Non-Alcoholic Beverages to Boost Your Holiday Spirit

Non-alcoholic beverages have soared in popularity in recent years, sweeping the nation at specialty shops, bars, and retailers online.

It’s now possible for folks in recovery or other individuals who choose to abstain to remain completely clear-headed while partaking in a gloriously hazy NA West Coast IPA, or a citrusy margarita that wields the burn of real-deal tequila.

And just like that, the term mocktail has turned its bad rap around.

With the holiday season nearly here – which often presents many opportunities to imbibe – there’s no time like the present to stock up on booze-free alternatives that you can enjoy from the comfort of your home, or bring to a party or family gathering.

Whether you’re fully abstaining for your physical or mental health, or simply riding the sober-curious wave, we’ve got you covered with our roundup of 15 of the top NA libations to liven up your holiday spirit.

Here’s a preview of the sips we’ll cover up ahead:

Please note that although many of the beverages described below are 100% sans alcohol, some do include up to 0.5% percent alcohol by volume (ABV), as noted.

Hoppy Holidays

Ho-ho-holy hops! These almighty nuggets are the cone-shaped flowers that give beer its signature aroma and flavor.

Though all brews described as beer technically contain hops, the term “hoppy” has become synonymous with the IPA style, characterized by its pungent perfume and bitter taste.

If you’re on the hunt for something reminiscent of your favorite sessionable sip, these will hit the spot.

1. Run Wild IPA from Athletic Brewing

Number one on our list hails from a brewery that consistently lights up the craft scene with stellar products that stand up against all contenders in the NA world.

Athletic has not only helped to lead the non-alcoholic movement – and made it a point to offer wide distribution – they’ve snagged several awards while doing so, including taking the gold in 2020 at the Best of Craft Beer Awards and the US Open Beer Championship.

 Athletic Brewing’s Run Wild IPA, 12-pack cans, available on Amazon

Upside Dawn, a clean, crushable golden ale, is another top seller and a personal favorite of mine. But it’s the Run Wild IPA that put them on the map and that I suggest you pop first.

Brewed with five varieties of Northwest hops, Run Wild is subtle and slightly malty up front, with a lemon zest bitterness and residual sweetness that will keep you reaching for more. Less than 0.5% ABV.

Grab a 12-pack from Amazon now.

2. IPA from Partake Brewing

Coming in hot at just ten calories and with an ultra-crisp, refreshing bite, no shower beer has ever been so eminently drinkable. And I say that from personal experience.

Partake Brewing’s IPA, 12-pack cans, available on Amazon

This brew from Partake, one of six options that are available currently as part of their regular roster, relies on fruity Cascade, Amarillo, and Citra hops, and the lingering grapefruit pith bitterness will have you seriously questioning whether you’ve accidentally cracked an actual session IPA. But it actually contains less than 0.5% ABV.

In my humble opinion, it blows all others out of the water. The sweet malty backbone and particularly bubbly body bring a dry finish that’s as satisfying as they come.

Get your hands on a case of 12 cans via Amazon.

3. IPNA from Lagunitas Brewing Company

When this big-name brewery put their own alcohol-free beer on the market, loyal fans flocked to it, eager for a taste. With its distinctively full body and massively hoppy makeup, Lagunitas dry-hopped IPNA is a perfect punch in the mouth, with less than 0.5% ABV.

Lagunitas Brewing Company IPNA, 6-pack bottles available on Amazon

Between the smooth, balanced backbone and signature stocky Lagunitas bottle, you won’t feel like you’re missing out on a thing with this hoppy brew.

Find it now on Amazon.

Are You Afraid of the Dark?

Maybe you’re open to dabbling in the darker varieties of beer?

With their smooth structure and velvety mouthfeel, there are a number of notable options floating around the NA galaxy, and these are the best of the best.

Join me on the dark side, won’t you?

4. Oatmeal Dark from Bravus

Calling all Guinness-lovers! This is the brew for you.

Bravus is another top dog on the NA craft beer scene, and while their super light Blonde has more fun in the summertime, it’s the Oatmeal Dark you’ll want to cozy up to through the cooler months of the year.

Bravus Oatmeal Dark, 12-pack cans, available on Amazon

This invigorating stout features hints of roasted coffee and chocolate, and it was a silver medal winner at the prestigious Great American Beer Festival in 2019. Less than 0.5% ABV.

Pick up a 12-pack now on Amazon,or buy directly on the company website to purchase a 6-pack, 12-pack, or 24-pack.

5. Hellraiser Dark Amber from WellBeing Brewing

The name says it all. This Missouri-based brewery puts its focus on “Raising WellBeing,” and creating a mindful style of living that combines all the social fun of enjoying a traditional beer with the intentionality of a happy, healthy lifestyle.

WellBeing Brewing’s Hellraiser Dark Amber, 12-pack cans, available on Amazon

Lucky for us, their beers actually live up to that thoughtfully crafted purpose. I can’t not mention the Intentional IPA, as it’s a top pick of mine, but when it comes to something on the richer end of the spectrum, I would undoubtedly imbibe the Hellraiser fireside, snuggled up in a warm hoodie.

This ambrosial, well-rounded dark amber comes out of the can copper-brown and showcases toasty malted barley up front, leaving traces of light spice and stone fruit on the tongue. It contains 0.3% ABV.

Find it now on Amazon.

Familiar Flavors

It’s no secret that certain scents and flavors evoke memories, and the AF indulgences described below will give you all the déjà vu vibes. Particularly if you’ve fully stepped foot into the land of sobriety, these drinks will (safely) bring some very specific sips back into your life.

These brews prove that distancing yourself from booze doesn’t have to mean denying yourself the chance to swig something you enjoy.

6. Edge Non-Alcohol Brew from Coors

Sometimes what you want is the taste of a classic American lager, and Coors Edge has got it. At least one Coors Light fan has claimed that this is better than the real deal, with a crisp, refreshing, malty flavor and a touch of bitterness.

Coors Edge, 6-pack of bottles available on Amazon

If watching the Winter Classic or rooting for the home NBA or NFL team is on the docket this holiday season, bring a cooler of these and pass them out before you call dibs on the best recliner in front of the big screen.

With the motto “brewed for beer lovers,” it’s less than 0.5% ABV.

Find 6-packs now on Amazon.

7. 0.0 Pure Malt Lager from Heineken

Served ice cold side by side in a blind taste test, if one were to pop the top off a classic Heineken and its new relative 0.0, I’d dare the real Slim Shady to please stand up.

Heineken’s 0.0 Pure Malt Lager, 6-pack, available on Amazon

As another NA selection goes that’s produced by one of the Big Beer Corporations, versus a small independent brewery such as many of the others on this list, it truly checks off all of the boxes for me in terms of what I’m after.

Pleasantly dry, fruity, and more welcome on your palate with every sip, the pale lager is also widely distributed and easy to find. If you’re a social non-drinker who misses the taste of this particular beer and still isn’t sure what to do with your hands at the bar, wrap them around this Heiny. Bottoms up!

Order a 6-pack of bottles now on Amazon.

8. Hops-Infused Mango Sparkling Water from HOP WTR

If the yellow-labeled White Claw had an affair with a sparkling water that happened to be half IPA, Mango HOP WTR would be their lovechild.

HOP WTR’s Hop-Infused Mango Sparkling Water, 12-pack, available on Amazon

If you, like me, thought you’d only marvel (or perhaps gawk) at hop-infused AF beverages that walked, talked, and acted like beer, you’d be missing out on this zero-calorie, zero-sugar sipper.

The juicy, tropical mango is immaculately big-bubbled, and the addition of resinous, citrusy Centennial and Columbus hops will remind your taste buds of bold, bitter IPAs.

The biggest benefit of all? HOP WTR’s added adaptogens and nootropics like L-Theanine and ashwagandha induce a mild form of the loosey-gooseys to help you relax and unwind – reminiscent of alcohol’s all-too-familiar sensations in a low dose, sans the hangover and half-eaten pizza on your pillow the next morning.

Find a 12-pack of cans now on Amazon.

Bubbly and Bright

Nothing screams “season’s greetings!” like popping bottles (or cracking cans) of something fiercely fizzy, and the following libations are seamless substitutes for the real thing during celebratory toasts.

From sparkling wines to fruity concoctions so potent and complex they fare well simply served as is in a glass or on the rocks, these are the lip-tingling potions that will make you want to break out the shiny stemware and your favorite charcuterie board.

9. Strawberry Basil Smash from NOPE

Just because you refrain from alcohol doesn’t mean you can’t join in the juicy fun, and the canned NA cocktails from NOPE will give you all the festive feels at an afternoon soiree or alongside a fat stack of waffles for brunch.

NOPE’s Strawberry Basil Smash, 12-pack cans, available on Amazon

If a complex cocktail is what you’re after, these bevvies from NOPE are the answer. Basil smash fans will appreciate this lightly carbonated and not too sweet, sophisticated blend of strawberry juice and fresh herbs with a splash of lime.

Chilled and served with a few rocks in a lowball glass, this premium canned alt-tail is vegan and gluten-free, with no artificial flavors or sweeteners. And if you’re looking to explore a bit, the other flavors on offer from NOPE are fantastic as well.

Snag a 12-pack on Amazon.

10. Capri Spritz Ready-to-Drink Mocktail from Mocktail Club

Groucho Marx once said something to the effect of, “I don’t care to belong to any club that will have me as a member,” but I think he would have changed his mind had he tasted the skillfully balanced booze-free cocktails from Mocktail Club.

Mocktail Club’s Capri Spritz Ready-to-Drink Mocktail, 4-pack cans, available on Amazon

Fruity with hints of bitterness like a classic Italian spritz, this cocktail in a can shouts “party!”

Served in a wine glass over ice with a few twists of citrus, the complex flavors are on par with any cocktail you’d be served by a trained mixologist, NA-style.

Pomegranate juice, caffeine-free lemongrass tea, and an apple cider vinegar cranberry shrub combine to form a craveable flavor that’s tart, juicy, and just a touch bitter. The sweetness from organic agave rounds everything out.

Get yours in packages of 4 cans on Amazon.

11. Raspberry Hibiscus Carbonated Kava from Leilo

A seltzer-esque sipper that dares to promise “calm in a can” without any of the aftereffects of alcohol? I literally can’t raise my hand fast enough if someone’s pouring this at a party.

Leilo’s Raspberry Hibiscus Carbonated Kava, 12-pack cans, available on Amazon

Relying on the power of relaxing agents L-Theanine (a supplement I religiously rely on for sleep) and kava root, both known for their anxiety-relieving benefits, Leilo is on a mission to “de-stress a stressed-out world.”

The raspberry hibiscus is a vibrant, carbonated blend of tart berries and floral notes. The pretty pink hue makes it a rock star choice for pouring into a clear coupe, though the can design is just as elegant as the liquid itself.

P.S. The tongue-numbing is a normal side effect of kava. Sit Sip back and enjoy.

Snatch up a 12-pack on Amazon.

12. Sparkling Rosé from Vinada

Put a cork in it? I think not! Let the good times roll with vegan, sparkling, dealcoholized wine from Vinada. Though their offerings also include gold Airén and sparkling Chardonnay as well, in my opinion, it’s the Tempranillo rosé that’s truly where it’s at.

Vinada Sparkling Rosé, available in 12-packs of 750-ml bottles on Amazon

This Spanish varietal is fruity yet dry, with notes of red fruit and fine bubbles. It contains trace amounts of alcohol, which the company explains is similar to the strength by volume found in ripe fruit.

Pass the cheese plate, please.

Add a case to your cart now on Amazon.

Sultry Spirits

If sipping a sexy mixed drink is your go-to move when it comes to social mingling, the pure potency of the following AF spirits will blow your mind.

No longer do you need to lean on legitimate rum for woody vanilla, toffee, and toasted spice, or whiskey to warm you up with its white oak and butterscotch perfume. These alternative liquor-free blends will give you all the bite you’re after with zero regrets the next day.

13. Zero-Alcohol Whiskey from Monday

First and foremost, can we talk about how flashy this bottle will look on your alcohol-free home bar?

Monday’s Zero-Alcohol Whiskey, available on Amazon

Monday’s whiskey is handcrafted in small batches, and it’s sugar-free, vegan, and gluten-free. It matures in white oak barrels to develop a nuanced, complex aroma and flavor with hints of butterscotch, raisin, and toasted brown sugar on the nose, and roasted coffee, caramel, and molasses on the palate. This zero-calorie stunner finishes with a familiar kick, and a hint of orange.

Whether you prefer a whiskey ginger or a whiskey cola, or even if you’re more of a rocks type with a splash of seltzer, you can have it all without the alcohol. No hangover on the Monday after the holidays this time!

Find it in 750-milliliter bottles on Amazon.

14. Zero-Proof Rum Alternative from Ritual

Sugar, spice, and everything nice is the name of the game with this dark rum alternative from Ritual.

Ritual’s Zero-Proof Rum Alternative, available on Amazon

Notes of warm spices like cloves and star anise, rich vanilla, ripe banana, and burnt orange combine to create that deep, classic flavor that’s perfect in a tiki drink. Exchange it in equal parts for the libations called for in cocktail classics a piña colada, sit back, and enjoy.

Oh, and be sure to whip up a big batch to share with your friends!

Grab a 750-milliliter bottle on Amazon.

15. Spice 94 from Seedlip

With a claim to fame as the first brand in the world to offer a distilled non-alcoholic spirit, Seedlip is truly the OG in this category. Founder Ben Branson’s intention is to “foster good hospitality and inclusivity by providing a sophisticated option for what to drink when you’re not drinking,” and I couldn’t be more down with that sentiment.

Seedlip’s Spice 94, 700-milliliter bottle, available on Amazon

One of three unique flavors available currently, Spice 94 features fresh grapefruit and lemon top notes to balance a long, bitter finish. And notes of warm, aromatic allspice and green cardamom make it an obvious choice for the holidays. Try it as an NA alternative in our recipe for homemade eggnog.

Grab a 700-milliliter bottle now on Amazon.