Gin is an omnipresent spirit in the world of mixology and stars in many cocktail recipes, from Martini to Negroni to Gin and Tonic. But what to do if you fancy one of these cocktails without the booze?
Alcohol-free Gin alternatives are one answer. These non-alcoholic alternatives to gin are available everywhere now and picking the right ones can be tricky. NA Gin comes in all shapes and colors. You get anything, from somewhat classic imitations of London Dry Gins with strong juniper notes to pink-colored, flavored bottles.
Our Top Non-Alcoholic Gin Recommendations
From classic flavor profiles to contemporary options, we asked bartending experts for their opinion and tested quite a few ourselves. These are the best alcohol-free Gin options you can buy in 2023.
- Best overall: Siegfried Wonderleaf
- Best for Gin & Tonic: Lyre's Dry London Spirit
- Best for Martini: Salcombe Gin
- Best for Negroni: Seedlip Grove 42
- Best value for money: Ceder's Crisp
About Non-Alcoholic Gin
Gin, by definition, is an alcoholic beverage. It is made from a grain base and flavored with juniper berries, other herbs, spices, and fruits. The ABV, or alcohol by volume, must be at least 40% in the US and 37.5% in the European Union.
The non-alcoholic version of gin tries to replicate the look, smell, and taste of the original and aims to get as close as possible. While it does not contain alcohol, it displays the same flavor profiles as gin.
Yet, remember that the non-alcoholic version only imitates the flavor and cannot legally be named gin. But let's get to our recommended na Gins. Here are the best alcohol-free alternatives to try in 2023.
1. Siegfried Wonderleaf - The best overall
- Pros: Rich Gin-like flavor and great for mixed drinks and Mocktails
- Cons: Hard to get and a bit pricey
- Taste: Herbal, fresh, and distinct notes of juniper
- Price: $30
- Size: 500ml
- Origin: Germany
Like all non-alcoholic alternatives, Siegfried Wonderleaf is not intended for neat consumption - at least not for me. I was way more convinced, though, once I tried it in an alcohol-free Gin & Tonic and a Virgin Negroni.
In combination with other ingredients, Wonderleaf scores with its herbal, fresh taste. I could identify the juniper and, overall, it is currently my favorite choice for mocktails.
In total, Wonderleaf is flavored with about 18 different botanicals, most of them a secret, but juniper, coriander, and cinnamon are sure part of the mix. On top of being non-alcoholic, it's vegan, sugar-free, and only made from natural ingredients.
2. Lyre's Dry London Spirit
- Pros: Nice citrus kick and overall pleasant flavor profile
- Cons: Lacking juniper notes
- Taste: Floral, citrusy, and hints of juniper
- Price: $30
- Size: 700ml
- Origin: Australia
This non-alcoholic alternative from Lyre's often appears among the best alcohol-free options. When I tasted it in a G&T, I immediately understood why. Compared to most other zero-alcohol alternatives, Lyre's Dry London Spirit brings a very gin-like flavor to a drink.
The lack of juniper in the flavor profile is the main reason it's not on the top spot in my list. Other than that, it's an excellent alternative, especially in combination with great tonic water.
The product is also vegan but contains sugar - glucose syrup is used as a sweetener. On top, Lyre's uses an interesting ingredient to add a slightly bitter note to it - cinchona bark. This bark is typically used in tonic water to add the distinct bitter quinine flavor to the mixer. That might be why it pairs so well with tonic water.
3. Salcombe Distilling New London Light
- Pros: Not as sweet as other products and an intriguing flavor profile of lime and ginger
- Cons: Flavor is a bit "light" and almost too watery
- Taste: Limey citrus, ginger, and juniper
- Price: $35
- Size: 750ml
- Origin: United Kingdom
Many are skeptical about non-alcoholic spirit alternatives - and so was I. Even the best ones seem to have as many haters as lovers. Salcombe's New London Light, for example, is a creative take on a N/A Gin that received raving reviews from top media outlets like The Times. When reading reviews online, though, a different picture shows.
When I tasted it, I immediately got the flavors of a more or less classic Gin. Juniper can be found as well as citric lime flavors and a slight kick of ginger. Still, overall, I find the taste a bit too thin. When paired with flavorful ingredients, it's not strong enough to stand out. I like it in a low-ABV Martini with just a bit of Dry Vermouth.
If you want to pair it with tonic water, I recommend using a "light" or "sugar-free" option. That helps the non-alcoholic base to stand its ground. Garnish it with a slice of orange and a drop of orange bitters to round off the drink.
4. Ceder's Classic
- Pros: Subtle and smooth with a floral flavor profile
- Cons: Taste is too subtle for our liking and easily overpowered by other ingredients
- Taste: Fresh and floral with hints of rooibos and lavender
- Price: $26
- Size: 750ml
- Origin: Sweden
Ceder's Classic is an interesting option because the brand never promoted it as a non-alcoholic gin alternative. Instead, stores, media, and even bartenders began promoting it as an excellent alternative, so we gave it a try.
My favorite part about Ceder's is that it boasts a truly unique flavor profile, partly of classic gin botanicals and partly of modern flavors like rooibos and lavender. You can also taste them in a drink in a nice, light, and subtle way.
On the other hand, this light taste also makes it prone to being overpowered by other ingredients; -An issue many gin alternatives are facing.
5. Seedlip Grove 42
- Pros: Nice and complex aroma and pairs well with other non-alcoholic liquor alternatives
- Cons: Extremely delicate and subtle flavors, not enough juniper notes
- Taste: Orange, blood orange, and slight notes of cucumber
- Price: $32
- Size: 700ml
- Origin: United Kingdom
Another big brand in the world of alcohol-free spirit alternatives is Seedlip. Seedlip produces a full range of na spirits, with Grove 42 being their go-to option when it comes to alternatives for real gin.
I can confirm, Grove 42 has a refreshing aroma of citrus fruits such as orange, blood orange, and lemon. However, this product lacks juniper notes and is overall too delicate. When pairing it with fresh and flavorful juices, you hardly taste it.
Yet, it shines in combination with other alcohol-free liquor alternatives. My favorite way to drink it was in a zero-proof Negroni.
6. Windspiel Alkoholfrei (alcohol-free)
- Pros: Prominent juniper aroma and floral-citrusy flavor profile
- Cons: Flavor profile too lemony
- Taste: Cloves, cinnamon, and dominant citrus notes with hints of juniper
- Price: $28
- Size: 500ml
- Origin: Germany
Windspiel is a renowned German gin producer. Their signature Dry Gin is distilled from their own potatoes, adding a unique touch. Lately, Windspiel also released an alcohol-free version of their gin, and the presentation alone is outstanding.
When pouring a sip into a glass, you get a strong juniper aroma alongside spicy notes from cloves and cinnamon. When tasting, the juniper notes are only noticeable in the background, and citrus flavors dominate instead.
I found picking a suitable tonic water to go with it surprisingly challenging. I tried quite a few and preferred light and sugar-free ones. In cocktails, it mainly brought citrusy notes to the drink, making it somewhat hard to use in alcohol-free takes on classic gin drinks.
FAQs
Yes. Like their alcoholic counterparts, na gin uses botanicals to infuse the base liquid with natural flavors.
In our test, Lyre's Dry London Spirit was the best option in a Gin & Tonic. Another great alternative is Siegfried Wonderleaf.
Our preferred alcohol-free alternatives are Siegfried Wonderleaf, Lyre's Dry London Spirit, and Salcombe's New London Light.
The taste is relatively thin and light. Alcohol itself is a great flavor enhancer and helps to pronounce savors and aromas.
Alcohol-free gin alternatives are best served with tonic water in a Gin and Tonic or Mocktails. It's not recommendable to drink them neat.