Everyone is looking for non alcoholic spirits these days. They are definitely becoming more and more popular! So we wanted to set out to find the best non alcoholic spirits on the market. First stop- non alcoholic gin!
Non alcoholic gin has so many uses. You can use it to make a tasty Tom Collins mocktail or a classic Virgin French 75. The refreshing taste of gin can’t be beaten and now you can enjoy it without any alcohol at all. Excited? We are too!
What is Non Alcoholic Gin?
Non alcoholic gin is essentially gin with the alcohol removed. It is made with all the same ingredients as a classic gin and in much the same way. Once the gin is complete and the flavors have developed the alcohol is removed through a distillation process. The result- delicious, alcohol free gin! But let’s look a little closer…
How to Make Non-Alcoholic Gin
Non alcoholic gin is made just like traditional gin. The botanical blend is mashed and macerated in a neutral alcohol. The gin then sits to infuse the flavors into the alcohol. The mix goes through multiple rounds of distillation to remove the alcohol and leave behind just the flavored liquid. No alcohol is left but all the flavor of great gin remains!
Some non alcoholic gins are made just by steeping the botanicals in water, skipping the alcohol and distillation process. These gins still taste great but are just made in a different way. You will have to try a few non alcoholic gin brands to see which methods you think make the gin taste the best.
What Does Non Alcoholic Gin Taste Like
Gin was first made from grain mash but today, it can be made from grapes, apples or even potatoes. The flavor of the base will contribute to the taste of the gin and non alcoholic gins are the same.
Gin is also traditionally made with juniper berries. Every non alcoholic gin we looked at also had juniper berries as the main flavor, making it taste close to the real thing. Juniper berries have a piney and citrus taste. They are sweet and aromatic and that is the flavor you will taste the most in non alcoholic gins.
Non alcoholic gins are also flavored with other types of essences. Citrus, coriander, cinnamon, ginger and cardamom are common spices in non-alcoholic gins. They will be lacking the strong taste of ethanol alcohol and lacking the traditional bite of real gin. However, many non alcoholic brands will add more pepper or spice to get that potent taste back.
Every brand will be different! So which is best? Let’s find out…
Best Non Alcoholic Gin Brands on the Market
We tried a lot of different non alcoholic gins to come up with our top five favorites. You should definitely give them each a try because they really are quite different!
1. Monday Zero Alcohol Gin
Monday gin has a delicious juniper and cucumber taste. Monday gin even has the bitter taste of real alcohol, giving it a bit of a bite and barely-there burn. It tastes very similar to the real thing!
Monday gin also has a viscosity that is close to true gin. It is not as watery as other non alcoholic spirits and has a slightly thicker consistency.
Use Monday non alcoholic gin to make your favorite gin mocktails. It is perfect in a classic gin martini or in a virgin French 75. Monday is also a very affordable brand. Allowing everyone to enjoy non alcoholic gin!
2. Lyre’s London Dry Spirit
Lyre’s London Dry definitely has that bitter and zesty juniper berry taste. It is one of the few non alcoholic gins that is made with quinine, the ingredient that gives tonic water its distinctive taste. Lyre’s almost tastes like a classic gin and tonic without needing any tonic! Of course, that also means you can make it with real tonic water to make a perfect mocktail.
Lyre’s is great if you really like dry gin. It is very, very dry which many people will love. It does have a good citrus flavor and is much lighter than other non alcoholic gins. You can find Lyre’s in many stores since it is a very popular brand in the alcohol free world. It is a very solid choice if you need a non alcoholic gin!
3. Sobrii 0 Gin
Sobrii is a small batch non alcoholic gin made in Canada. It has a great floral and spice small with the taste to match. Sobrii is made with allspice, star anise and ginseng. This unique blend makes it quite a strong non alcoholic gin despite having no alcohol at all!
The flavor of Sorii is definitely boosted by adding a fizzy mix in like club soda or tonic water. It really is best as a mixed drink rather than straight from the bottle. It is a little more watery than other non alcoholic gins but fantastic when mixed in a mocktail.
4. Seedlip Grove 42
Seedlip Grove 42 is a super fruity, blood orange tasting gin substitute. Open the bottle and you will smell those oranges right away! However, take a sip and you will be surprised by how mild the gin tastes. It is delicate and a little bit sweet while still having the essence of a real gin.
Each batch of Seedlip is individually distilled in a copper pot. It is calorie free, sugar free and allergen free. Seedlip gin alternative also comes in two other flavors, Garden 108 and Spice 94.You should give them each a try because all the flavors are quite unique.
5. Ritual Zero Proof Gin Alternative
Ritual gin has a refreshing bite that tastes very similar to real,alcoholic gin. It also claims to be the highest rated gin alternative, receiving a gold medal from the Beverage Testing Institute. That high score is thanks to the unique taste of the cucumber, angelica root, and juniper.
The clean and fresh taste of Ritual gin alternative is great for mixing into a gimlet mocktail or a tasty negroni. It really is best when blended with other ingredients, enhancing the overall taste of the drink.
Non alcoholic gin is a great way to infuse flavor into your favorite mocktails. It is hard to replicate the natural flavor of gin without using the real thing. Luckily, there are plenty of incredible alternatives to try! Let us know which you love the best!
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