The driest event of the year – will my big reveal leave you feeling parched?
The thought of tasting hundreds of no- and low-alcohol drinks was the least appealing event of my 2025 calendar – to put it very mildly. My previous experiences have ended unfruitfully and one tasting was memorably tagged “an end to all drinks tasting”. I feared this might be
the end of me.
Glass most definitely less than half-empty, both literally and metaphorically, I suspected it would be more tedious than doing the washing up and even duller than dishwater.
The event started inauspiciously, as I was accosted by a sales rep from a corporate stand before I’d even had time to take my jacket off. Nevertheless, I persevered. Despite this wholly non-alcoholic space feeling a little alien, I pressed on. Unsure whether I should spit or
swallow (phrasing entirely intentional), I opted to spit, partly out of habit, partly to avoid a bloated stomach.
Drum roll, please. To my surprise and delight, I slowly began discovering genuinely characterful, quirky and interest-piquing drinks. I even learnt some new terminology, such as “functional”.
I dislike, but understand, why menus describe cauliflower as a steak. And while the term functional drink is similarly ambiguous, the meaning is fairly clear: these drinks are designed to replace alcoholic ones, often using botanicals or ingredients that offer perceived health
benefits.
Suddenly, I was surrounded by the drinks equivalent of cauliflower wings, jackfruit pulled ‘pork’ and plant-based burgers and I left genuinely excited about how seriously we intend to approach this emerging no- and low-alcohol drinks category at The Good Wine Shop.
Sparkling tea: one to watch
Sparkling tea is still in its relative infancy, a little green, perhaps, but it’s going to blossom. A husband-and-wife team are behind Saicho, crafting tea-led sparklers with refined, layered flavours that genuinely reward attention.
Drink these zero-alcohol sparkling teas as you would a fine wine: well chilled and served in a wine glass. And if you don’t have one to hand? A teacup somehow feels entirely appropriate.
Explore our range of Saicho sparkling teas:
Saicho Sparkling Jasmine Tea
Saicho Hojicha Tea
Wine alternatives done properly
NON was another standout. These functional wine alternatives deliver layered flavours and impressive food-friendliness, making them far more compelling than most de-alcoholised wines.
My current favourites from NON include:
NON 3 – Yuzu & Cinnamon
NON 5 – Lemon Marmalade & Hibiscus
I would much rather drink a NON than a de-alcoholised wine that’s been through reverse osmosis, an expensive process that strips flavour and often relies on grape juice to mask the loss. That said, there is hope for de-alcoholised wine, and the best examples I tasted came from 0%riginal from Portugal, with standout wines being their de-alcholised Syrah, Rosé
(also from Syrah) and an aromatic white made with Moscatel grapes.
Alcohol-free spirits with attitude
Another discovery was Crossip, who make unapologetically bold alcohol-free spirits. The summery Blazing Pineapple was my pick. Add ginger beer, plenty of ice and a slice of lime, and you’ll find yourself transported to a make-believe world.
Trust me – I’m a doctor. (In this land of make believe.)
Try:
Crossip Blazing Pineapple
Crossip Dandy Smoke
An exciting find, though available in-store only, was Phony Negroni, a pre-mixed, non- alcoholic, single-serve Negroni that has made its way from across the pond and onto our shelves.
So, is it worth it?
If you’re on the wagon this January, we now have plenty of inspiring no- and low-alcohol drinks that genuinely function as wine or spirits. And if you’re not? You could always drink real wine and eat actual steak.
Whatever your approach, have a very happy new year.
