As someone who doesn’t drink alcohol, I’m the first to admit that a mocktail doesn’t always sound appetizing. I tend to picture a brightly colored, extra-sweet, super-fruity drink with a paper umbrella sticking out of it, which is the last thing I want to carry around at a dinner party when everyone else is sipping sophisticated cocktails. I used to think I didn’t have many other options (soda and water aren’t any better), but then I discovered the world of canned mocktails. And before you ask — no, they’re not fancy juice, and they’re not soda’s cousin.
“Canned mocktails are thoughtfully crafted beverages,” says Sean Goldsmith, founder of The Zero Proof. “If anything, you have to be more thoughtful about ingredients and how you’re making these beverages because there’s a bigger focus on taste when there’s no alcohol.” (Ed’s note: The inclusion of products sold by The Zero Proof in this article was made independently of Goldsmith).
To find the absolute best canned mocktails on the market, I coordinated a taste test among the NBC Select staff. Most testers came in with low expectations, but left thoroughly impressed — a few said the canned mocktails tasted so similar to alcohol that they had to double check the label.
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How we tested canned mocktails
The canned mocktail industry is rapidly expanding, and new brands are constantly popping up. To narrow down which options our team tested, I first consulted two experts who specialize in nonalcoholic beverages: Goldsmith and Brianda Gonzalez, founder and CEO of The New Bar. (Ed’s note: The inclusion of products sold by The New Bar in this article was made independently of Gonzalez). I talked to them about what canned mocktails are, what makes some better than others and what to consider while tasting different varieties. Goldsmith and Gonzalez also recommended a few of their favorite canned mocktail brands, and I researched other popular options.
Ultimately, I was left with seven canned mocktail brands for our taste test. Companies sent us courtesy samples, and each provided at least two different flavors — in many cases, we tried brands’ entire line of canned mocktails, some of which consisted of up to seven flavors.
Once I gathered all the canned mocktails, the NBC Select team spent a day testing and evaluating them. We tried them at room temperature and chilled over ice. Testers filled out an evaluation form for each beverage they drank. After trying the canned mocktails in-office, testers took their favorite options home to pair with meals, serve to guests and bring to gatherings. They provided additional feedback for this phase of testing.
What we considered while testing
We evaluated the canned mocktails based on the below criteria:
- Mimicry: Some canned mocktails aim to mimic the taste, essence and body of cocktails, like margaritas, mojitos, negronis and gin and tonics. They’ll never be exact, but they can come surprisingly close — a few we tested even gave us that burning sensation in our throats you’d expect from whiskey, vodka or tequila. We judged the canned mocktails we tested by how well they imitated the type of cocktail listed on their packaging. If a canned mocktail wasn’t trying to emulate a cocktail, and rather served as a unique alternative, we judged it purely by flavor.
- Flavor: Testers described what ingredients they tasted most while drinking the canned mocktails, and how intense the overall flavor was, be it fruity, floral, herby or bitter.
- Carbonation: All of the canned mocktails we tested were bubbly. The addition of carbon dioxide, which creates the bubbles, helps carry the drink’s scents, flavors and aromas to your nose and tongue, experts told me. Testers noted whether the bubbles added to, subtracted from or didn’t impact the drinking experience.
- Sip-ability: Cocktails are meant to be sipped, not guzzled. With that in mind, we judged the canned mocktails we tested on sip-ability — could you nurse it over time and feel satisfied, or were you tempted to slurp it up in seconds?
- Packaging: “Does this mocktail taste like it came from a can?” was a question we continuously asked ourselves. If a canned mocktail left us feeling like we drank something stale or artificial, we took points off. We aimed to find options that were just as refreshing as what a mixologist would whip up behind a bar.
- Availability: “The number one reason the canned mocktail category isn’t bigger is availability,” says Goldsmith. “When you talk to consumers, they say they still can’t find the drinks they want in the stores where they shop.” With this in mind, we researched where each canned mocktail is sold and ultimately only recommended options that are easy to buy at big box retailers and grocery stores nationwide, as well as online from stores like Amazon and Target.
The best canned mocktails, tested and reviewed
After evaluating 32 canned mocktails from seven brands, testers ranked the 10 options below the highest across criteria.
Best whiskey mocktail
After their first sip of Free AF’s Whiskey Ginger, almost every tester audibly said, “Wow.” Its smoky, zesty flavor makes you quickly forget that you’re drinking a mocktail, as does its scent. “Just smelling it made me gingerly take a sip instead of taking a big chug like a soda,” says NBC Select reporter Harry Rabinowitz. The canned mocktail, which has a little kick, also gives you a warm, tingly, fiery feeling in your throat, just like how whiskey burns when it goes down, says NBC Select editorial projects manager Rebecca Rodriguez.
NBC Select SEO editor Nikki Brown has been a fan of Free AF’s Whiskey Ginger for a while, so she wasn’t surprised by testers’ positive reactions. “This is one of the first non-alcoholic drinks to truly impress me with its near-identical taste to the drink it’s emulating,” she says. “A whiskey ginger used to be my go-to beverage because it’s the perfect blend of ingredients, in my opinion — there’s just something about the combination of sugar and ginger that does it for me. Free AF has perfected the formula. At this point, it’s the only non-alcoholic drink I would actually spend money on, probably for a dinner party or family gathering.”
Best mojito
Naked Life’s Mojito totally won me over, and I’m officially a repeat customer. Drinking it makes me feel like I’m sitting poolside or beachside in warm, sunny weather, and its flavors are balanced well, so I’m never overwhelmed by them. I get just enough mint, lime and sugar, as well as a tiny hint of something that resembles rum. I prefer to drink it freezing cold, and I pair it with most foods if I’m drinking it during dinner. I always keep a few cans in my refrigerator to serve to friends, too. Many of my guests now request one when they come over, especially on a weeknight when they want to sip something while we watch a movie or chat, but not feel hungover for work the next day.
Best paloma
“A lot of people drink to feel something, like to feel connected, relaxed or energized,” says Gonzalez. Some brands aim for their canned mocktails to have this effect without alcohol by adding plant-based ingredients that can help you unwind, feel energized or take the edge off, like guayusa berries, ashwagandha, Lion’s mane mushrooms, she says. Recess is one of the most well-known “functional” canned mocktail brands, and after trying all its flavors, our testers agree that the Paloma is their favorite.
“I’m a big fan of anything grapefruit flavored, and this mocktail definitely has a strong, fruity taste,” says NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio. “As far as mocktails go, it doesn’t taste exactly like a paloma with alcohol, but it’s pretty darn close. I can definitely see myself drinking this during brunch with friends or a night out.” The Recess Paloma has 10 grams of naturally occurring caffeine, according to the brand.
Best mimosa
Mimosas are one of the easiest cocktails to prepare — you add orange juice and sparkling wine to a glass and call it a day. But to make the drink even simpler in its nonalcoholic state, buy Mingle Mocktail’s canned, pre-mixed mimosas. They have a light, fresh, sweet orange flavor with a hint of elderflower, says Godio, but they don’t lean juicy to maintain their status as a cocktail alternative. Our testers agree that this canned mocktail is an ideal beverage to serve alongside standard mimosas at brunch for those looking for a booze-free option.
Best gin and tonic
Rodriguez served as our gin and tonic expert during testing — it’s one of her favorite drinks, and she has high standards for a nonalcoholic alternative. After a few sips of Naked Life’s Classic G&T, she was certain that nothing else could come quite as close to the real thing. “I was iffy on trying this non-alcoholic G&T — I worried that it would taste mostly like watered-down tonic. However, I was pleasantly surprised to the point where I had to triple check there was actually no gin in this mocktail,” says Rodriguez. “The tonic is perfectly balanced with whatever pseudo-gin concoction they’ve put together, and the carbonation isn’t overpowering as can sometimes be the case with canned drinks. I’d definitely pick up a case of these as a non-alcoholic option for whenever I’m hosting friends or going to a party.” The drink has notes of lemon, orange, cinchona (a flowering plant) and juniper berry, making it very crisp and snappy, with a splash of bitterness to balance everything out.
Best margaritas
A few of the brands we tested put their own spin on nonalcoholic margaritas, and when it came down to crowning one a winner, our testers unanimously voted in favor of Free AF. We loved the brand’s classic, mango and chili flavors equally, so we’re not mad that they’re only sold as a variety pack — in fact, it’s the perfect bundle to bring to or serve at parties and holiday celebrations. Each type of Free AF margarita is made with something that tastes convincingly close to tequila, which stops you from taking big gulps, and there aren’t too many bubbles, so it feels like a standard cocktail, says Rodriguez. The mango and chili varieties also have a little kick at the end that even the most spice-averse person could handle. The variety pack comes with a Paloma mocktail (50 cals. per can), too.
Best mocktail base
Lyre’s Classico Sparkling is imitating Prosecco, so it’s a nonalcoholic wine, not a mocktail. But it can serve as the base of a mocktail, according to our testers — many of them plan to keep it at home to make mimosas, bellinis and spritzes, especially for hosting summertime picnics and brunches at home. “The Classico Sparkling is so light, perfect, and refreshing,” says Godio. “It still tastes like an alcoholic beverage, but not a very strong one. I would drink this all the time.” Rabinowitz added that the beverage, which has fruity apple, pear, peach and lime notes, isn’t overly sweet and doesn’t have an aftertaste.
Best spritz
Best apéritif
Figlia’s Fiore Frizzante is also an apéritif, but not a particularly intense one. “It has a very light, neutral flavor, and it’s smooth, not sharp at all,” says Rabinowitz. “It smells stronger than it tastes. Still, I’d only drink one of these at a time.” NBC commerce associate social media editor Caitlin Cusack says Figlia’s Fiore Frizzante is a canned mocktail she’d want to drink when she’s starting to wind down and plans to have a relaxing evening. It’s a blend of ginger, citrus and berry, as well as chamomile and rose, according to the brand.
Best dark and stormy alternative
“As a person who used to enjoy the occasional dark and stormy, this gave me that same feeling without my brain telling the difference,” says NBC commerce video producer Josh Rios. It has some sharpness and heat, so don’t say we didn’t warn you, and its flavor gets its tangy, sour notes from sumac. Ghia’s dry beverage is definitely something we’d reserve for the evening, but if you’re looking for a little fire mid-day, crack open a can.
What are canned mocktails?
Most canned mocktails are brands’ nonalcoholic, ready-to-drink takes on traditional cocktails. But unlike nonalcoholic wine and spirits, which are often de-alcoholised versions of the real thing, canned mocktails are built from the ground up, says Gonzalez. Manufacturers use plant-based ingredients like botanicals, extracts, juices, spices and florals to create a beverage that replicates a flavor profile people are familiar with, like a paloma or a margarita.
Some canned mocktails, however, don’t attempt to be spirit-free versions of classic cocktails. Instead, their flavor profiles stand on their own, making them unique alternatives you drink like you would a cocktail, says Gonzalez.
Why are canned mocktails so popular?
Over the past few years, the nonalcoholic beverage industry as a whole has experienced huge growth, says Goldsmith. And although they are a piece of the pie, it’s not due to those who’ve adopted a completely sober lifestyle. The most demand is coming from people who are sober curious — that means they’re being more conscious of and intentional about their alcohol consumption, and experimenting with cutting back.
“People are still drinking, but they’re drinking less,” says Goldsmith. In fact, a record-low 54% of Americans say they consume alcohol, according to a recent Gallup poll. For example, when people go out, they’ll have one mocktail for every cocktail, a strategy called zebra striping. Or they’ll limit their glass of wine with dinner to only Fridays and Saturdays. “Maybe not everyone wants to be sober, but everybody wants to feel a bit better,” says Gonzalez. “That’s making the nonalcoholic beverages category more inclusive, and it’s appealing to a broader group of people.”
As more people focus on consuming alcohol in moderation, they’re searching for delicious, sophisticated, accessible, convenient and “better for you” booze-free alternatives that allow them to enjoy the ritual of drinking without the negative health effects. Canned mocktails check those boxes. Plus, they don’t have the same high barrier to entry that people commonly associate with nonalcoholic wines and spirits, says Gonzalez.
“There’s often so much education that goes into what a nonalcoholic wine is, and how to use nonalcoholic spirits to make mixed drinks,” she says. “But there’s less questions around how to enjoy nonalcoholic, ready-to-drink cocktails. You just crack one open, drink it and know whether you like it within 10 seconds. It requires minimal effort.”
Canned mocktails lend themselves better to experimentation, too, making potential customers less hesitant to add them to their cart. “You don’t want to spend $20 or $30 on a bottle of nonalcoholic wine you might not finish, but when it’s a $4 or $5 single-serve, canned nonalcoholic mocktail, you’re not taking a huge bet,” says Gonzalez. These beverages are also ideal to serve at parties and holiday gatherings, and pack in a cooler for tailgates, picnics and concerts.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Sean Goldsmith is the founder of The Zero Proof. ” (Ed’s note: The inclusion of products sold by The Zero Proof in this article was made independently of Goldsmith).
- Brianda Gonzalez is the founder and CEO of The New Bar. ” (Ed’s note: The inclusion of products sold by The New Bar in this article was made independently of Gonzalez).
Why trust NBC Select?
I’m a reporter at NBC Select who has written about food and beverages for five years, including pantry staples like olive oil, chocolate, salt, honey and hot sauce. I also wrote NBC Select’s guides to nonalcoholic wine and spirits. I don’t drink alcohol, so I’m constantly trying nonalcoholic beverages beyond Dry January and Sober October, and talking to experts like dry bar owners, nonalcoholic retailers and brand founders. To write this article, I coordinated a canned mocktail taste test among the NBC Select staff, who evaluated each option against specific criteria.
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