ZERO HEROES

Alcohol-free drinks have come a long way in the last few years. These are some of our favourites

Seedlip Drinks

Prices vary, seedlipdrinks.com Seedlip was the world’s first non-alcoholic spirit, and their growing range of herbal blends taste (almost) like the real deal, making it easy to cut back on alcohol without missing out on flavour. The key is to build your drink like you would a decent G&T: think quality tonic, plenty of ice and lemon or lime, plus a mint or cucumber garnish.

Punchy Drinks ‘Golden Hour’ Soft Punch

£12 (6 cans), punchydrinks.com

Fed up at the lack of genuinely tasty alcohol-free beers? Meet Punchy Drinks, the company on a mission to bring non-alcoholic drinks to a level playing field with their alcoholic counterparts. Its Golden Hour – with blood orange, aromatic bitters and cardamom – is low in sugar, high in flavour and a Great Taste award winner to boot. Serve chilled over ice, for the perfect post-work wind-down.

Sea Arch Coastal Juniper

£24.95 (75cl bottle), seaarchdrinks.com

Worth buying for the bottle alone, but with plenty of flavour to match, Sea Arch is the standout spirit we tested. It’s made up of six distinct and distilled botanicals – sea kelp, juniper berries, cardamom, angelica root, cucumber, grapefruit and blood orange

– to deliver a crisp, fruity taste that pairs perfectly with your favourite tonic. Sugar- and calorie-free, Sea Arch is as good for you as it is for the planet, with each bottle designed with solvent-free paint, each box made from recycled cardboard, and not a single-use plastic in sight.

Infinite Session Pale Ale

£20 (12 cans), infinitesession.com ‘Alcohol Free beer that actually tastes like beer’ is the tagline for Infinite Session’s range of pale ales and lagers. The emphasis is on flavour, and it shows: the American Pale Ale is a World Beer Award UK Winner. For just 36 calories per 330ml can, it’s possible to enjoy a beer that tastes like your favourite, without compromising your intention to cut back on the booze.

Caleño Light & Zesty

£18 (50cl), calenodrinks.com

Sweet and tangy, Caleño’s tropical infusion makes a pleasant change from gin alternatives to provide a taste that’s not easily compared. With pineapple, mango and citrus fruit flavours, it makes for a nice after-dinner palate-cleanser.