What are Non-Alcoholic Spirits? + How to Choose One

What are non-alcoholic spirits?

In the U.S, non-alcoholic beverages may contain no more than 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV). The aim of most non-alcoholic spirits is to produce a beverage as flavorsome as its alcoholic counterpart so that you can have a drink and feel a part of the festivities without the ensuing adverse effects of consuming too much alcohol.

Producers are putting a great deal of effort into developing quality products that are more palatable and appealing. During the pandemic, sales of non-alcoholic spirits grew by more than 30% in 2020 by volume.

Is low alcohol the same as alcohol-free?

Alcohol-free spirits contain no alcohol at all, or at the most, 0.05% ABV. In comparison, low-alcohol beverages may contain up to 0.5% alcohol. Dealcoholized is another term in use. This refers to the fact that the alcohol in a beer, wine, or spirit was removed.

How are non-alcoholic spirits made?

There are four main techniques used to produce non-alcoholic spirits:

1. The alcohol present in most spirits is ethanol. This is a product of the yeast fermentation of sugars. Fermented beverages can only reach an alcohol concentration of 15–20%. Yeast cannot survive and continue to ferment at levels higher than this. In traditional spirit production, these low-alcohol liquids undergo distillation to increase the alcohol concentration. However, distillation can also decrease alcohol content. Alcohol evaporates at a temperature of 172°F, whereas water only evaporates at 212°F.
2. Some brands do not use alcohol at any point in the production process. A method of steam distillation extracts essential oils from the botanicals. Steam produced in a pot still passes through the ingredients, opening up ‘small pockets’ of essential oils. These are then blended to create the signature flavor profile of a particular non-alcoholic ‘spirit.’
3. For non-alcoholic spirits that imitate gin, rum, or whiskey, producers may use a process of maceration to extract flavors from fruit, spices, and botanicals.
4. Reverse osmosis entails forcing a liquid through a semi-permeable membrane to remove unwanted molecules. This procedure is most often used to remove alcohol from beer and wine.

In an attempt to mimic the astringent (mouth-puckering) effect of alcohol, some non-alcoholic beverage manufacturers will use pungent or bitter notes from certain botanicals. To simulate the heat experienced when drinking spirits, the producers of Gin-ish use capsaicin isolated from the shells of chili seeds.

What are the benefits of drinking non-alcoholic spirits?

Whether you are a veteran teetotaler, pregnant, or just trying to be more health-conscious, the increase in quality and availability of non-alcoholic spirits is exciting. Here are a few more reasons to stock up on non-alcoholic beverages:

1. Weekday drinking: You can enjoy a few (non-alcoholic) beers with buddies after work and still be on your A-game at work tomorrow.
2. After a long, hard day, sometimes the pop of uncorking a bottle of wine and pouring yourself a glass of Pinot Gris is the only way to unwind. With low-alcohol wine, you can enjoy your vino without worrying about not feeling great for your early morning workout.
3. With the ever-increasing availability of thrilling non-alcoholic beverages on the market, being the designated driver on a night out with friends won’t seem such an ordeal anymore.
4. Stocking up an awesome sober bar will make “Dry January” or “Sober October” a whole lot more bearable. 

How to choose a non-alcoholic spirit

There seems to be an ever-increasing demand for non-alcoholic spirits. These days you can find just about any spirit in a non-alcoholic form—everything from gin to rum and vodka to bourbon.

Do you want to limit your alcohol intake entirely or cut it down significantly? Probably the most vital thing to look out for when choosing a non-alcoholic spirit is whether it is alcohol-free or low alcohol. Another aspect to consider is the sugar content. To add body to non-alcoholic spirits, some producers will add sugar syrups. Therefore, the drink that you will consume may contain significantly more calories than its alcoholic counterpart. Some superb alcohol-free spirits are virtually calorie-free too.

5 Tips on how to up your mocktail game

Whether it is for poolside sipping or a special occasion, here are a few tips to jazz up your non-alcoholic cocktails in no time:

1. Great glassware goes a long way in creating a bit of glamor. Polish those high-ball glasses and get out the Champagne flutes!
2. Experiment with different fruits and herbs. A few sprigs of thyme or rosemary will dress up a non-alcoholic gin and tonic while giving an extra flavor dimension. Pomegranate rubies, slices of apple or peach, coconut shavings, orange peel, the choices are endless!
3. Depending on the mocktail, you can decorate the rim of the glass with a few salt crystals or colorful sugar crystals.
4. Make some exciting ice cubes. Invest in a couple of funky ice trays to make interestingly shaped ice cubes. Think pumpkin shapes for your Halloween festivities or heart ice cubes for a Valentine’s cocktail party! Another option: add interest to your square ice cubes by placing herbs or edible flowers in the water before freezing.
5. Fantastic finishing touches. As a final flourish, add a swizzle stick, funky straw, or umbrella to your mocktail.

Stock up your sober bar

Shop with Instacart to order your favorite non-alcoholic spirits online. Select from the same-day delivery or pick-up options to receive your alcohol delivery within a couple of hours! Whether you need some funky straws, quirky ice cube trays, or stock for your home bar, there are so many products to choose from.

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