Blanc de Blanc refers to sparkling wines made in the Champagne region that only use white grapes – many champagnes use red Pinot Noir grapes – and this makes for an elegant and refined style of wine. This alcohol-free version is no different. Made using exclusively Chardonnay grapes, which are then aged briefly in oak barrels, this wine has a nose of orchard fruits and more green apples on the palate. Though missing the tell-tale toastiness of champagne, pleasing tasting notes are still present: it tastes special. Great to enjoy as a celebratory aperitif or when you just want to treat yourself. If you’re looking for an IPA that is completely devoid of alcohol, Brutal Brewing definitely has you covered. Using the vacuum distillation method, the company starts with Sweden’s best-selling ale – which starts off as 5.8% -and removes all traces of alcohol to produce a 0% IPA. Richard adds: “Product quality in the nolo (no and low alcohol) category is mixed to say the least. Some smaller brands are great tasting whilst sadly some of the recent launches do not help create the right consumer perceptions of the sector. We definitely don’t ‘part-ferment’ and we never boil the original great tasting alcohol drink. We strive to have multi-dimensional drinks that deliver on taste and experience. The alcohol-free beer market is crowded, but the good news is there are so many really great no and low alcohol beers out there. Of all the alcohol replacements, the beer makers are the ones who have really nailed their craft, and this example from the brilliant Big Drop Brewing is a prime offering. An unashamedly citrus-heavy IPA, this 0.5% beer is bursting with crisp twists of grapefruit and zest alongside a bright, hoppy character that adds up to a refreshing, slightly sharp beer – ideal for designated drivers and booze-free drinkers alike. The best non-alcoholic drinks you can buy in 2023 1. Big Drop Brewing Paradiso Citra IPA: The best non-alcoholic beer

Smashed Cider - A wonderful alcohol-free cider from Smashed!

At only 61 calories a can, it also makes for a healthier option than your standard beer, and it happens to be gluten-free, too. The fresh and fruity profile makes this a winner for lunchtime non-boozing and enjoying a beer or two in the day without the afternoon slump. The Paradiso won the World’s Best award in the No and Low category at the World Beer Awards 2021 and it’s all too easy to see why: this is a proper beer, just without the booze, and we bet you can’t tell. In comparison to the other craft cider brands out there, DRYNKS is a relatively new addition to the non alcoholic cider world, being established in 2017. Out of all of the brands mentioned so far, it is also the most unique in that it exclusively focuses on developing alcohol-free lagers and ciders. The brand offers two flavours – Smashed Cider, an alternative to apple cider, and Smashed Berry, a mixed fruits cider alternative. We tried two of Drynks’ range: Smashed Citrus and Smashed Cider. The former is a hoppy, lemony beer that comes in at just 99 calories, while the latter is a crisp cider at only 84 calories. In both cases you have the choice of a bottle or a can. There is also a more traditional beer in the form of Smashed Hops and the company is also bringing out the fruitier Smashed Berry. Dochus Smokey Isle

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While you might think cider without alcohol is just apple juice, don’t be misled as it has a very different taste! Non-alcoholic ciders are not as sweet and aim to give drinkers the same distinguishable tangy notes that the traditional drink has. Alcohol-free cider also tends to be lower in calories, making it a favourable option for those looking out for their health or their weight. How is it made? A unique, crisp and lightly carbonated fruit cider is pure refreshment with a perfect balance of sweetness, sharpness and fruitiness. In general, No-Alcohol & Low-Alcohol drinks are not damaging to your health when enjoyed in moderation. This is particularly true when compared to their alcoholic counterparts; opting for the No or Low version of a drink will always be less damaging to your health than choosing the full-ABV version. 4. Is there non-alcoholic hard cider? We liked the discernible bitter orange flavour, which was reminiscent of a natural, zesty marmalade, and the fact that it’s free from preservatives, flavourings, artificial colours and sweeteners. Serve perfectly chilled over ice with a slice of blood orange or a shaving of rhubarb for extra points. And if orange isn’t your bag then the Floral Fizz and Spicy Ginger Fizz are equally delightful.

Smashed Cider – DRYNKS Unlimited

Alcohol Free Cider is a refreshing and delicious alternative to traditional alcoholic cider. Made with the same high-quality ingredients and careful craftsmanship, this cider offers all of the flavour and aroma of traditional cider without the alcohol content. Perfect for those who prefer not to drink alcohol, are designated drivers, or simply want to enjoy a refreshing and tasty beverage without the side effects. Available in a variety of flavours, Alcohol Free Cider is a great choice for any occasion. Richard’s vision: “Our mission is to create a portfolio of alcohol-free brands that deliver an ethically sourced, authentic, natural taste that will let drinkers forget that they aren’t drinking something alcoholic. We are the only UK drinks business to invest in a state-of-the-art cool vacuumed distillation kit that gently dealcoholises full-strength drinks. This produces delicious alcohol-free drinks that taste just as good as a quality alcoholic version.”The CVD process is designed to gently remove alcohol from premium craft drinks without affecting the flavour and aromas in the original, fully alcoholic beer and cider. The method takes longer to produce alcohol-free drinks – up to eight days to make a bottle of Smashed Cider or Lager. The range is vegan-friendly and gluten-free where possible, with each product boasting less than 100 calories. Mark Harrison, Brand Partner at DRYNKS Unlimited said: “DRYNKS Unlimited is an incredibly exciting and ambitious business which has positioned itself as a leader in the alcohol-free category with its innovative dealcoholisation process. The Smashed brand stands out like a beacon on shelf and has immense potential and I want to help Richard and his team develop a creative brand ambition to see them deliver real excitement to consumers.” Richard Clark, Founder and MD of Drynks Unlimited said: “The last 0.5% of alcohol is the hardest part to remove. That’s why the majority of ‘alcohol-free’ drinks on the market are low alcohol (0.5% or above), very few are truly 0%. This market-leading technology means we are the first British-based drinks company to produce alcohol-free drinks that deliver exceptional taste and an authentic experience. It would be easy to think that no alcohol-free drink could turn the head of a committed whisky drinker, but Spirits of Virtue is out to prove otherwise with its Dochus range.

Cider in 2023 - FindThisBest (UK) Top 10 Best Alcohol Free Cider in 2023 - FindThisBest (UK)

We may be all about the 0% but we are 100% focused on creating a collection of alcohol-free drinks. In comparison, non-alcoholic cider has appeared a lot more recently, as the low and no alcohol sector has witnessed a significant boom in popularity and innovation. Coinciding with the pandemic, between 2020 and 2022 the number of consumers who have started to look out for their health has increased, and consequently many want to cut down on drinking. As a result, a several brands have developed what is some of the best alcohol-free cider on the UK market. The best products in the non alcoholic cider category The classics While alcoholic and alcohol-free ciders are different drinks, they are both made using a similar process. Like beer, both types of cider are fermented. To turn traditional cider into a 0.0% version, it then goes through a dealcoholisation process, where alcohol is removed from the drink in a manner that doesn’t hinder the traditional taste or mouthfeel of cider that consumers still desire. When did non-alcoholic cider first appear on the market?was the year CBD found its way into almost every product in existence, and alcohol-free beer has not escaped the treatment, thanks to the efforts of Hop & Hemp. The company’s beer range uses traditional alcohol-free creation methods to produce a range with no more than 0.5% alcohol, but with the added bonus of 8mg of CBD per bottle. The result is a range that provides the flavour of beer without the hangover – and with the potential of additional de-stressing benefits. Alcohol free cider has about half the calories of a typical alcoholic cider. So, give alcohol free cider a try and let us know what you think. 2. Is alcohol-free cider really alcohol-free?

Smashed Cider Bottle - Alcohol Free Drinks

Cider is a hugely popular drink in the UK – so much so, it is drunk here more than anywhere else in the world. Research from 2019 shows an average UK household brings home approximately 33 litres of cider every year. It isn’t hard to see why the drink is consumed all year round. The delicious sweetness from apples and the sharpness from the alcohol, rounded off with a light fizz is the perfect accompaniment to any beer garden soirée or a picnic in the park. Spiced or mulled versions have also become well-liked during the festive period, and a lighter but just as sweet alternative to mulled wine. The past few years have also seen an explosion in non-alcoholic options for people who still want to enjoy the taste and experience of the cider without the effects of alcohol. While the alcohol free category still tends to be dominated by beer alternatives, alcohol free cider is also getting its chance to shine in the UK, allowing people who are trying to cut down on their consumption or follow a teetotal lifestyle to still have an enjoyable cider drinking experience. What is it? Smashed Lager is a refreshing pale gold lager beer with a clean taste which perfectly balances with hint of barley malt, complex aromatic floral notes and a mild hoppy bitterness. Available in 330ml can and bottle as well as a 660ml sharing bottle. Since we built the UK’s first and currently only cool vacuum distill in Robinson’s Brewery, we’ve been busy producing what we believe to be some of the best truly alcohol-free drinks on the market,” ​said Richard Clark, founder and managing director of Drynks Unlimited. Wignac is another cider company which has established itself in the European and British alcohol-free cider market more recently. Based in the dense forest region of the Belgian Ardennes, it aims to revive the local orchards and bring new jobs to the region. Wignac prides itself on producing organic drinks, containing no added sugar, no sulphites, and being naturally gluten-free. Its alcohol-free concoction is given the quirky name, La Lady Squirrel.

Thank you!

Three Spirit is doing great things in the booze-free drinks arena and really helping to change the way consumers think about drinking. Its range of plant-based elixirs are formulated to suit situations or moods where you might otherwise reach for an alcoholic beverage. We love this Nightcap iteration, which uses indulgent natural ingredients to help you relax and unwind of an evening.