Alcohol-free
Fine alcohol-free drinks: raising a glass differently
Not drinking alcohol should never mean a warm glass of orange juice. What I offer for alcohol-free evenings that are just as thoughtfully put together as any other.
By Lara — published on 2026-08-04
More and more people come through my door looking for something to open in the evening, to share, without alcohol. Not a soft drink: a real drink, with length on the palate and a bubble that holds.
What I look for in an alcohol-free bottle
Acidity, bitterness and real structure on the palate. Without alcohol, structure is what's most often missing — and sugar is what rushes in to fill the gap.
So I look first at the sugar content, then at the base ingredient: grape, tea, hops, botanicals, fermented fruit.
The families worth knowing
Dealcoholised sparkling grape drinks, close to a sparkling wine. Kombuchas and fermented teas, tangier and more herbal. Sparkling infusions and alcohol-free aperitifs, more bitter, perfect at the start of a meal.
Serving it like a wine
A wine glass rather than a soft-drink glass, served well chilled, the bottle opened at the table. Half the effect comes from the gesture.
At the aperitif, a nicely dry alcohol-free sparkling pairs with the same things as a crémant: aged cheese, charcuterie, roasted vegetables.
Also a very good gift
For a pregnant woman, a designated driver, someone who's stopped drinking, or simply someone curious: giving a lovely alcohol-free bottle is giving the same care as a great wine.
Frequently asked questions
- Is an alcohol-free drink really 0%?
- It depends: some are 0.0%, while others that are dealcoholised can show traces up to 0.5%. It's stated on the label and matters in certain situations.
- Do these bottles keep like wine?
- They're kept chilled and generally drunk younger; once opened, they'll keep for a day or two in the fridge.
- What should I serve at a mixed aperitif, with and without alcohol?
- A nicely dry alcohol-free sparkling and a light natural wine: the two are similar enough that no one feels left out.
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