to be 158 calories and a pint of lager 222 – don’t be fooled.
Indeed, many such drinks serve up more sugar than you’d probably like to be sipping on. As a reminder, the recommended daily limit of these ‘added sugars’ is around six teaspoons, but The Conversation reports that if you get through a bottle of alcohol-free chardonnay in one sitting, you’ve inadvertently consumed eight teaspoons. As the i newspaper also points out, some 0% beers have more sugar than their real equivalents in an effort to make them more enticing to keep adding to your ‘rounds’.
However, this is a concern since many non-alcoholic beverages contain high amounts of high-fructose corn syrup – which is, for instance, prevalent in the soda commonly enlisted as a ‘mixer’ – that has been linked by research to the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver. What’s more, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US, sugar-sweetened beverages have been associated with sour side effects like weight gain, heart disease and tooth decay.
So, if you’re focusing on boosting your nutrition, then beware the ‘liquid calories’ that could be dampening your health goals. It’s worth keeping an eye out for the low-sugar, and consequently low-calorie, options – and the good news is that these health-conscious drinks are increasingly prevalent in the non-alcoholic beverage space. They let you chill out, either solo or in good company, without worrying about the minutiae of the ingredients. After all, that’s what these drinks are intended to be for.
To help you navigate this space in a stress-free manner, allow us to introduce you to some smarter choices that deliver on taste without compromising on health. They include the Athletic Brewing Company, a leader in the non-alcoholic beer market which has been named the top large-size brewery of the year at the 2025 Best of Craft Beer Awards. Their Athletic Lite drink contains just 25 calories per can.
There’s also Ghia, who are tapping into Mediterranean aperitivo culture with non-alcoholic aperitifs made with botanical ingredients that serve up no added sugars and only 50 calories per can. Similarly, for a booze-free boost with a low-sugar content, try Kin Euphorics, whose adaptogen-infused beverages are designed to support mood. Meanwhile, Health-Ade kombucha-based cocktails are another low-sugar option that’s ready to sip on.
Want to make your own ‘mocktails’ at home? Lyre’s is making a name for itself with its range of non-alcoholic spirits that are low in calories, and can be enlisted to whip up everything from a ‘G&T’ to a ‘margarita’. As for mixers? There’s Zevia, who have focused on creating zero-calorie, sugar-free sodas sweetened with stevia – a natural sugar substitute to look out for on labels – and also Trader Joe’s Sparkling Watermelon Juice that’s made with no added sugar. Now, just sit back and relax.
