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The best non-alcoholic whiskey for sipping and mixing
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As someone who's sampled over 150 of the best bourbons, Scotches, ryes, and more, I understand the challenge of Dry January. Fortunately, non-alcoholic whiskey has come a long way, providing a sophisticated option for those embracing a month of sobriety and all mocktail enthusiasts.
With Dry January becoming increasingly popular, I tested six of the best non-alcoholic whiskeys, comparing their flavor profiles to traditional spirits and assessing their performance in mocktails. My non-drinking wife and a friend joined me in this taste test to supply diverse perspectives. Two standouts emerged: Free Spirits Spirit of Bourbon and Monday Zero Alcohol Whiskey. Here's what set them apart and how the other contenders measured up.
Whether you're committed to Dry January or exploring alcohol-free options year-round, our comprehensive guide to the best non-alcoholic drinks covers everything from tequilas to wines.
I included Big Nose Kate Western Whiskey (90 proof) as a comparison to see if it was possible to mistake non-alcoholic whiskey for the real deal. It was obvious which whiskey had alcohol. I'd take Big Nose Kate over any of the non-alcoholic brands. However, the zero-proof whiskeys were tasty.
Lyre's, Gnista, and Ritual weren't nearly as good as our two favorite picks, though depending on your tastes, you may prefer them. For instance, Ritual Whiskey Alternative is a good choice if you like floral flavoring.
Yet, if you want a sweet mixer for your mocktail, you might find Gnista Barreled Oak more enjoyable than I did.
I had high hopes for Lyre's since I'd previously enjoyed the brand's American Malt & Cola Premix Drink, their answer to Jack and Coke.
For a fair comparison, we used a complicated system to ensure that my wife (Erin), friend (Amber), and I were all blind to which non-alcoholic whiskey was in each Old Fashioned. I chose an Old Fashioned for the comparison because it's one of the most popular whiskey cocktails.
Each Old Fashioned had the following ingredients:
- 2 ounces of non-alcoholic whiskey
- 2 teaspoons homemade honey-ginger syrup
- 3 dashes Stirrings Blood Orange Cocktail Bitters (non-alcoholic)
Sipping the Monday Zero-Alcohol Whiskey old-fashioned, I caught a hint of prune on the nose while Amber smelled maple, which didn't come through on the palate. Instead, she found it fruity and evocative of Jim Beam. It "would be amazing in tea," she said.
This was Erin's second favorite; the creaminess reminded her of a cream soda. She liked the hint of spice on the tip of the tongue. I also appreciated the pleasant spice and depth of flavor.
Erin thought the Free Spirits Bourbon mocktail was similar to Monday but that the spice was stronger at the back of her throat. The flavor reminded her of chai. Amber noted that it smelled like cider but with a bite. "I think I'd like to try this one hot," she added.
With sweetness dominating, I didn't think the flavor was as complex as the Monday cocktail, but it was still delicious. I picked up gingerbread notes.
A few cocktails fell out of our top spots. The Gnista Old Fashioned was evocative of ginger ale with heavy sweetness and mild spice. None of us cared for the Ritual Zero Proof mocktail, but it may appeal to people who like floral notes in their beverages. The Lyre's Old Fashioned lacked flavor depth and reminded us of grape juice.
I don't care to drink Spiritless Kentucky 74 neat since it has a strong bitter flavor evocative of the infamously awful Malort, though not as extreme. However, it's a reasonable substitute for former drinkers who miss the "Kentucky hug" of bourbon. It sends a warm tingle as it travels down your throat, not as strong as a good whiskey but better than most non-alcoholic whiskeys.
Where the Kentucky 74 shined for me was in a mocktail. I used it in an Old Fashioned, which reminded me of the real thing. Sweetness and bitterness were well-balanced to produce a complex drink that didn't leave me wondering where the alcohol was.
I'd recommend this option to people who want a non-alcoholic whiskey with some kick that can serve as a suitable substitute in whiskey cocktails.
If whiskey isn't your thing, we tested over 40 of the best non-alcoholic drinks that don't compromise taste. Among the highlights in our guide is Jukes 6, an impressive non-alcoholic wine with a complex, spice-forward profile, and the hoppy, 0.5% ABV Athletic Brewing Co.'s Run Wild.
My wife, a mocktail connoisseur, has been digging Free Spirits Non-Alcoholic Aperitivo Milano, especially in mocktails. She likes that it's not trying too hard to be an alcohol alternative, avoiding the syrupy or bitter notes common in this category.
I wouldn't casually drink any of the non-alcoholic whiskeys on their own. Yet, I'd gladly fix myself a mocktail using Monday or Free Spirits when I feel like having a fancy drink without alcohol. These two were the best.
If my non-drinking friend Amber is any indication, the non-alcoholic whiskeys may be a good option for people who are several years into their recovery and can handle a potential flavor trigger. She said she'd like to take the remainder of my samples after I'm done. If that isn't a ringing endorsement, I don't know what is.
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