Alcohol-free gin: everything you need to know about low- and no-alcohol drinks

Here at Craft Gin Club, whilst it’s often gin o’clock, sometimes we gin-lovers just fancy a low - or no-alcohol cocktail.

If you want to balance your G&T or cocktail consumption with days - or months off - (Stoptober or Dry January, we’re looking at you) or simply want to spice up your Monday Night Mocktails, you don’t have to compromise on flavour!

We’re here to make sure everyone’s tipples regardless of alcohol are exciting on the taste front! And with many amazing no- and low-alcohol gins and spirits on the market, we’re not surprised they’ve surged in popularity…

When we say ‘gin and more to your door’ - we mean it! So we’re now offering a carefully curated shop edit with alcohol-free gin and low-alcohol spirits plus our one-off Dry January 0% box!

We’re a big fan of ALL high-quality spirits within our community - not just gin.

Yes, that’s why we already offer craft rum, liqueurs, aperitifs, mixers, and other spirits, such as vodka, on our shop!

We know our community of gin lovers are adventurous - that’s why Clubbers love the surprise each month of discovering and tasting all the exciting new snacks and drinks in their Gin of the Month boxes (many of which are rare and exclusive).

This brand-new “no and low” range is a way for Clubbers to experiment with even more tasty new tipples! Here’s everything you need to know…

What is alcohol-free gin?

Well, for starters, these drinks are not technically gin! These beverages are designed specifically to look and (as much as possible) taste very similar to gin, but with a very low, or no, alcohol content (ABV).

The legal definition of gin states that the liquid must contain an alcohol level (ABV) of at least 37.5%. This new type of drink usually has an ABV (that’s the alcohol level) of between 0 and 5%.

Therefore they can’t legally call themselves ‘gin’ - and this explains why you will notice that the names and labels of these alcohol-free spirits don’t refer to themselves in that way!

How is low-alcohol gin made?

Low- and no-ABV gins are made in a variety of ways. Many are now being produced by gin distillers, and use many of the same processes as are involved in the creation of real gin.

There are a few differences in how low- and no-alcohol ‘gins’ are produced, though.

Low-ABV (low-alcohol) beverages are often made using a classic distillation process, which is how full-strength gins are made. During this process, a neutral grain spirit — a plain alcohol — is added to a copper still along with a variety of botanicals.

Botanicals are all the different herbs, spices, fruits and other natural flavourings that craft distillers use to produce the unique flavour of their spirits (and is the reason why gin is such a marvellously versatile drink - the varieties of flavour are endless!).

It’s the use of these botanicals - particularly juniper, which is legally required to be the dominant flavour of gin - that helps the final product to taste similar to the real thing.

 So, one the base spirit and the botanicals have been added to the still, the liquid is heated, and the alcohol vapour created from the heating separates from the water, capturing the flavours of the botanicals as it moves through a series of tubes.

The vapour is then cooled and becomes liquid again; the distiller captures this liquid and dilutes it with water.

And here’s where the process changes from the usual: whereas a standard-strength gin will be diluted by about half, in these situations the liquid will be more heavily diluted by the distiller, by adding much more water, and this brings the overall alcohol content of the liquid much lower.

Voila! A low-alcohol ‘gin’ is born.

 How is alcohol-free ‘gin’ made?

Some no-alcohol spirits are made using the same process as for low-ABV ones: with a neutral grain spirit and botanicals being added to a still, which then go through multiple rounds of distillation to remove all the alcohol from the liquid.

However, others don’t use any base spirit at all, and instead rely on maceration, a process where botanicals are left to ‘soak’ in a liquid until they develop a flavour not dissimilar to real gin. These processes can also change the mouthfeel of a liquid, giving it a more ‘ginny’ character on the palate.

Why is alcohol-free gin so expensive?

We’ve all thought it: without the booze inside the bottle, why am I paying so much for this drink?! Well, there’s a clue to the answer in the production process we’ve explained above. When creating these alcohol-free alternatives to gin, many of the best craft producers are using all the same strict methods, equipment and high-quality ingredients that they would to create a bottle of real gin.

This is why it is probably worth spending a little bit more, and choosing beverages from a trusted craft gin distiller, when selecting your no- or low-ABV ‘gin’; hopefully, it’s a sign that your drink will have been crafted with real care and premium ingredients.

Is alcohol-free gin harmful?

Similarly to a full-ABV version, alcohol-free gin and low-alcohol drinks are best when enjoyed in moderation. As alcohol-free gin and low-alcohol drinks have less alcohol content, they are less damaging to your health in comparison to gin of a higher alcohol content.

What does alcohol-free gin taste like?

As with real gin, low- and no-ABV spirits vary widely in taste (with varying degrees of success!) Most do manage to capture the herbal, slightly citrus notes of a generic gin, and other brands, like Seedlip, have even developed different flavours to emulate the different styles of gin you find: spiced, floral and so on.

However, don’t go in expecting not to taste the difference between gin and their alcohol-free cousins; even apart from the lack of warmth from the alcohol, they are noticeably different drinks.

That said, many do make a very pleasant and refreshing alternative that’s the closest you’ll get to a real G&T!

How do you drink alcohol-free gin?

These beverages - particularly those developed by craft gin distillers - have often been produced with the same kind of attention as their alcohol alternatives, and are intended to be a like-for-like swap. So don’t overthink it! Get started with a gin and tonic or your favourite cocktail to take these liquor-free libations for a spin.

Why is alcohol-free gin becoming more popular? 

Alcohol-free gin or low-alcohol drinks are perfect for those who still want to enjoy a social drink without the sometimes negative effects associated with full ABV gin (when not enjoyed in moderation!).

Good, craft alcohol-free gin will still have all of the delicious characteristics (i.e. botanicals and flavours) of full ABV gin. Hooray!

With a growing movement of sober curiosity and being aware of enjoying alcohol in moderation, the good news is that quality craft distillers that we know and love (like Salcombe Distillery and Warners) are turning their hand to 0% or low-alcohol spirits that make for a refreshing alternative that is very close taste-wise to a real G&T!

Can you make alcohol-free gin at home?

It would be very difficult to make alcohol-free gin at home unless you happen to own a miniature still! This is because the process really relies on the distillation of an alcohol base spirit to the point where all the alcohol has evaporated.

You could try to replicate the ‘maceration’ method by experimenting with botanicals and booze-free liquid; but in all honesty, why bother?!

Instead, we recommend trying a low- or no-ABV from a well-established craft distiller.

What is the best no-alcohol gin?

If you’ve tried the likes of Gordon’s alcohol-free gin, or Tanqueray alcohol-free gin, then it’s time to try some craft alcohol-free gin!

All the craft alcohol-free drinks on the Craft Gin Club shop have gone through the same rigorous taste-testing selection process as the rest of our gins.

In fact, many of the bottles in our new range have been distilled by our trusted Family of Distillers, who bring their expertise and craftsmanship with gin to this exciting new range of botanical-based drinks.

Some of the brands we’re very excited to be stocking are Clean Co., Sabatini, Warners, Salcombe, Pentire, and Everleaf. As always, members get the best deals!