Zero-proof, full flavour: four of the best non-alcoholic gins
With Wimbledon upon us, and with more Brits embracing the ‘sober-curious’ lifestyle, these delicious, botanical-rich non-alcoholic gins are just the thing for courtside sipping and summer soirées.
Warner’s Distillery
Northamptonshire
“When you’re after a non-alcoholic tipple, you can do better than half a pint of squash,” say Warner’s. After two years of tinkering, this small but mighty B-Corp distillery has scooped up a haul of awards, including Distillery of the Year from the Gin Guide and two Footprint Drinks Sustainability gongs in 2021. Over 90% of their botanicals are grown on their own farm, resulting in flavour-packed beauties like Juniper Double Dry and Pink Berry. Properly grown-up, booze-free, and as satisfying, they say, as the real deal, without the wobbly walk home.
Find out more at Warner’s Distillery.
Pentire Drinks
Rock, Cornwall
Born on the wild North Cornish coast and named after the botanically-rich headland of Pentire Point, this proudly certified B-Corp distillery captures the essence of a bracing seaside walk – in a glass. It uses sustainably harvested coastal botanicals such as rock samphire, sage, and sea buckthorn, carefully distilled without a trace of ethanol. The brand’s breakout hit, Adrift, is herbal, fresh, and layered with lemon citrus, rosemary, and Cornish sea salt – serve it with tonic, lemon and a sprig of rosemary. Oh, and everything’s vegan, low-calorie, and sugar-free, of course.
Find out more at Pentire Drinks.
Stillers Celtic Myst
Wye Valley, Monmouth, Wales
If the Blues Brothers were on a mission from God, Stillers are “on a mission to help you drink mindfully”. And as the world’s first alcohol-free distillery, any list of this kind couldn’t possibly overlook them, or their Celtic Myst – a blend of juniper, citrus, and Mediterranean rosemary. Using pure Welsh spring water, this calorie-free, vegan-friendly alternative is perfect for those in need of bold flavours and a genuine gin experience, perfect for sober sips.
Find out more at Stillers
Salcombe Distillery – New London Light ‘First Light’
Salcombe, Devon
Crafted by master distiller Jason Nickels and named after a South Devon lighthouse, Salcombe’s first grog-free spirit is already racking up awards. It blends Macedonian juniper, ginger, habanero and sage – ingredients that allegedly do wonders for the body and brain – into a bold, twist on classic gin. Expect a long, smooth finish with sweet orange, star anise, floral coriander and lemongrass. In short: it’s complex, zesty, and every bit as lovingly made as their London Dry – just minus the hangover.
Find out more at Salcombe Distillery.
Ali Catterall is an award-winning writer, journalist and filmmaker whose writing has featured in the Guardian, Time Out, GQ, Film4, Word magazine and the Big Issue, among many others. Ali is also the writer and director of the 2023 film Scala!!!