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12 of our favourite low- and no-alc cocktails (and how to make them)

Read time 3 Mins

Posted 29 Jan 2025

By
Dimitri Tricolas

The Second Serve cocktail is less than one standard drink

Moderation has never tasted so good.

Going ‘dry’ for a month used to mean something different. Anyone who has been around long enough to have bragged about doing FebFast on their Facebook ‘Wall’ will tell you that it meant washing down a good steak or nice pasta with a half-baked, haphazardly thrown-together Shirley Temple or Red Fire Engine – a proper challenge! But not any more.

As the list of officially designated ‘dry months’ grows, so too does the quality of our zero%* alcohol options. And with a few pro tips to help guide you, Dry January, FebFast, Dry July and Sober October (did we miss any?) are tasting better than ever. But moderation isn’t just about abstinence; it’s also about, well, moderation – and that doesn’t mean watering down your drinks either, by the way.

Lower-alcohol alternatives have been hiding in plain sight all along – the history books are bursting with delicious aperitif and liqueur-based cocktails (Pimm’s Cup, anyone?) that come in under one standard drink per serve. You just needed someone to organise them into a convenient list, right?

So, whether you’re committing to a month-long abstinence in the name of charity or just embracing a little moderation, there’s never been a better time to explore the slew of lower and no-alc cocktails on offer.

We’ve rounded up 12 of our faves below – each boasting classic flavours, innovative ingredients and enough style to quench your thirst for a delicious drink without quenching your plans.

*contains not more than 0.5% ALC/VOL

4 MINS READ

Frozen Non-Alcoholic* Piña Colada

Combining fresh pineapple juice, coconut and dark rum, the Piña Colada is the undisputed queen of cocktail-umbrella drinks, which makes nailing a non-alc version so important. With Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic Dark Cane Spirit and a healthy dash of thick coconut cream on board, this one ticks all the right boxes.

4 MINS READ

Non-Alcoholic Watermelon Mojito cocktail recipe

Booze or no booze, a well-made cocktail is about balance and flavour, and this recipe has both in spades. Fresh watermelon and lime juice are a famously delicious combo. Muddled over crushed ice with a dash of non-alc spirit and garnished with fresh mint, it’s a bonafide beauty.

5 MINS READ

Dark & Spicy Non-Alcoholic cocktail recipe

Love a Dark & Stormy? Meet its equally tasty alcohol-free cousin, the Dark & Spicy. This refreshing number blends spicy ginger beer, zesty lime and a touch of vanilla for a flavour profile that’s remarkably close to the OG. Perfect for those seeking a sophisticated alternative.

4 MINS READ

Non-Alcoholic Grapefruit Julep recipe

This refreshing, non-alcoholic take on the Mint Julep is a lock for hot summer days. Combining tart grapefruit, zesty lemon and sweet honey with ginger ale and mint, this cocktail is every bit as satisfying as its legendary ancestor, only without the kick.

2 MINS READ

Dry Basil Smash non-alcoholic* cocktail recipe

What makes a classic Gin Basil Smash so darn smashing? Its abundance of floral and herbaceous aromas, of course. It’s a good thing, then, that today’s crop of zero%* alcohol gins compromise nothing in that department. So simple. So good.

2 MINS READ

Non-Alcoholic Kentucky Buck cocktail recipe

The foundation of a classic Kentucky Buck is a good bourbon, and thanks to the vast range of top-shelf zero%* alcohol whiskeys on the market, this version delivers the same refreshing taste. Muddled strawberries, lemon juice, a dash of bitters – what’s not to love?

4 MINS READ

Americano cocktail recipe

Tired of Negronis? Probs not, but the Americano still could still be your new best friend. This sprightly Italian classic blends Campari, sweet vermouth and soda water for a refreshing and bittersweet aperitif. Experiment with the ratios to find your perfect balance. Trust us, it’s a banger.

3 MINS READ

Elderflower Lemon Sour cocktail recipe

This bright, tangy and lower-alc twist on the Tom Collins is a summer must-try. Created by Sydney cocktail legend Charlie Lehmann, it’s a simple, refreshing blend of elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and sparkling water. Bubbly and sexy, it’s the “Stifler’s Mum” of cocktails, according to Charlie.

4 MINS READ

Pimm’s Cup cocktail recipe

A quintessentially British classic, The Pimm’s Cup is a timeless blend of Pimm’s No.1 Aperitif, lemonade, and ginger ale. Garnished with cucumber, strawberries, and mint for a touch of summer elegance, this naturally low-alc tipple is a punch bowl prefect.

2 MINS READ

Garibaldi cocktail recipe

Who knew two basic ingredients could be so bloody good?! Named for the legendary General Garibaldi, this simple yet stunning lower-alcohol masterpiece is made with nothing but Campari and ‘fluffy’ orange juice. Molto bene!

2 MINS READ

Second Serve cocktail recipe

Combining fino sherry and Amaro Montenegro, the Second Serve is a sophisticated and surprisingly balanced cocktail. With its bittersweet, citrusy profile, this is the perfect drink for those seeking a lighter yet flavour-packed swill.

3 MINS READ

Tokyo Sour cocktail recipe

Tangy with a spicy kick, the Tokyo Sour elevates sake to cocktail stardom. Japan’s ubiquitous rice wine meets lemon, grapefruit and agave, and it comes finished with a togarashi-rimmed glass. A sophisticated lower-alc option that showcases the versatility of sake.