Zero%* booze, 100% flavour – these 11 top picks hit the spot.
If you YOLO’d your way through the holidays or are simply a little non-alc curious, you’re probably already across Febfast. Much like Dry July and Ocsober, this fundraising initiative run by Lifeline encourages participants to cut out alcohol for the month and, in turn, raise funds for vital support services. It’s a great cause, and one that’s easier than ever to support with a pretty delightful smorgasbord of genuinely delicious zero%* bevs out there.
So, whether you’re hopping on the Febfast train or simply keen to include a few non-alcs in your rotation, we’ve rounded up 11 of the latest standout wines, beers and spirits to help you do just that.
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Non-alcoholic* wine and wine alternatives
Are you a part of the Doom Juice fan club? This fun, natural wine is popping up everywhere, from the trendiest bars and clubs to pubs and sharehouse shin-digs. So, if you’re considering taking a month off your usual drop or are keen to try something new, you don’t need to give up the juice. ZZVINO (AKA Zero Zero Vino) from the Doom Juice crew is a <0.5% wine alternative that’s made from grapes and goes big on cherry, blackberry and blueberry flavours. A blend of shiraz and chardonnay, this sparkling red is vibrant, complex and super drinkable. Made in NSW using local produce, it’s also Organic Certified and Sustainable Wine Australia Certified. Take it to your next breakfast rave, lunch with mates or whatever you have going on.
2. Kylie Minogue 0% Sparkling Blanc
Good news: Kylie’s gone and made the perfect zero%* drop for all your dance-floor needs. We know you’re ‘feeling us – because you like it like this’. Bangers aside, this is your non-alcoholic DF partner: jasmine notes, a refined finish and all the sparkle to keep things charming, just like our Queen Kylie. And if all that ‘Spinning Around’ and padam-ing has left you peckish, this cheeky little number goes with anything, but we love it with a prawn cocktail.
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3. Paradox Zero Alc Pinot Noir
Our hot take? Pinot noir: not for the d-floor (especially if you’re an overly enthusiastic dancer). Think of the stains! The Paradox Zero Alc Pinot Noir is one for the table or the couch. Even though the alcohol has been removed, this pinot noir is still big on flavour – think lively strawberry and red cherry aromas, with a hit of spice and juicy red-berry goodness. In short, this is a delightful drink. It’s perfect for barbecues, sipping alongside big mushroomy pastas, or even the humble sausage sandy.
4. Non 1 Salted Raspberry & Chamomile
Chances are you’ve clocked NON’s distinctive bottles in your wanderings and are curious about what’s inside. Well friends, now’s the perfect time to grab our new fave flavour – this Salted Raspberry & Chamomile gem. With tannin, fruit, salinity and acidity, this tea-based drink brings all the depth and complexity that you might not expect from zero-alc wines. Expect salty sweetness with a floral twist. It’s elevated, interesting, and the kind of bottle you’ll want chilling in the fridge all through Feb – and beyond. Pair this with a citrusy salad or a share plate of cured meats and let NON do the work.
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Non-alcoholic* beers
5. Pirate Life South Coast Ultra Low
Non- or low-alc beers are everywhere these days – you’re spoiled for excellent choice. Pirate Life’s South Coast Ultra Low is crisp, hazy and bursting with citrusy goodness, making it the perfect refreshment after a scorcher of a day. Chill them, crack them and serve them up with some good ol’ Smith’s Crinkle Cuts for a beaut pairing.
Heaps Normal has been doing the zero-alc rounds for a while now and are the go-to cans to stock in most of Australia’s trendiest bars and pubs. And for good reason. Heaps Normal Lager actually tastes like… well, lager. Crisp, clean and so convincingly lager-y you’d swear it was the real deal. Pair this tinnie with your local fish and chippies, maybe even a cheeky deep-fried seafood stick, and you’re officially on your way to flavour town.
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7. Bridge Road Brewers Free Time Alcohol Free Pale Ale
Bursting with vibrant, juicy hop aromas, low bitterness, and a clean finish, Bridge Road Brewer’s Free Time Pale Ale is full-bodied with a subtle complexity, all while being ridiculously smooth to sip. Folks in our comments section on the product page love it, and we reckon you will too. But don’t just take our word for it: Free Time snagged gold for Non-Alcoholic Malt Beverage – Best NoLo at the 2022 Australian International Beer Awards. Pretty impressive, huh? Serve it ice-cold next to a big plate of chicken-salted hot chips and let your tastebuds do the judging.
Non-alcoholic* spirits
8. Gordon’s 0% Alcohol Free Gin
Zero-alc* wine and beer are all well and good, but what if you’re missing a bit of juniper in your life? What if, like the rest of Instagram, you need to update the grid with your latest dirty ‘tini – complete with a precariously balanced skewer of olives? Good news: Gordon’s 0% has got you. It has all that bold, juniper-forward punch that you expect from Gordon’s, just without the booze. Serve it in your favourite gin cocktail, whether that’s a Gimlet, Martini (0% vermouth optional) or the classic G&T. Don’t forget the big bowl or skewer of olives. You know, for the ‘gram.
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9. Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Bandwagon Non Alcoholic
Welcome aboard the Four Pillars bandwagon. Bloody Shiraz Bandwagon takes their cult classic Bloody Shiraz Gin, strips out the booze and cranks up the flavour. Super-concentrated shiraz meets a medley of botanicals – from Tasmanian pepperberry leaf to zesty citrus twists – creating a purple-hued, slightly sweet zero-alc spirit that plays just like the OG. G&T it, Gin & Tonica it, or sip it over ice. Pair it with your favourite snack or a bit of Mersey Valley cheese, and consider your evening sorted.
10. Lyre’s Bourbon Alternative
Prefer to walk on the wild-west side? We have the bourbon sub for you. Lyre’s Bourbon Alternative is bloody delish. On the nose, it’s honeyed sweetness, a hint of warm spice, and a waft of charred, cedary oak. On the palate, waves of vanilla and toasted nuts mingle with subtle herbal notes, keeping things interesting all the way to a long, mellow finish. Mix it up in your fave classic bourbon cocktail, like a Boulevardier or an Old Fashioned and be pleasantly surprised. Pair with a generous mound of salted peanuts and yee-haw, we’re back in Kentucky.
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11. Palermo Rosso Non Alcoholic Spirit
Mi scusi! Summer’s not over, and neither is aperitivo hour. If you’re dreaming of sun-soaked Italian-inspired afternoons and a Spritz or Negroni in hand, living la dolce vita, you’re in luck – Palermo Rosso Non-Alcoholic Aperitivo is here. Herbs and botanicals strut their stuff, vermouth sneaks in for a cheeky cameo, and rich, spicy undertones linger – all without a drop of liquor. Pop it over ice with a squeeze of lemon, mix it into a Spritz with Kylie’s sparkling wine and soda, or keep it classic with ice and a good splash of soda – orange wedge essential. Serve it alongside a plate of antipasti in the sun, and just like that, you’re molto bene.
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