Sweet & Sober: A Guide to Lower Sugar Non-Alcoholic Drinks

With many individuals opting to cut back on or completely eliminate alcohol from their diets, the market for non-alcoholic beverages has seen a surge in innovation and creativity. One key aspect to consider when delving into the realm of non-alcoholic drinks is the presence of sugar and how it impacts both our health and our taste buds.

The Role of Sugar in Non-Alcoholic Drinks:

Sugar has long been a staple ingredient in many beverages, contributing not only to their sweetness but also to their overall flavour profile. However, with growing concerns about the negative effects of excessive sugar consumption on health, more and more people are seeking out lower sugar or sugar-free alternatives.

What is considered lower sugar in beverages? 

According to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), the general recommendation is to limit added sugars to no more than 5-10% of total daily calorie intake. For an average adult, this would be equivalent to around 30g or 7.5 teaspoons of sugar per day.

To put this into perspective, some common beverages and their approximate sugar content per 100ml include:

• Coca Cola: 10.6g of sugar 
• Tropicana Orange juice: 8.6g of sugar
• Milk: 4.7g of sugar

Exploring Lower Sugar Non-Alcoholic Options:

Fortunately, the market for lower sugar non-alcoholic drinks has expanded significantly in recent years, providing consumers with a wide array of choices to suit their preferences. Below are the top non-alcoholic drinks we recommend when you’re hoping to keep your sugar take low:

Hollow Leg Non-Alcoholic Wine

A delicious range of non-alcoholic wines including a delicious Cabernet and a refreshing Albarino, Irish company Hollow Leg is the perfect choice for those wanting to keep their sugar intake low. All varieties of Hollow Leg non-alcoholic wine fall below 1g of sugar per 100ml making them the lowest sugar non-alcoholic wine choice available that we’ve seen! 

Wild Life Botanicals

Wild Life Botanicals, a UK company, crafts premium non-alcoholic sparkling wine alternatives infused with health-enhancing botanical extracts. Their range are low in sugar (starting at 2g per 100ml) and offer wellness benefits due to ingredients like Lemon Balm, Rosemary, and Ashwagandha, known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, energy-boosting, and mood-enhancing properties.

Bax Botanics Botanical Spirit

Bax Botanics non-alcoholic botanical spirits offer a refreshing and flavourful alternative to traditional alcoholic beverages. Their two varieties - Sea Buckthorn and Lemon Verbena - have won awards for being ‘The Best Non-Alcoholic Gin’ but instead of being distilled with the traditional juniper, Bax is infused with a variety of delicious botanical extracts and blends. Best of all, there is absolutely no sugar making this a great option for those conscious of their sugar intake. 

Zeno Non-Alcoholic Wine

Zeno’s range of non-alcoholic wine offers a unique experience for the more discerning wine drinker who chooses to abstain from alcohol. Crafted with a mission to create wines of virtue with regional and varietal expression, Zeno gently liberates them from alcohol without compromising on taste or quality. Lower in sugar than so many other lower quality non-alcoholic wine, Zeno wines typically start around 3g per 100ml. 

Sentia Gaba Non-Alcoholic Spirit

Sentia is a revolutionary non-alcoholic drink designed by a team of botanists, innovators, and scientists in the UK. This extraordinary beverage features a carefully crafted blend of powerful, plant-based ingredients that have been scientifically proven to activate the neurotransmitter called 'GABA' in the brain creating that mellow wind-down feeling once imbibed. With only 1.7g of sugar per 100ml, this is also a good choice for those who are mindful of their sugar intake. 

Pentire Botanical Non-Alcoholic Spirit

Pentire non-alcoholic gin is a premium alcohol-free spirit crafted with a delicious blend of all-natural botanicals. It is designed to provide the complex flavours and aromatic experience of traditional gin without the alcohol content. Pentire is made using a blend of unique botanicals, such as rock samphire, sea rosemary, and sage, sourced from the Cornish coast and also has zero sugar, making it a great option for sugar-conscious folks looking for a gorgeous non-alcoholic spirit. 

Bemuse Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Drinks

Bemuse, a female founded b-corp UK company, offers a unique selection of non-alcoholic mead and honey wine, catering to consumers interested in the environment and the use of honey as an ingredient. These beverages provide a delightful alternative for those looking for an interesting and unique on-alcoholic option. They are also low in sugar with less than 3g per 100ml. 

Mahala Botanical Spirits

Available in two delicious varieties, Mahala Botanical Spirits are alcohol-free, triple distilled spirits originating from South Africa. Produced using nine hand-sourced botanicals infused under vacuum to extract their flavours, Mahala is distilled in custom-built stills for a premium quality product. The name "Mahala" derives from Zulu slang and means "free." Mahala Botanical Spirit lives up to its name by being free from sugar, alcohol, colourants, and artificial flavours making this a great option for anyone looking for high-quality drinks with no wellness downside. 

When exploring the world of non-alcoholic drinks, it is crucial to consider the role of sugar and its influence on our health and sensory experience. These wonderful suggestions allow you to make informed choices that support you to prioritise both well-being and flavour!