How we picked and ranked
Every bottle here is sold on the brand's own US site, and every price, size and label fact comes from that site's product page or FAQ, checked on October 21, 2026. Sale prices are marked as sales. "Per serving" uses the brand's own serving count. Where we did the division ourselves, it says "our math." Prices exclude shipping.
We ranked on four things, in this order:
1. How clearly the label answers "how much alcohol?" A stated ABV beats "non-alcoholic" with no number. 2. Cost per serving, not just per bottle, since serving sizes run from 30 mL to 2 fl oz. 3. Calories and sugar as listed. 4. Whether it does the job its brand says it does, like a 1:1 swap in a classic cocktail.
We didn't rank on taste, because we won't invent tasting notes. The style descriptions are in each brand's own words, in quotes.
All five, compared
| Drink | Price at brand site (checked Oct 21, 2026) | Per serving | ABV as stated | Made how | Calories / sugar (per serving, as listed) | Style, in the brand's words | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ritual Whiskey Alternative | $29.95 sale price (listed down from $32.95), 750 mL | $1.79 (Ritual's figure, 17 servings) | Less than 0.5% ABV (Ritual FAQ) | Zero-proof: Ritual says it's "not an alcohol removed spirit" and "never has proof to begin with" | 5 calories; Ritual's page says 1 to 2 g sugar | "Notes of vanilla, oak, stone fruit and caramel, finishing with a pleasant heat" | Brand site |
| Seedlip Spice 94 | $31.99, 700 mL | $2.29 to $2.67 (our math: Seedlip says 12 to 14 cocktails a bottle) | Not listed (Seedlip calls it non-alcoholic) | Distilled non-alcoholic spirit; whether it ever contained alcohol isn't stated | "No calories" and "No sugar" | "A warm, aromatic blend of allspice & cardamom with citrus top notes to balance the long bitter finish" | Brand site |
| Lyre's Gin Alternative | $37.99, 700 mL | $1.63 (our math: Lyre's lists 23.3 servings of 30 mL) | <0.4% ABV | Zero-proof: ingredients start with water and glucose syrup, no dealcoholized base | 0 calories / 0 g sugar per 30 mL | "Bold juniper, citrus and floral notes. Dry, aromatic" | Brand site |
| Aplós Arise | $48, bottle size not listed | $3.69 (our math: Aplós lists about 13 servings of 2 fl oz) | 0% ABV | Zero-proof: filtered water, natural flavors and extracts, plus a blend that includes L-theanine and Panax ginseng | 5 calories / 0 g sugar per 2 fl oz | "A bold blend of citrus and herbal botanicals" | Brand site |
| Spiritless Kentucky 74 | $35.99, 700 mL | $3.00 (our math: Spiritless lists about 12 servings of 2 fl oz) | Not listed (Spiritless calls it non-alcoholic) | Alcohol-removed: "reverse distillation" separates and removes the ethanol from its oak distillate | 15 calories / 1 g sugar per 2 fl oz | "Familiar notes of caramel, vanilla, and oak" | Brand site |
The picks
Ritual Whiskey Alternative (750 mL)
Ritual is the brand we'd hand someone who wants their old cocktail recipes to keep working. Ritual says to swap its whiskey alternative 1:1 for whiskey in an Old Fashioned, Whiskey Sour or Manhattan, and it isn't meant to be sipped neat. Its page describes vanilla, oak, stone fruit and caramel with "a pleasant heat." It ranks first on the numbers: the lowest brand-stated cost per serving here ($1.79 at the sale price), 5 calories, and a clear answer on alcohol (less than 0.5% ABV, made without ever being alcoholic). The same sale price applies to Ritual's gin, agave, rum and apéritif alternatives. The whole set is also sold as the Bar Cart Bundle, covered in our gift guide.
Keep in mind: "less than 0.5%" isn't zero. If you avoid every trace, see the 0% pick below.
See it at Ritual Zero ProofSeedlip Spice 94 (700 mL)
Seedlip says it started the category, and Spice 94 is still the easiest bottle to like: allspice and cardamom with citrus on top and a long bitter finish. Pour about 2 oz over ice with tonic and an orange twist. Seedlip's page lists "No sugar" and "No calories" and says a 700 mL bottle makes 12 to 14 cocktails, so about $2.29 to $2.67 a drink by our math. What it doesn't list is an ABV figure. Seedlip calls it non-alcoholic, which in the US allows up to 0.5%. Seedlip ships free when you buy two or more bottles.
See it at SeedlipLyre's Gin Alternative (700 mL)
Lyre's makes a zero-proof version of almost every bottle on a back bar. The Gin Alternative is the one to start with: juniper, citrus and floral notes, built for a G&T. Lyre's lists 0 calories and 0 g sugar per 30 mL serving and 23.3 servings a bottle, which works out to about $1.63 a pour. That's the cheapest here, though Lyre's pours are smaller (30 mL) than Aplós's or Spiritless's (2 fl oz). Lyre's also prints its ABV: <0.4%. That's the honest number on a drink that's never been alcoholic, because some botanical extracts carry a trace.
When we checked: Lyre's store data showed the single bottle in stock, while the 6-bottle case showed "Notify Me When Available."
See it at Lyre'sAplós Arise
Aplós Arise is the only bottle in this comparison whose page states 0% ABV. It's citrus and herbal. Aplós's page says the bottle now has about 13 servings of 2 fl oz, at 5 calories and 0 g sugar each. It's also the priciest per serving here, about $3.69 by our math. Arise is made with a functional blend, and the ingredient list includes L-theanine, choline, moringa, Panax ginseng and vitamins B12 and D3. We list those as ingredients, not as a reason to buy it. If you're pregnant or take daily medication, check that list with your doctor first. Aplós says to pour 2 oz over ice or mix it as you like, and that an opened bottle keeps 60 days without refrigeration. Our Aplós Arise review.
When we checked: the product page showed an "Out of Stock" label while the store's product data listed it as available, so check the page before you plan around it.
See it at AplósSpiritless Kentucky 74 (700 mL)
Kentucky 74 is made the other way. Spiritless distills an oak distillate, then uses what it calls reverse distillation to separate out the ethanol and remove it. Spiritless says what's left "is non-alcoholic," but the page doesn't print an ABV. It describes caramel, vanilla and oak. Use it 1:1 in bourbon cocktails, or, as Spiritless suggests, half-and-half with real bourbon (which, obviously, isn't zero-proof any more). The label lists 15 calories and 1 g sugar per 2 fl oz.
See it at SpiritlessAlcohol-removed vs. zero-proof: which one if you're avoiding trace alcohol
Non-alcoholic spirits are made in two very different ways, and the label doesn't always tell you which.
Zero-proof (never alcoholic). These are built up from water, botanical extracts, sweeteners and acids, without ever being a spirit first. Ritual says so directly: its FAQ calls Ritual "not an 'alcohol removed' spirit" that "never has proof to begin with." Lyre's ingredient list starts with water and glucose syrup, and Aplós's starts with filtered water. Even so, never-alcoholic doesn't automatically mean 0.0%. Ritual states less than 0.5% ABV and Lyre's prints <0.4%, because natural extracts and flavorings can carry a trace.
Alcohol-removed. These start as a real distillate or fermented base, and the alcohol is then taken out. Spiritless says Kentucky 74's ethanol is separated out by reverse distillation and removed. That process gets closer to the original spirit's character. But unless the label prints a number, assume it may hold a trace.
If you need zero:
- Look for a printed 0% or 0.0%, not just "non-alcoholic." In this comparison, only Aplós Arise states 0%.
- "Non-alcoholic" on a US label allows up to 0.5% ABV.
- No ABV on the page? Email the brand and ask for the figure from their lab tests.
Our alcohol-free vs. non-alcoholic label guide covers the wording in more detail.
What we changed in this update
We last ranked this page by reputation. This update rebuilds it around label facts. Monday Zero Alcohol Gin is off the list: Monday's own site didn't load a store when we checked, and the one retailer listing we found carried a product description for a different drink, so we couldn't verify its facts. Ritual moved up to #1 on price per serving and ABV clarity. Lyre's is now ranked on its Gin Alternative specifically, and Spiritless Kentucky 74 is new, so the page covers the alcohol-removed side too. We also replaced Amazon search links with links straight to each brand's own product page.
Tips for better zero-proof cocktails
- Add back the weight. Zero-proof spirits have less body than the real thing. A little extra ice, a bar spoon of syrup, or a few dashes of non-alcoholic bitters help. (Classic bitters like Angostura are mostly alcohol, so skip them if you avoid every trace.)
- Measure. These are built to swap 1:1, so use your usual recipe and jigger.
- Keep opened bottles cold. Lyre's says to refrigerate after opening and finish within 12 weeks. Ritual notes that its bottles can turn cloudy; check each brand's storage advice.
Prefer it in a can?
If you'd rather skip the mixing, see the best alcohol-free wine, the best non-alcoholic beer, or our non-alcoholic gift guide for canned cocktails and spirit sets. Our own favorite ready-to-drink can is a sparkling kava. It's a different kind of drink, so read who should skip kava below before you try it. If you're in recovery, the botanical cans aren't for you; stick with the zero-proof bottles.
Who should skip non-alcoholic beer, wine and spirits
- Pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding? Talk to your doctor before you drink any of these. Many are labeled under 0.5% ABV, which means a trace of alcohol, not zero. A "pregnancy friendly" tag on a retailer's page isn't medical advice.
- In recovery from alcohol use? Talk to your doctor, counselor or sponsor first. Products under 0.5% ABV contain trace alcohol, and even 0.0% drinks are built to look, smell and taste like the drink you're stepping away from, which can be a trigger.
- If you've been told to avoid alcohol completely (for a medication, a liver condition or anything else), stick to products labeled 0.0% and check with your doctor or pharmacist.
- "Non-alcoholic" on a US label allows up to 0.5% ABV. If a product doesn't state its ABV, assume it may contain a trace.
- Many of these brands only sell to adults 21+.
Who should skip kava
- Kava drinks are for adults 21+. Skip them if you're under 21.
- Skip kava if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Skip kava if you have a liver condition or drink heavily. Kava has been linked to rare cases of serious liver injury.
- Skip it if you take antidepressants (including SSRIs), sedatives, sleep aids or medications that affect the liver, unless your doctor says it's OK.
- Rules on kava vary by place. Check your local rules before you buy.
- One can or shell is one serving. Don't mix kava with alcohol, and don't drive after drinking it.
These are general cautions, not medical advice. If you're unsure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Questions people ask
What is the best non-alcoholic spirit?
Ritual Zero Proof Whiskey Alternative is our best overall: $29.95 on sale (down from $32.95) at Ritual's site on Oct 21, 2026, $1.79 a serving by Ritual's math, 5 calories, and made to swap 1:1 in classic cocktails. Seedlip Spice 94 is the pick for no sugar and no calories.
Do non-alcoholic spirits contain any alcohol?
Some do, in trace amounts. Ritual states less than 0.5% ABV and Lyre's prints <0.4%. Aplós Arise states 0%. Seedlip and Spiritless call their bottles non-alcoholic without printing a number. In the US, non-alcoholic allows up to 0.5%.
What's the difference between alcohol-removed and zero-proof spirits?
Zero-proof spirits, like Ritual, Lyre's and Aplós, are built from water and botanicals and never contain alcohol to begin with. Alcohol-removed spirits, like Spiritless Kentucky 74, start as a distillate and have the ethanol taken out.
Which non-alcoholic spirit is cheapest per drink?
By our math, Lyre's Gin Alternative at about $1.63 per 30 mL serving ($37.99 for 23.3 servings), then Ritual at $1.79 per serving at its sale price. Prices checked Oct 21, 2026.
Can I drink non-alcoholic spirits if I'm pregnant or in recovery?
Talk to your doctor first. Many are under 0.5% ABV rather than zero, and even 0.0% bottles are made to taste like the drink you're avoiding. See who should skip them below.
