If you or any of your guests are sober, the obvious benefit is that everyone will have something to sip on. But anyone can enjoy non-alcoholic beverages. 

Whether you’re cutting back on alcohol, skipping it for the night or simply looking for something different, there are plenty of alcohol-free drinks to choose from. Options range from familiar favorites like iced tea and sparkling water to mocktails, non-alcoholic beer and wine, and zero-proof spirits.

In this guide, we’ll break down popular alcohol alternatives, what they taste like and a few easy drinks you can make at home.

What counts as an alcohol-free drink?

Many consumers count mocktails, zero-proof drinks, NA beer and traditional beverages like soda and sparkling water as alcohol-free drinks. But some products labeled “non-alcoholic” can actually contain trace amounts of alcohol. 

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau considers a drink non-alcoholic if its ABV is less than 0.5%. However, beverages with “alcohol-free” labels generally contain no alcohol or an untraceable amount. Alcohol-free drinks include:

• Zero-proof beverages: Alcohol-free versions of beer, spirits, wine and cocktails made to recreate the flavors and feel of their alcoholic counterparts.

• Traditional beverages: Everyday drinks such as soda, sparkling water, lemonade, iced tea and coffee.

• Mocktails: Non-alcoholic cocktails, often mixed with things like fruit, herbs, soda, juice, bitters or sparkling water.

• Wellness drinks: Beverages made with ingredients associated with specific wellness benefits, such as electrolytes, probiotics or vitamins.

Popular non-alcoholic drinks to try 

There’s more to alcohol-free drinks than soda and sparkling water. From beer and wine to spirit alternatives, these popular options offer a range of flavors for different tastes and occasions.

Non-alcoholic beer

• Flavor: Malty, hoppy, crisp, creamy and occasionally fruity

If you like the taste of beer but want to skip the buzz, non-alcoholic beer is an easy place to start. It’s brewed much like traditional beer, using ingredients such as malted grains, hops and yeast. 

Brewers can limit alcohol during fermentation or remove it afterward through processes such as filtration or evaporation. Depending on the product, NA beer may contain less than 0.5% ABV, so check the label if you’re looking for a 0% option

Flavor-wise, there’s plenty of range. Some NA beers lean hoppy and bitter, while others are maltier, creamier or fruitier. The selection has also grown well beyond basic lagers, with plenty of options for fans of IPAs, wheat beers and darker brews.

Non-alcoholic wine

• Flavor: Fruity, floral, crisp, earthy and lightly sweet

Winemakers start by fermenting grapes to develop the flavors and aromas associated with wine. When the wine is aged and finished, they remove the alcohol through methods such as vacuum distillation or filtration. 

The flavor can vary quite a bit depending on the grape and type of wine. Some NA wines are crisp and fruity, while others have earthy, floral or more savory notes. Removing alcohol can change a wine’s body, aroma and texture, so many non-alcoholic wines taste lighter than their traditional counterparts

Non-alcoholic spirits

• Flavor: Herbal, botanical, citrusy, bitter, smoky or spiced

NA spirits bring the flavor and feel of spirits to cocktails without the alcohol. They’re made with ingredients such as botanicals, spices, herbs and fruit, then blended, distilled or otherwise processed to create a concentrated flavor.

Unlike traditional spirits, NA spirits don’t go through alcoholic fermentation. But they can mimic the flavors of alcohol with the right blend of ingredients, making them a flavorful base for mocktail recipes. For example, a spirit can capture some of the piney, herbal character of gin by adding juniper, citrus and aromatic herbs.

Virgin mojito

• Flavor: Minty, tart, citrusy and lightly sweet

A virgin mojito keeps the bright, cooling character of a traditional mojito but skips the rum. Fresh mint and lime give the drink its signature flavor, while sparkling water adds plenty of fizz. A little sugar or simple syrup rounds everything out.

This is a particularly good pick when you want something light and refreshing with dinner or at a warm-weather gathering. It also makes a great base for experimenting with other flavors and incorporating ingredients like berries or tropical fruit.

Shirley Temple

• Flavor: Sweet, fruity, citrusy and fizzy 

The Shirley Temple is a sweet, fizzy mocktail traditionally made with lemon-lime soda or ginger ale and grenadine. Despite its candy-colored appearance, the nostalgic beverage doesn’t contain alcohol, making it a straightforward choice for kids and adults.

Grenadine gives the drink its rosy color and pomegranate-flavored sweetness. Modern versions may use pomegranate juice instead for a more tart, fruit-forward finish. A splash of orange juice can also add some body and tartness. 

Virgin piña colada

• Flavor: Creamy, tropical, sweet and coconutty

A virgin piña colada has all the tropical appeal of the original, just without the rum. Pineapple juice and coconut cream create its signature sweet, creamy flavor, while ice gives it the thick, frosty texture people expect from a piña colada.

Keep an eye on the ingredients when ordering piña colada mixes, though. Some premixed or ready-to-drink piña colada products may contain alcohol, so check the label before ordering.

Virgin margarita

• Flavor: Tart, citrusy, salty and lightly sweet

NA drinks like a virgin margarita keep the tangy citrus and salty-sweet flavors of a margarita. Lime juice does most of the heavy lifting, with orange juice or a splash of orange-flavored syrup adding some sweetness and depth. Sparkling water can give it a little fizz, too.

It’s also easy to adjust depending on how tart or sweet you like your drinks. A salted rim makes it taste even more like a traditional margarita, while fresh lime keeps the whole thing bright.

Try one of these takes:

• Classic virgin margarita: Lime juice, orange juice, simple syrup and sparkling water.

• Strawberry margarita: Blend fresh or frozen strawberries with lime juice and your favorite margarita base.

• Spicy virgin margarita: Add muddled jalapeño or a dash of chili seasoning for some heat.

Virgin Moscow mule

• Flavor: Spicy, gingery, tart and citrusy

A traditional Moscow mule is made with vodka, ginger beer and lime juice, so it isn’t an alcohol-free drink. But it can be if you leave out the vodka.

Ginger beer gives the drink its signature bite and carbonation, while fresh lime adds a tart edge that keeps the sweetness in check. That makes it one of the simplest virgin drinks to mix at home: It doesn’t need much else to feel like a proper cocktail.

Roy Rogers

• Flavor: Sweet, fizzy, fruity and cola-rich

A Roy Rogers is a simple cola mocktail made with grenadine that adds sweetness and a deep red hue. If you enjoy the cola-forward flavor of a Rum and Coke or Cuba Libre, a Roy Rogers offers a similar sweet, fizzy profile without the rum.

The Roy Rogers is especially easy to make at home and works well when you want something a little more festive than a plain soda. For a less sweet beverage, use a small amount of grenadine and let the cola do most of the work.

Arnold Palmer

• Flavor: Citrusy, lightly sweet, tart and tea-like

The Arnold Palmer is one of those alcohol-free drinks that barely needs an introduction. It combines iced tea and lemonade for a drink that’s tart, lightly sweet and deeply refreshing. 

Better yet, you can customize it to strike your perfect balance. 

More tea makes the drink a little more mellow, while extra lemonade brings out its citrusy side. Black tea is the usual choice, though green or herbal tea are also popular. And you can use fresh mint, sliced peaches or a splash of sparkling water for a new take on the old favorite. 

Paloma Fizz

• Flavor: Tart, citrusy, grapefruit-bitter and bubbly 

A Paloma Fizz puts a bubbly spin on the grapefruit-and-lime flavors associated with a traditional Paloma. The alcohol-free version skips the tequila and combines grapefruit juice, fresh lime and sparkling water for a tart, fizzy drink with plenty of citrus flavor.

Grapefruit brings a pleasant bitterness that keeps the drink from tasting overly sweet, while lime adds a sharper citrus note. A little agave or simple syrup can sweeten the drink if needed. A salted rim gives it another nod to the original cocktail.

A Paloma Fizz is a good choice when you want a drink that’s more interesting than plain sparkling water but that still feels light and refreshing.

Blackberry Vanilla Crush

• Flavor: Fruity, tart, sweet and softly vanilla-scented

A Blackberry Vanilla Crush combines juicy blackberries with the soft sweetness of vanilla for a fruity alcohol-free drink with plenty of personality. Fresh blackberries give the drink its deep color and tart flavor, while vanilla adds a mellow sweetness that smooths things out.

Muddle the berries before mixing to release their juices, then add vanilla syrup and a squeeze of lemon or lime to brighten the drink. Finish with sparkling water for some fizz, or blend everything with ice for a thicker frozen version.

Thyme-Infused Pear Sour

• Flavor: Tart, fruity, herbal and lightly sweet

Pear and thyme make an unexpectedly good match in this alcohol-free sour. Pear nectar brings a mellow sweetness. The lemon juice provides the tartness that gives a sour its signature bite. Fresh thyme adds an earthy herbal note that balances the pear and lemon. 

A traditional sour often gets its balance from a spirit, but this version instead builds complexity with fresh ingredients. You can add a little simple syrup if the lemon is particularly tart, then finish with sparkling water for some lift.

The combination feels especially fitting in cooler months, when pear and fresh herbs are right at home. It also makes a nice choice for anyone who wants an alcohol-free drink with a more nuanced flavor profile.

Spicy Mango Margarita

• Flavor: Sweet, tropical, tangy and spicy

A Spicy Mango Margarita brings ripe mango and fresh lime into the mix, with a little heat to wake everything up. For an alcohol-free version, skip the tequila and add mango nectar or purée, lime juice and sparkling water. Jalapeño adds the heat, while a touch of agave can balance the tartness.

The heat is easy to adjust, too. Muddle a small slice of jalapeño for a gentle tingle or add more if you like serious spice. A chili-salt rim adds a savory edge and gives the drink that familiar margarita finish.

Espresso Mocktini

• Flavor: Rich, bitter, sweet and creamy

Espresso Mocktinis have a rich coffee flavor that comes from chilled espresso or cold brew. Just add a sweetener and a cream like half-and-half, heavy cream or canned coconut milk. 

Shake with ice until chilled and frothy. Top it with coffee beans or a cocoa powder rim to finish it off. If it's too bitter for your taste at this point, stir in a little vanilla syrup.

Smoked Maple Old Fashioned

• Flavor: Smoky, rich, warm and lightly sweet

A Smoked Maple Old Fashioned takes inspiration from the whiskey-based cocktail with warm maple and smoky flavors. An alcohol-free version uses a zero-proof whiskey alternative in place of bourbon or rye, then adds maple syrup and bitters for depth. 

The bitters deserve a label check, though. Alcohol-free bitters are available, but some contain alcohol. 

A little orange zest brings out the maple without making the drink overly sweet. And a smoked salt or a few drops of a non-alcoholic smoked syrup adds to the flavor. 

Cold Brew Carajillo

• Flavor: Bold, smooth, bittersweet and lightly sweet

A traditional Carajillo combines coffee with a spirit or liqueur, most famously Licor 43 in the Spanish-style version. An alcohol-free take keeps the cold coffee and skips the liquor, making it a good pick for anyone who likes their drinks bold and caffeinated.

Cold brew gives the drink a smooth coffee base. Add a little vanilla syrup for sweetness and, if you like, an alcohol-free spirit with warm spice or citrus notes.

Spritz

• Flavor: Bubbly, citrusy, fruity, floral or bitter depending on the ingredients

A spritz is a simple cocktail made with a sparkling mixer, an apéritif or flavored syrup and plenty of ice. The alcohol-free version can use sparkling water or a zero-proof aperitif, making it easy to adapt to whatever flavors you’re craving.

This drink works especially well with fruit and floral flavors, and a pretty garnish can make it feel party-ready without much extra work. 

Keep in mind that an Aperol Spritz or Campari Spritz made with the traditional liqueurs is alcoholic. Use alcohol-free alternatives for a virgin spritz. 

Try one of these alcohol-free variations:

• Citrusy spritz: Blood orange juice, sparkling water and a little citrus syrup.

• Lavender-blueberry spritz: Blueberry purée, lavender syrup, lemon juice and sparkling water.

• Aperol spritz: An alcohol-free aperitif, sparkling water and orange.

• Very berry limoncello: Berry purée, lemon juice, lemon syrup and sparkling water.

• Campari spritz: An alcohol-free bitter aperitif, sparkling water and an orange garnish.

Functional drinks

• Flavor: Tangy, earthy, spicy, herbal or lightly sweet depending on the ingredients

Functional drinks are beverages made with ingredients that offer a specific nutritional or wellness benefit beyond hydration. The category includes plenty of alcohol-free options, but you should always take care to double-check labels, especially before consuming fermented drinks such as kombucha.

Try these easy combinations for a wellness-focused mixed drink:

• Kombucha spritz: Pour your favorite kombucha over ice and top with sparkling water.

• Ginger-turmeric elixir: Blend ginger, turmeric, lemon juice, honey and water, then strain and chill.

• Bitters and club soda: Add a few dashes of alcohol-free bitters to chilled club soda and serve over ice.

FAQs 

Is it legal for minors to drink NA beer? 

It depends on where you live. Federal law doesn’t prohibit minors from drinking beverages containing less than 0.5% ABV, but individual states and retailers may have their own rules for selling or serving non-alcoholic beer to people under 21. Check your local laws if you’re unsure.

Can you drink non-alcoholic drinks while pregnant?

If you’re pregnant, talk with your healthcare professional about which beverages are appropriate for you. The CDC recommends avoiding alcohol entirely during pregnancy because there is no known safe amount.

Can you drink non-alcoholic beer in public? 

Laws governing non-alcoholic beer can vary by state, city and venue, particularly for products containing trace amounts of alcohol. Check the rules for your area or ask the venue before drinking one in public.

Order non-alcoholic drinks through Instacart

Stocking up on alcohol-free drinks for dinner, a party or a quiet night at home? Browse Instacart for non-alcoholic beer, alcohol-free spirits and non-alcoholic cocktail mixers for margaritas, piña coladas and other mocktails. Then have your order delivered right to your door.