Nutrition Products Food and Beverages The 7 Best Non-Alcoholic Beverages, According to a Dietitian Spindrift Sparkling Water is our dietitian's top pick By Anne Cook Carroll, MS, RD Anne Cook Carroll, MS, RD Anne Cook Carroll is a Registered Dietitian with a master's degree in Clinical Nutrition from New York University. She is a clinical dietitian at an inpatient hospital and also works in private practice. Learn about our editorial process Updated on May 12, 2022 Fact checked Verywell Fit content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Marley Hall Fact checked by Marley Hall LinkedIn Marley Hall is a writer and fact checker who is certified in clinical and translational research. Her work has been published in medical journals in the field of surgery, and she has received numerous awards for publication in education. Learn about our editorial process Print We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Whether you're part of the sober-curious community or just simply looking to reduce your alcohol intake, consuming more non-alcoholic beverages can help with weight management and reduce the risk of chronic conditions, including liver, kidney, and heart disease. The best non-alcoholic drinks appeal to your tastebuds and are low in sugar. Reviewed & Approved Our top pick is the Spindrift Sparkling Water because it's refreshing, low-calorie, and comes in many different flavors. We also love Bubly Sparkling Water because it's affordable and has 0 calories and 0 grams of sugar. From sparkling water to kombucha to non-alcoholic spirits and wines, there are many different beverages to choose from. Though your choice will largely depend on your tastebuds, also consider what occasion you'll be drinking for. We researched various options, considering flavor, nutritional value, occasion, availability, and price. Here are the best non-alcoholic beverages on the market, according to a dietitian. In This Article Expand Our Picks What to Look for What Experts Say Why Trust Verywell Fit? Best Overall: Spindrift Sparkling Water 4.8 Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon We like Spindrift Sparkling Water because it's refreshing, low in calories, and comes in many flavors. Each can contains sparkling water and fresh-squeezed fruit. Try the Cucumber flavor for a spa vibe at home or the Half & Half for a healthy spin on the classic half lemonade, half iced tea. Pour it in a glass over ice and serve with a slice of fresh fruit to match the drink's flavor profile. These drinks contain less than 15 calories and less than 3 grams of sugar, making them a perfect addition to your hydration line-up. Spindrift offers 11 fruit-forward flavors ranging from berries to citrus and tropical. They are all gluten-free, non-GMO, kosher, and Whole30 Approved. Reviewers note that the variety pack makes it easy to try each flavor and see what you like and also mention that it's great for wine nights and other occasions. Best Budget-Friendly: Bubly Sparkling Water Courtesy of Walmart View On Amazon View On Walmart If you like your sparkling water extra effervescent, Bubly is your pick. As the name suggests, these drinks are packed with flavorful bubbles that satisfy the taste buds. Unlike alcohol, sparkling water is hydrating, so swapping out a boozy beverage for Bubly will support your fluid intake goals and leave you feeling refreshed. All Bubly drinks contain 0 calories and 0 grams of sugar. The ingredients are carbonated water and natural flavors. With 15 different flavor varieties, you're sure to find one that suits your mood. Best Kombucha: Better Booch Kombucha Organic, Variety Pack 4.8 Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon Looking for added health benefits from your non-alcoholic beverage? Grab a can of Better Booch, an organic, non-GMO, craft-brewed kombucha. Kombucha is a carbonated, sweet, and tangy beverage that contains live, active cultures called probiotics, which are considered “good” bacteria that help promote a healthy digestive system. All kombucha contains trace amounts of alcohol from the fermentation process, but Better Booch does not exceed the 0.5 percent ABV (Alcohol By Volume) alcohol cut-off, making it a non-alcoholic beverage. With 50 calories and 10 grams of sugar per 16-ounce can, this makes for a great probiotic-packed, refreshing drink. Organic herbs and botanicals are used to create their unique nine flavors. The Best Kombuchas, According to a Dietitian Best Sparkling Herbal Tonic: Sunwink Herbal Tonic Courtesy of Sunwink View On FreshDirect View On Sunwink.com Sunwink is the cold, sparkling alternative to your hot, brewed herbal tea. Sunwink takes a plant-forward approach, delivering thoughtfully crafted herbal tonics with optimal flavor and targeted health benefits. Each flavor offers a unique blend of antioxidant-packed ingredients, including ginger root, hibiscus, and cinnamon. They offer five flavors made with purified water, herbs, lemon juice, and a hint of maple syrup: Immunity Berry, Detox Ginger, Lemon-Rose Uplift, Hibiscus Mint Unwind, and Turmeric Recover. Depending on the flavor, calories range from 30 to 50 calories and 6 to 11 grams of sugar. The 7 Best Water Flavorings of 2022, According to a Dietitian Best Non-Alcoholic Spirit: SEEDLIP Garden 108 Non-Alcoholic Spirit Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Williams-Sonoma Seedlip takes non-alcoholic distilling to the next level, appealing to the sophisticated palate looking to elevate their drink without the booze. Founder Ben Branson takes his approach from The Art of Distillation, published in 1651 by physician John French, who wrote about optimizing botanical flavors in their purest form. These non-alcoholic spirit blends are best enjoyed in mixed drinks—head to their website for inspiring ways to mix up a cocktail. They offer three botanical blends, including Grove, Spice, and Garden, made from natural distilled botanicals. All Seedlip beverages have 0 calories and 0 grams of sugar. Best Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Wine: TÖST Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Beverage Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Betterrhodes.com View On Food52 Toast your next celebratory event with “TOST,” a non-alcoholic sparkling wine with white tea and ginger extracts developed by culinary experts. The flavor profile is a crisp citrus that is subtly sweet with a dry finish. Sip this on its own in a champagne flute or use it as a base for a hand-crafted cocktail like a mimosa—just mix TOST with some fresh-squeezed orange juice. Ingredients include carbonated water, organic blue agave, white tea white cranberry concentrate, natural ginger extract, natural citrus extract, citric acid, and quinine. Quinine is a natural substance that comes from the bark of cinchona trees in the Andes mountains, which yields the bitter taste found in tonic water. TOST contains 45 calories and 11 grams of sugar per 8 fluid ounces. The 5 Best Probiotics of 2022, According to a GI Dietitian Best Non-Alcoholic Beer: Athletic Brewing Company Run Wild Non-Alcoholic IPA Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Drizly View On FreshDirect Alcohol is dehydrating and can inhibit muscle repair and growth. Athletes, look no further than Athletic Brewing Co., a small batch brewing company offering non-alcoholic craft beers to support a healthy, active lifestyle. They offer a range of beer styles, including Golden, IPA, Lager, and Stout, to suit all the beer drinkers cravings. Try out their membership subscription for limited batch offerings, seasonal varieties, and custom monthly beer deliveries. There are currently four brews on the market, including their award-winning Run Wild IPA, Upside Dawn Golden Ale, Cerveza Atletica Light Copper, All Out Stout, and Reed’s Red IPA. These beers run between 60 to 100 calories and 0 grams of sugar, and all contain less than the 0.5 percent ABV cut-off. Final Verdict Spindrift is our top-pick for a hydrating, sparking alternative to an alcoholic beverage. If you feel like you want a more elevated “mocktail,” go for Seedlip. What to Look for in Non-Alcoholic Beverages Flavor Profile: Choose a drink with a flavor profile that suits your taste buds. If you like sweet, go with a drink that has fresh-squeezed tropical fruit flavors like pineapple. Like things tarter? Select a beverage with fruit flavors like berries or citrus. If you like a bitter element, find drinks crafted with herbs and botanical blends. Sugar: Be sure to check the label for the sugar content. Look for drinks that ideally have less than 10 grams of sugar per serving. Occasion: If you are looking for an everyday grab-and-go drink, choose a pre-blended beverage in a can like one of the sparkling water or kombucha beverages. Looking to swap out your festive champagne for a non-alcoholic alternative? Try a non-alcoholic sparkling wine. If you want to get creative and experiment in the kitchen, try a non-alcoholic spirit blend and savor the flavor. Frequently Asked Questions What is a non-alcoholic malt beverage? A malt beverage is a fermented drink that comes from a grain, seed, or barley plant. The “malting” process occurs when these grain mixtures are left to sprout before processing. Non-alcoholic beers are considered non-alcoholic malt beverages, as they contain the same flavor profiles but have a shorter fermentation time that yields an Alcohol By Volume (ABV) of less than 0.5 percent. What is a good non-alcoholic drink to order at a bar? Top recommendations at a bar include anything bubbly and on ice. Try sparkling water with a splash of grapefruit and lime. Some bars and restaurants have a designated section on their menu for non-alcoholic beverages—experiment with something you’ve never tried before to keep things interesting. What Experts Say "Cutting back on the booze is a great way to promote weight loss, especially if you are drinking frequently and aren't seeing the results you want. According to the USDA, one 5-ounce glass of wine contains approximately 125 calories. If you have a glass of wine four nights per week, that's an incremental 500 calories per week, which can add up over time."—Eliza Savage, MS, RD, CDN Why Trust Verywell Fit? As a Registered Dietitian, Anne Carroll, MS, RD uses her clinical expertise to cut through marketing claims and get down to the science. These are all products that she has researched, vetted, and would recommend to her clients in private practice and incorporate into her own diet. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get one simple hack every day to make your life healthier. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 3 Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Alcohol Use and Your Health. Kechagia M, Basoulis D, Konstantopoulou S, et al. Health benefits of probiotics: a review. ISRN Nutrition. 2013;2013:1-7. doi:10.5402/2013/481651 USDA. FoodData Central. Wine, table, white.