While it can be a thrill to find an NA spirit that hits a similar spot to a "full-leaded" favorite, we also enjoy discovering the totally unique and new flavors of the NA world.
Here's our most recent list of NA beverages that speak for themselves in all the best ways!
Try them and let us know what you think!
Our tasting panel agreed that the refreshing and complex flavor profiles and textures of Tweedle create an experience that invites slow sipping.
Tweedle Botanicals
Tweedle Botanicals
A unanimous panel favorite. Cloudy color with a slight anise, root beer nose, almost medicinal. Our panel noted balanced flavors including citrus/bitter grapefruit, wintergreen, and anise.
Click to tryWhile the original Pentire, Adrift, gets a lot of attention, there’s something subtle and captivating about Seaward. We enjoyed it with sparkling water (and perhaps a hint of simple syrup) to catch all the flavor notes.
Pentire Seaward
Pentire Seaward
A subtle, clear spirit with warming spice. Our panel found it complex, bright, and interesting while some said it was too subtle.
Click to tryBorn in Scotland and made by veterans of the spirits industry, Feragaia is like nothing we’d tried before. Fourteen botanicals harvested from local farms and from the sea combine to create a deep flavor that lingers.
Feragaia
Feragaia
A unique dark spirit that isn’t trying to be anything but itself. Made in Scotland from locally sourced ingredients, we found notes of black tea and herbs. Suggested pairings include ginger beer and complex cocktails.
Click to tryThe Pathfinder is a cult classic for a reason. This hemp-based, complex spirit is fun to mix, but also easy to sip alone. While it’s tempting to compare it to a whiskey, the flavors stand on their own and offer a unique experience.
The Pathfinder
The Pathfinder
One of a kind, our panelists enjoyed the sweetness and herby nose of this hemp-based beverage. Layers of flavor with a character close to an amaro. Notes of cola, a round mouthfeel with a zesty spice with some anise notes. The flavor grew on our panelists who enjoyed it mixed into a riff on a Negroni.
Click to tryOur panel immediately fell in love with Tennyson—from the citrus to the black pepper notes to the ease we found in mixing it into cocktails of all kinds—this was a unanimous hit.
Tenneyson Black Ginger
Tenneyson Black Ginger
A strong orange flavor with a spicy orange peel nose. Our panel found it very tart and spicy in a ginger/peppery way, with a pleasant tannic bitterness and texture of orange peel. Several on the panel found it complex enough to substitute for a neat whiskey.
Click to tryKnown as a trend setter in the beverage world, Three Spirits's products focus on flavor and texture. The Livener is no exception. A perfect complement to an evening of lively conversation.
Three Spirit Livener
Three Spirit Livener
A spicy nose and a nice burn that sneaks up on you as you sip. By itself, it’s complex and interesting, and the long lingering burn is pleasant. Three Spirit suggests mixing with soda water, but it’s also very lovely with tonic.
Click to try-
Writer & AFTER AF Tasting Guide Team Leader
Cara Strickland is an award-winning writer specializing in food and drink, relationships, parenting, and books. Her work has appeared in outlets including The Washington Post, Salon, Slate, Southwest, eHarmony, Time Out, Atlas Obscura, JSTOR Daily, and the Rumpus. Cara is also the team leader of the AFTER Alcohol-Free Beverage Tasting Guide.
http://carastrickland.com