Best Non-Alcoholic Gin for Non-Alcoholic Cocktail Hour

I’ve tasted a lot of non-alcoholic spirits—for this job and because I have been pregnant twice—and my major takeaway is that the best non-alcoholic spirits are often non-alcoholic gin. That’s because gin is infused with botanicals like juniper and coriander, so it’s easy (relatively speaking; I imagine distilling anything is difficult) for distillers to simply infuse a non-alcoholic base with those signature flavors. And yet, there are still some subpar non-alcoholic gins out there. So I set out to find the best non-alcoholic gin. 

As a gin lover, I was looking for notes of juniper (it didn’t have to be super pungent but it did have to be there), maybe a citrusy element, and a touch of heat somewhere to approximate the feeling of alcohol—a lot of brands use capsicum (aka the family of plants that includes chili peppers) extract to achieve that spice. And I gave bonus points to spirits that had some heft to them so they could stand up to other ingredients in a cocktail. I sipped them all straight, but some are meant for cocktail mixing. I didn’t hold it against a brand if their N/A gin didn’t taste perfect on its own—but I was impressed by the ones that did. 

Whether you’re cutting down on booze or cutting it out all together, but still craving a classic G&T, here are the best non-alcoholic gins you can buy. (And if you’re more interested in the darker stuff, here’s our ranking of the best non-alcoholic whiskey.) 

The following article contains affiliate links that may generate a small commission to us when you make a purchase through the link. Learn more about how we work with affiliates here.

Best for N/A Negronis

Ritual Zero Proof Gin Alternative

Ritual

There’s a lot of holiday spice on the end of Ritual’s gin alternative and some definite heat that makes it one of the best non-alcoholic gins to use in mocktails with big, punchy flavors. This is my pick for a fauxgroni (a non-alcoholic negroni). My go-to N/A Campari substitute is Sanbitter. Mix a couple of ounces of that with an ounce of this non-alcoholic gin, garnish with a twist of orange, and you are practically in Venice.  

Credit: Liv Averett / Ritual

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best for N/A Gin & Juice

CleanCo Clean G

Amazon

Missing Tanqueray? Here’s the best non-alcoholic Tanqueray approximation I tasted. It is very limey and very junipery and the bottle even kinda looks like a Tanqueray bottle. It’s quite attractive. It has a touch of sweetness, which makes it easy to sip on its own on the rocks with a squeeze of lime. But it would also be great shaken with some grapefruit juice (maybe the best grapefruit juice from our taste test). If you really want to be fancy, throw a sprig of rosemary or a basil leaf into the mix.

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best for N/A Gin & Sodas

Cut Above Gin

Cut Above

This non-alcoholic gin is very sophisticated—starting with the bottling. It’s just beautiful and it has a glass stopper. Lovely. The N/A gin itself is very light and clean with a faint forest-y smell—like the redwoods. It is light on the juniper and has just a hint of a burn on the finish to let you know that you’re drinking “alcohol.” Because it’s so delicate, I wouldn’t recommend overwhelming it with too much flavor. Mix it with soda water for a simple but refreshing mocktail. 

Credit: Liv Averett / Cut Above

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best for N/A Martinis

Amsterdam Damrak Virgin

Amazon

As a Martini obsessive, this was my go-to non-alcoholic gin while I was pregnant. It’s slightly tart with a touch of spice and a zesty finish. It has just the right amount of juniper flavor to balance out the tart, lemony quality. Stir it with ice and garnish with a twist of lemon or some olives (the best Martini olives, of course) for a delicious non-alcoholic Dry Martini.

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best for N/A Gin & Tonics

Free Spirits the Spirit of Gin

Free Spirits

Free Spirits non-alcoholic gin smells like a Gin and Tonic. And it tastes like a flat Gin and Tonic. So, it’s a no-brainer that this is the best non-alcoholic gin for a Gin and Tonic. The spice on the end is powerful. It lingers. You can mix this with high-quality tonic water without worrying that it will get lost in the bubbles.

Credit: Liv Averett / Free Spirits

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

DHOS

Drizly

Another gorgeous bottle, DHOS is also a gorgeous non-alcoholic gin. It is very juniper forward, so you definitely scratch that gin itch. And it finishes with a very nice burn in the back of your throat. It’s perfect for a bright, crisp cocktail like a Gin Buck or a Bee’s Knees—or even a Martini with a twist. It’s also pretty darn affordable at around $20. It’s the best non-alcoholic gin for everyday drinking, which you can do—because there’s no alcohol in it! So, drink up!

Credit: Liv Averett / Drizly

Rating:

9/10

Sporks