With your food-based essentials in place, it’s time to add specialized non-alcoholic spirits, aperitifs, bitters, wines, beers, and mixers to your bar cart. These products bring intensity, complexity, and convenience to zero-proof cocktails, solving the challenge of creating depth, texture, and balance without alcohol. Whether you’re mixing for yourself or hosting, these bottles and cans expand the range of flavors and styles you can achieve.
Some expectation setting before we dive in:
- Non-alcoholic spirits will not taste exactly like their alcoholic counterparts.
- Many NA spirits, aperitifs, and wines take just as much time, skill, and high-quality ingredients to produce as traditional alcohol, so prices are often similar.
- The rapidly growing non-alcoholic beverage market includes everything from outstanding products to mediocre or poor-quality options. One disappointing bottle doesn’t mean the category isn’t worth exploring.
- Taste is subjective. Experiment with different brands, styles, and mixers to find the non-alcoholic products you enjoy most.
1. NA Spirits Analogues
Gin, whiskey, rum, and tequila-inspired spirits form the backbone of a non-alcoholic cocktail program. NA spirits like Spiritless, Ish or Monday provide botanical depth, bitterness, and structure - the same roles alcohol plays in traditional drinks.
Use them as your drink’s main flavor base, then layer on a complementary ingredient (like citrus or syrup) and finish with something that adds complexity, such as bitters or an herbal element.
Since NA spirits tend to have a lighter body and intensity than their alcoholic counterparts, you may need to slightly increase the spirit or decrease the mixer to keep the drink balanced.
What to know:
- Not a 1:1 replacement for full-proof spirits; increase by 0.5–1 oz for balanced flavor.
- Many contain added sweeteners; adjust other sweet elements accordingly.
- Some use capsaicin extract, adding noticeable heat.
- Taste and adjust as you go—standard cocktail ratios may not apply.
- Less shelf-stable than liquor; refrigerate after opening and follow storage instructions.
2. Aperitifs & Amaro Alternatives
Bitter herbal blends like Pathfinder or Wilfred’s are your go-to for slow sipping and complex flavor. Bitterness encourages mindful drinking, stimulates digestion, and adds a sophisticated edge. Swap them into spirit-forward drinks where you’d normally use amaro or vermouth, or blend with sparkling water for a light aperitif.
What to know:
- A great way to add complexity and “adult” flavors.
- Not everyone enjoys bitterness; adjust to your audience.
- Naturally suited for spritz-style drinks due to their bittersweet balance.
3. Functional Spirits
Adaptogen and nootropic-infused options like Aplós or Dromme offer more than flavor. They bring mood-boosting or focus-enhancing effects. Whether you’re winding down or finding your flow, these products add both purpose and personality to a drink. Try pairing them with citrus and sparkling water for an easy highball, or shake into an evening sipper.
What to know:
- Choose a product that matches the mood or effect you want, whether calming, energizing, or focusing.
- Check for potential interactions with health conditions or medications.
- Share ingredients with guests so they can make informed choices.
- Functional spirits are among the most unique products in the NA category, offering distinct flavors and purposes.
4. NA Bitters
Glycerin-based bitters, like those from All The Bitter, are the seasoning of the cocktail world. Using a small amount can transform the balance and depth of your non-alcoholic cocktail. Since NA bitters tend to be milder than alcohol-based ones, you can use them more liberally by layering flavor into sodas, spritzers, and NA Old Fashioneds.
What to know:
- Use more than you would with full-proof bitters.
- An easy way to add quick complexity.
- Glycerin adds sweetness; adjust other sweet ingredients accordingly.
5. Artisan Mixers
Artisan mixers are specialty blends designed for cocktails and mocktails that go beyond simple fruit juice. They often combine herbs, spices, and multiple fruits to create a more layered flavor profile. Examples include kombuchas, sparkling teas, and traditional cocktail mixers. They bring versatility and complexity, making them a quick way to add flavor and volume to a drink without extensive prep.
What to Know:
- More complex than juice, and not as concentrated sweetness as syrup.
- Check sweetness levels and adjust other ingredients to keep balance.
- Typically needs refrigeration after opening.
6. Ready-to-Drink (RTDs)
Canned mocktails make effortless entertaining possible and act as a to-go NA bar experience. They’re consistent, portable, and often balanced right out of the can. Serve them as-is, or dress them up with a citrus twist, bitters, or fresh herbs.
What to Know:
- Ideal for low- or no-effort NA cocktails.
- Many NA spirit brands offer their own RTDs - explore your favorites!
- Can be used as mixers in more complex drinks.
7. NA Wines & Proxies
Dealcoholized wines and wine proxies bring tannins, acidity, and food-pairing potential to the NA space. Use them as the base for sangria-style mocktails, use them as the core of a spritz style drink with an NA aperitif, or serve them alongside a meal to keep the dining ritual intact.
What to Know:
- Non-alcoholic wines are dealcoholized through methods like vacuum distillation or spinning cone.
- “Wine proxies” are used in place of NA wine, but never contained alcohol. They are inspired by wine flavors using tea and botanicals.
- The dealcoholization can remove or harm the delicate flavors of wine. Some brands add additional ingredients in to rebalance, while other brands allow the dealcoholized wine to stand on it's own.
8. NA Beer
From crisp lagers to aromatic IPAs, NA beers deliver savory bitterness and floral or citrus hop notes. They’re ideal for beer-based mocktails like shandies or micheladas - just add citrus juice, a pinch of spice, or an herbal syrup for something new.
What to know:
- NA beer is the top-selling segment in the NA market.
- Brewing techniques produce flavors close to alcoholic beer.
- Keep well-chilled for best aroma and taste.
Final Sip
A well-stocked NA product bar cart isn’t about replacing alcohol. It’s about expanding your beverage repertoire for every occasion and every guest. With the right products, a little know-how, and a touch of creativity, your zero-proof cocktails can stand confidently alongside the best full-proof drinks.
Raise a glass to mindful sipping! Get 15% off your order at The Zero Proof with this link (discount applied automatically at checkout)
Note: this is an affiliate link. If you decide to purchase, I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you—which helps support my small business and keep these resources going.
Want more?
- Attend a public class - virtually or in-person in the Bay Area
- Host a private class- virtually or in-person in the Bay Area
- Book a corporate workshop for your team
- Join the Mocktail School for a deep dive into the art and science of non-alcoholic mixology
