Dry January is over, but each year, we discover more and more non-alcoholic drinks that are worth enjoying all year long.
Whether we're talking about N/A beer and spirits, zero-proof cocktails or "mocktails," or CBD and THC alternatives, there are an increasing number of drinks available for those who are sober-curious. The best feature of these options is that they're not just an alternative reserved for teetotalers, as they can be enjoyed alongside alcoholic beverages as well. Hydrating between your booze is crucial, so why not reach for a St. Agrestis Phony Negroni or a refreshing BERO N/A beer in addition to some H2O while you're pacing yourself? Better still, you can mix many of these offerings into a cocktail of the N/A or alcoholic variety, giving them the added appeal of versatility.
But we're jumping ahead, so let's dive right in and talk about the best non-alcoholic drinks we discovered during Dry January!
ABV: 0%
Average Price: $30
Ritual Zero-Proof Rum, featuring 1-2g of sugar, is a rock-solid alternative to rum. Intended to be a 1:1 replacement in cocktails, this drink also works well on its own when chilled.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose on this imitation rum features some great vanillas and caramel tones, with some ginger candy, coconut, and a hint of molasses.
Palate: On the palate, this stuff almost passes for the real thing! Like most N/A alternatives to spirits, it lacks the viscous texture of well-made rum, but despite the overall dilute nature of the flavors, it is flavorful.
Finish: The impressive finish has a bit of black pepper and candied ginger, which helps it pass the test as an efficient rum alternative.
Bottom Line:
Ritual has been one of the more successful N/A spirits brands on the market, and in their entire lineup, we found that Ritual Zero Proof Rum does the best job of replicating its alcohol-based counterpart. Furthermore, it's just as enjoyable as its own thing, making it a cool option for drinking on the rocks and using as a mixer in rum-based mocktails.