Alcoholic drinks often have high sugar levels, leading to a rise in the alcohol-free market. Many delicious options are available, from drinks like Kin’s social elixir infused with nootropic lion’s mane mushroom to their adaptogen-infused nightcap that can help you relax and unwind.
However, it’s important to remember that low and alcohol-free drinks can still contain calories and should be consumed in moderation.
They’re Calorie-Free
Whether you’re a long-time teetotaler, want to cut back on alcohol for health reasons, or are taking part in Dry January, switching to nonalcoholic spirits is a great way to stay hydrated while enjoying your favorite cocktails. Known as zero-proof, botanical drinks or non alcoholic spirits, these booze-free distillates can mix up cocktails and mocktails. These products are an excellent choice for individuals looking for an ideal solution. Avoid alcohol, but isn’t ready to give up the good stuff.
Ethanol performs a lot of crucial flavor and experience-enhancing tasks in spirit – as a solvent, carrying perfume compounds; as an agent in your throat and palate, amplifying flavor intensity; and even as a thickener, creating a dense texture that helps to round out the mouthfeel. When you replace it with a high-quality, low-calorie alternative, the result is a beverage that’s just as delicious (if not more) than the real thing.
However, it’s important to note that these alcohol-free spirits shouldn’t be expected to taste just like a neat pour of 20-year Pappy Van Winkle because they were designed specifically for use in cocktails. A 50ml of Gordon’s booze-free gin contains just six calories, while the same amount of regular gin will set you back about 130. They’re much better for your health than the higher-calorie options – beer and wine.
They’re Better for Your Health
Unlike cocktails, nonalcoholic spirits are distilled drinks that contain no alcohol. They can be made by preventing the alcohol from forming during the distillation process or removing it after the fact.
Nonalcoholic spirits are often brewed using herbal and botanical ingredients rich in vitamins and antioxidants. It makes them healthy alternatives to soft drinks and can give the same depth of flavor that alcoholic beverages have. Many of the botanicals used in creating alcohol-free spirits, such as hibiscus, ginger, rosemary, and turmeric, are also great for your gut biome – meaning they can help you stay fit and well.
It makes them an excellent choice to drink when trying to lose weight, as they have fewer calories than alcoholic spirits (which have around seven calories per gram). They are also ideal for drinking at social events like weddings, where guests could become drunk and cause problems.
However, it’s important to note that, as with low-calorie wines and beers, some ‘zero alcohol’ drinks can still contain small amounts of alcohol. Those containing more than 0.05% ABV must be marked as such. The same goes for lower-alcohol ‘lighter-bodied’ drinks, which may still contain up to 0.5% ABV and must be marked as such.
They’re Hydrating
The popularity of nonalcoholic spirits is on the rise and can be found in bars, bottle shops, and even people’s homes. With more and more people choosing to reduce their alcohol consumption, they are seeking alternatives that allow them to enjoy the rituals of drinking a cocktail without all the added calories. As a result, many of these booze-free spirits are consciously low in calories and use natural sweeteners to give drinks a subtle and balanced flavor.
While these spirits may have less alcohol, they are still made from high-quality ingredients and undergo a rigorous production process similar to full-strength alcoholic spirits, including distillation and maceration. In addition, many of these products also use a variety of infusion, fermentation, and extraction methods to produce their unique flavors and mouthfeels. Finding a spirit that suits your taste, even if it is more expensive than standard vodka or whiskey, is possible.
Many of the newer booze-free spirits on the market are also formulated to be gluten-free, vegan, and free of allergens, making them an ideal option for social occasions. It is conducive at weddings where it can be challenging to cater to teetotal guests unwilling to drink alcohol.
They’re Social
While many enjoy spirits, some seek the taste and ritual of drinking without the alcohol. For them, the new wave of nonalcoholic options is a game-changer.
For the first time in history, teetotalers can find delicious-tasting drinks that match the quality and complexity of full-strength spirits. Gone are the days of settling for tired colas or sugary mocktails. Instead, these new company offerings allow teetotalers to sip cocktails alongside their fellow alcohol drinkers.
Of course, the fact that these new nonalcoholic spirits can match up with their alcoholic counterparts is due to a little bit of science and technology. Many brands use advanced extraction processes to make their products taste as authentic as possible.
Ultimately, however, the new nonalcoholic spirits won’t be able to taste precisely like high-test Pappy Van Winkle out of the bottle. That is because the producers of these products designed them to be used in cocktails rather than sipped straight. It is a big reason why they’re so popular.
