The Basics of Non-Alcoholic Spirits | The Sober Curator

When my cardiologist first suggested that alcohol was a trigger for my heart issues, I couldn’t help but think that those were nasty words. Quit alcohol? Forever? It was obviously my choice to navigate this based on input from an expert. However, I had decided that my ability to hike with my husband and continue running around with my granddaughters were the biggest priorities in my life, so I quit. And to quit meant to quit forever. That is where my journey began – mentally working through the idea of forever. Forever. This monumental amount of time.

Having enjoyed the last 10 years of experimenting with craft cocktails, I decided to dive right into my new options sans alcohol. But first, I had to sort out the terminology: low-alcohol, non-alcoholic, alcohol-free, spirit-free, alcohol removed. What did it all mean, and what did it mean for me?

Having a global audience at The Sober Curator, it’s important to point out that there is no universal definition nor universal guidelines for beverages that are low or no alcohol. So, I’ve compiled a quick overview of how the United States and the United Kingdom treat these terms. This is not intended to confuse you (or to exclude other important parts of the world) but to make the point that you should be careful to find the beverage that suits your needs related to alcohol.

Terminology Overview

Let’s start with a baseline term. ABV or alcohol by volume. This is simply the percentage of total liquid in the bottle that is made up of alcohol. Wine, beer, and ciders typically denote the “ABV,” whereas spirits are usually labeled with “proof.” The proof is equal to twice the percentage of ABV. For example, an 80-proof spirit contains 40% alcohol by volume. Alcohol by volume is an important term for categorizing low and no beverages and to help you decipher whether a beverage is acceptable for your consumption.

United States (regulated by the FDA)

• “Non-alcoholic” spirits contain less than 0.5% ABV

• “Dealcoholized” or “Alcohol-removed” wines contain less than 0.5% ABV

• “Alcohol-free” spirits contain less than 0.05% ABV

• “Low alcohol” or “Reduced alcohol” malt beverage contains less than 2.5% ABV

United Kingdom guidelines

The term “non-alcoholic” is reserved for drinks that don’t normally have alcohol. And low ABV replicas of gin and whiskey, for example, can’t call themselves “non-alcoholic gin” or “non-alcoholic whiskey.”

• “Low alcohol” spirits contain up to 1.2% ABV.

• “De-alcoholized” spirits contain no more than 0.5% ABV (and not all spirits that fit into this category are made with a de-alcoholized method)

• “Alcohol-free” drinks contain less than 0.05% ABV.

This comparison shows the importance of paying attention to the ABV versus the terminology on a label.

Main Methods for Creating Non-Alcoholic Spirits

Non-alcoholic spirits can be made in a variety of ways. However, it’s simplest to place the methods into two categories:

• De-alcoholized. This method starts with the typical distillation method of a full-proof spirit (or fermentation of alcoholic wine) and then burns off the excess alcohol to get to the desired level of ABV. This method is used by Seedlip and Spiritless, for example.

• There is no alcohol in the process. This method is best described as blending various flavors to achieve the desired taste. It may involve distillation, but not in a manner that produces alcohol. For example, Wilderton creates its products from a brewed herbal tea base.

What to Expect from Non-Alcoholic Spirits

When I first began my journey of sampling NA spirits and cocktails, I quickly noticed two things were different from my full-proof experiences: the mouthfeel and the burn. Many of the NA spirits and cocktails that I tried did not have the same full mouthfeel as their alcoholic counterparts. I began adding glycerine to my cocktails to recreate this mouthfeel. Or, I’d be sure to use an egg white or drops of Fee Brothers Fee Foam in my shaken cocktails, which gave more body to my cocktails. I was also surprised to discover that I missed the burn of alcohol. It sounds like something you wouldn’t miss, but it’s real. Some products try to recreate this burn (or warm feeling) using ingredients such as peppers, ginger, or capsaicin. If you expect the NA gins or whiskeys to taste like their full-proof counterparts, you’ll be very disappointed. They won’t. And they aren’t necessarily created to sip. I recommend that they remain as base spirits in cocktails. If you want a beverage to sip, try products like Dr Zero Zero Amarno, Tennyson Black Ginger, or Dromme Calm. These will typically be labeled with a recommendation to sip (or drink on ice with an orange peel garnish). And, if you had been a full-proof drinker and had found your favorite whiskey for Old Fashioneds, it may take a bit of experimenting to find the right combination of NA options to create an Old Fashioned-like drinking experience.

Why are Non-Alcoholic Spirits so Expensive?

Did you think you were paying more for the alcohol? This is a common misconception. The two basic methods of creating NA spirits are listed above. One method would be to make the beverage fully-proof. Now, put a price on that. But wait, there’s more to the process to de-alcoholize it. Now increase the price. See what I mean? Producers of non-alcoholic beverages are spending just as much time or more creating their products. They may also invest in specialty equipment and navigate the legalities of labeling and marketing their products. Let’s respect the research and development they’re doing to create alcohol-free craft beverage options! Now, do your homework and find your new favorites!

Happy Every Hour Curated Resources:

NO & LOW: Your 2024 Guide to Non-Alcoholic Spirits

HAPPY EVERY HOUR: We know we mix a mean alcohol-free cocktail. HAPPY EVERY HOUR will update you on the latest and most significant trends in NA craft beers, mocktails, and zero-proof beverages.

TRIGGER WARNING: People in early sobriety may want to proceed with caution. Always read labels. Please hydrate responsibly … because drunk never looks good.

NA Bevies brings you alcohol-free cocktail recipes, NA beverage reviews, and NA wine & spirit alternatives.

Do you love Non-Alcoholic Craft Beers and the 90s? Then you’re in for a treat! Sober Curator Contributor Justin Lamb is dedicated to tasting great (sometimes not so great) NA beers and showcasing his fantastic collection of memorabilia from the ’90s. Justin has spent countless hours reviewing over a hundred NA Beers so that you don’t have to. Below are the categories of NA Beers Justin has reviewed thus far:

Amber, Blonde, Brown Ale, Cream Ale, IPA, Kolsch, Lager, Pale Ale, Pilsner, Porter, Sour, Stout, Wheat, and White Ale

#ADDTOCART: Make sure to check out Kim Parsley’s collection of Vintage Travel Bars

Resources Are Available

If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.

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