The Absolute Best Non-Alcoholic Spirits to Try at Your Next Celebration

Mocktails might not sound like the most exciting beverages, but hear us out: We’re way beyond the time when making a booze-free beverage meant adding a splash of juice to a glass of seltzer. Now, thanks to the best non-alcoholic spirits, which either mimic your favorite liquors or add something entirely new to the mix, you don’t have to drink alcohol to enjoy a world-class cocktail.

Beyond flavor, there are a whole host of reasons you might want to give up drinking, at least for a little bit. Although a pour of wine can be healthy here and there, the long-term effects of alcohol can take a toll as the years go by.

Of course, alcohol isn’t inherently bad, but it’s linked to some pretty scary stuff. It can suppress the deepest stage of sleep, keeping you from feeling fully rested; hinder your immune system, leaving you with fewer defenses against viruses; and increase your risk of stroke, among other drawbacks. Drinking can even heighten your breast cancer risk. On the other end of the spectrum, giving up alcohol can improve your mental health, particularly for women, per a 2019 study. People who stop drinking for a month are also likely to lose weight.

That’s where alcohol-free spirits come in: By replacing the booze you’d normally add to a cocktail, they allow you to make your favorite drinks (and experiment with new ones) without any of the drawbacks of drinking. Many brands are so good that you might find yourself craving them instead of the real thing. (Waking up feeling sharper is just the cherry on top.)

Whether you’re taking Dry January for a spin or giving booze the boot for good, read on to find the best non-alcoholic spirits to add to your home bar.