Aimee O'Keefe
15 Best Non-Alcoholic Gins | Man of Many
LIFESTYLE
From London Dry to a few more progressive flavour combinations, we’ve hit the bars and bottleshops to source the very best alcohol-free gins to put on your drinks list. We’re going to run through the pros and cons, so strap in and simmer down. Here is a list of the best non-alcoholic gins in Australia.
Best Non-Alcoholic Gins at a Glance
When it comes to Man of Many’s list of the best non-alcoholic gins money can buy, it goes without saying, that expertise is key. While we’ve tasted every gin on this list, we’ve also turned to the wider public for their overall ratings. Our list takes into account three major perspectives to determine the overall rating. In addition to our own opinions, we take into account reviews via alcohol retailer Dan Murphys and the Australian non-alcoholic drinks retailers Sans Drinks and Craft Zero. We then collate the information together and measure the gins via overall flavour profile, reader ratings and commercial availability, meaning one-off special editions aren’t likely to top the list.
How Man of Many Chose this List of Non-Alcoholic Gins
Best for: Craft spirits fans
1. Lyre’s Dry London Spirit
Best for: Flavoured non-alcoholic gin
2. Four Pillars Bandwagon
Best for: Value
3. Gordon’s Alcohol Free
Another long-time legend in the gin world, Tanqueray’s alcohol-free gin is one of the best non-alcoholic gins on the market right now. The gin is made with four perfectly balanced botanicals which give it a complex citrus style and juniper-led tasting profile. Tanqueray’s botanicals are individually immersed in water, heated, and then distilled to give a complex, delicious flavour.
4. Tanqueray Alcohol Free
Clean G is all about crafting delicious alternatives to alcoholic spirits and has spent years mastering the process, so it’s no surprise that their gin alternative is one of the best out there. A Gold Award Winner in the IWSC (International Wines and Spirits Competition) in 2021, the gin is a take on London Dry Gin, offering an intense juniper experience balanced with botanicals which are mixed with other ingredients to create the oh-so-tasty end result.
5. Clean G Gin Alternative
Ah, gin, the ever-so-trusted beverage that sits nicely at any time of the day. Now, you will never have to decline a good old G&T ever again, thanks to Monday. Monday is one of the best non-alcoholic gin and spirits that stocks up on all the good stuff without compromising on flavour. The gin is made from a blend of juniper, natural botanicals, citrus and spices and contains zero carbs, sugars and calories. If you’re on a diet, we recommend this gin.
6. Monday Non-Alcoholic Gin
Best for: Cocktails
7. John Ross The Herbarium Spirit
ALTD Spirits make alt-gin spirits that are unmistakably Australian and distinctly unique, taking out Australian non-alcoholic producer of the year in 2021 alongside a host of medals overseas. If this isn’t enough to persuade you, perhaps their gin’s unique flavour will – made with orange highlights, hints of roasted spices, native botanicals and dark roasted cacao husks, just to name a few. The best bit? Their gin is mindfully crafted, copper distilled and ethically sourced.
8. ALTD Spirits Golden Emperor
You can thank Seedlip for one of the best non-alcoholic gins in Australia right now. Seedlip Garden 108 offers a powerfully refreshing, herbal-infused take on traditional gin. The floral blend includes peas and hay with traditional garden herb distillates. To serve, they recommend adding it to tonic water and adding a garnish of a sugar snap pea or mint sprig – delish!
9. Seedlip Garden 108
Sydney’s northern beaches distillery Seadrift sure knows how to make a refreshing gin, and we can’t go past their classic non-alcoholic gin. They combine fresh coastal and sea botanicals with flavours like coriander, kaffir lime leaves and golden sea kelp, which is then distilled in traditional copper pot stills to create an intense, refreshing drink. We reckon a glass of this served on ice, or with tonic water would go down a treat with some fresh seafood or solo, for arvo drinks by the beach.
10. Seadrift Classic
The team at Sipsmith are self-proclaimed perfectionists when it comes to alcohol-free spirits. They believe it’s pretty easy to make gin, but to make delicious non-alcoholic gin requires skill, patience and craft. FreeGlider is what they’ve created, with flavours including eucalyptus, with spicy juniper undertones and zesty citrus balanced by a full-bodied capsicum heat, it is undeniably sippable.
11. Sipsmith FreeGlider
This is one of the healthiest non-alcoholic gins out there, and don’t worry, this doesn’t mean it compromises on flavour! The Clovendoe ZERO alcohol is a botanic distilled spirit that has been handcrafted in traditional copper pot stills. It is 100% sugar, gluten & carbohydrate-free, and contains no artificial sweeteners, flavours or additives. That means you can enjoy glass after glass and don’t have to worry about feeling guilty!
12. Clovendoe Distilling Co. Zero
Another Aussie legend in the non-alcoholic spirits world, the Yarra Valley-based Banks Botanicals’ unique spirit is a bold blend of five ingredients – each individually distilled to ensure that the flavour and essence of each botanical are captured in their purest form. You can expect cinnamon notes of cassia combined with the fresh high notes of lemon myrtle and lime. And, if you need a bit of extra temptation to buy a bottle, they give ten cents for every bottle sold to Bush Heritage Australia. How good.
13. Banks Botanicals Non-Alcoholic Spirit
The team at Srykk like to keep things simple, and the same goes with their ‘Not Gin.’ The gin boasts the same distilled flavour profile as a top-notch alcoholic one – think botanical hits of juniper, coriander, sage and basil. It is also 100% natural with no sugar, no fat and no artificial flavours, so it’s just as tasty as it is good for you.
14. Srykk Not Gin
If you’re looking for something a little bit different, try Pearsons Rhubarb & Ginger non-alcoholic gin. The gin is full of sharp rhubarb and warm ginger flavours, blended with juniper and cassia to create this smooth spirit experience. We especially love this gin for its classic gin flavour profile with a unique back-of-mouth warmth similar to traditional spirits – the perfect replacement.
15. Pearsons Rhubarb & Ginger Non-Alcoholic Gin
To get to really know non-alcoholic gin, it’s easiest to break it down into three parts.
What is Non-Alcoholic Gin?
The process of making non-alcoholic gin is very similar to alcoholic gin. Both rely on the same types of botanicals which are the fruity, floral, fragrant components that make up a gin such as juniper, (the one known for giving gin its ‘ginny’ taste) as well as fruit peels, spices and herbs.
How is Non-Alcoholic Gin Made?
It is safe to say, non-alcoholic gin is definitely better for you as it contains no alcohol – which means it is not a depressant and won’t result in drunk food at 3 am, hangovers and all the other crap that comes with drinking lots of alcohol. Non-alcoholic gin, while some still contain sugars that can add up to some extra calories, is the way to go if you want a healthier option to regular alcoholic gin.
Is Non-Alcoholic Gin Good for You?
Just like normal gin, non-alcoholic gin varies in terms of taste, according to Ginned Magazine. In saying that, most non-alcoholic gins resemble the same flavour as traditional gin – think herbal, slightly citrus notes with spiced, and floral overtones. You can expect to taste the lack of alcohol, however, as it is near impossible to emulate that alcoholic burn – but you can expect all the other great flavours you find in gins.
How Does Non-Alcoholic Gin Taste?
When it comes to buying non-alcoholic gin, not all options are the same. It’s important to put a few key things into consideration if you want to get the best out of your G&T.
Key Things to Consider for Non-Alcoholic Gins
Ready to ditch the booze, but not sure if gin is your best bet? The good news is that there are a host of great alternatives to non-alcoholic gin, so you can still get out and be social without delving into the strong stuff.
Alternatives to Alcohol-Free Gin
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