What Can I Drink Instead of Wine? 10 Sophisticated Alternatives

What Can I Drink Instead of Wine?

If you normally reach for wine but want to reduce or avoid alcohol, you don't have to settle for water, juice or another conventional soft drink.

The alcohol-free drinks market has developed considerably, with more products designed to recreate the complexity, ritual and sophistication associated with an evening drink.

This is important because choosing an alternative to wine isn't necessarily about finding something that tastes exactly like wine. You might instead want something with bitterness, botanicals, spice, acidity or complexity that gives you the same sense of occasion.

For example, you could try:

• An alcohol-free aperitif
• A botanical drink
• An alcohol-free wine
• A sophisticated spritz
• A sparkling drink
• An alcohol-free cocktail
• A ready-to-drink non-alcoholic serve

The UK alcohol-free and low-alcohol category is becoming increasingly established. Drinkaware's 2025 research found that 44% of UK drinkers were using alcohol-free or low-alcohol drinks to moderate their alcohol intake, demonstrating that these drinks are increasingly being used as substitutes rather than simply as soft drinks.

What Are the Best Alternatives to Wine?

The best alternative depends on why you usually drink wine.

If you enjoy wine because it accompanies food, look for something complex and balanced rather than overly sweet. If you enjoy the ritual of pouring a drink before dinner, an aperitif or spritz could be a better choice. If you enjoy red wine's deeper flavours, a bitter or spiced drink may provide a more satisfying alternative.

Here are some of the most useful categories to consider.

1. Alcohol-Free Aperitifs

An alcohol-free aperitif can be an excellent choice before dinner or whenever you would normally pour a glass of wine.

A good aperitif should offer more complexity than a standard soft drink, often combining bitter, herbal, citrus or botanical flavours.

ANON Bittersweet Aperitif, for example, combines botanicals with orange, citrus and herbal notes. It is designed for spritzes, mixing and non-alcoholic cocktails, making it particularly versatile when you want something with a more grown-up flavour profile.

Serve it over ice with soda water or tonic and an orange garnish for a simple alternative to a pre-dinner glass of wine.

2. Botanical Drinks

Botanical drinks are another option if you want complexity without simply trying to replicate wine.

Botanicals can introduce herbal, citrus, floral and bitter notes, creating a drink that feels layered and interesting.

This can be particularly appealing if your favourite part of drinking wine is the flavour experience rather than the alcohol itself.

3. Alcohol-Free Wine

For some people, the most obvious answer is still alcohol-free wine.

These products are designed to provide a wine-like experience without the alcohol. They can be particularly useful when you want something that looks and behaves like wine at the dinner table.

However, alcohol-free wine isn't for everyone.

If you have tried it and found it too sweet, too similar to grape juice or simply not what you wanted, there are plenty of alternatives. You don't have to find a one-for-one replacement for wine.

4. Alcohol-Free Spritzes

A spritz can give you the refreshing, social and celebratory qualities of wine without relying on alcohol.

Think ice, a large glass, an interesting alcohol-free base, sparkling water and a garnish.

ANON's English Garden Spritz is a ready-to-drink option combining summer fruits, cucumber, mint, orange, apple and strawberry. It is designed to provide a refreshing alternative to alcohol and can be enjoyed when you want something easy and ready to serve.

5. Alcohol-Free Cocktails

If what you really want is an evening drink with flavour and presentation, an alcohol-free cocktail can be more satisfying than a conventional soft drink.

A non-alcoholic Negroni-style serve, for example, provides bitterness, citrus and herbal notes that work particularly well before or alongside food.

ANON No Groni combines non-alcoholic gin, red vermouth and Bittersweet Aperitif, with bitter orange, juniper and aromatic herbal notes. It can be served over ice with a slice of fresh orange.

What Do You Drink When Everyone Else Is Drinking Wine?

This is one of the biggest advantages of choosing a sophisticated alcohol-free drink: you don't have to sit out of the occasion simply because you aren't drinking wine.



At a dinner party, restaurant or celebration, you can still have something interesting in your glass while everyone else has wine.

An alcohol-free aperitif, spritz or botanical drink can fit naturally into the occasion.

The key is choosing something that feels like a proper drink rather than an afterthought.

You can also match the style of drink to the occasion:

• Dinner: Try something dry, bitter, herbal or citrus-led.
• Aperitif hour: Choose a bitter aperitif or spritz.
• Celebration: Try a sparkling or cocktail-style serve.
• BBQ: Choose something refreshing and fruity.
• Dinner party: Look for a drink with enough complexity to work alongside food.

What Tastes Most Like Wine?

If you specifically want something that tastes like wine, an alcohol-free wine is the obvious starting point.

But there is another way to approach the question.

Instead of asking “What tastes exactly like wine?”, ask “What do I enjoy about wine?”

Perhaps you like:

• Dry flavours
• Bitterness
• Acidity
• Citrus
• Herbal notes
• Fruit
• Complexity
• A drink that works with food

Once you identify what you enjoy, you can choose an alternative that delivers those characteristics without necessarily attempting to imitate wine.

This opens the door to alcohol-free aperitifs, botanical drinks and sophisticated spritzes.

What If I Don't Like Alcohol-Free Wine?

You don't have to like alcohol-free wine to enjoy alcohol-free drinks.

In fact, many people looking for alternatives to wine may prefer something completely different.

If wine alternatives have felt too sweet or too similar to grape juice, consider moving towards bitter, botanical or herbal drinks.

ANON's Bittersweet Aperitif is designed around complex bitter, citrus and herbal flavours rather than simply trying to replicate wine. It can be served over ice, topped with soda or tonic and finished with orange.

The result is a drink that has its own identity rather than being a substitute that tries too hard to be something else.

What Goes Well With Food?

One of the biggest reasons people choose wine is because it works so naturally with food.

But an alcohol-free drink can also complement a meal.

For food pairing, look for balance rather than simply matching flavours.

With lighter dishes

Citrus, fruit and botanical flavours can work well with salads, seafood and lighter dishes.

With richer dishes

Bitter, herbal or spiced drinks can provide contrast against richer flavours.

With spicy food

Refreshing, citrus-led and fruity drinks can help balance heat and spice.

With cheese

Look for drinks with bitterness, acidity or fruit rather than something that is overwhelmingly sweet.

The right choice depends on the dish, but the principle is simple: choose a drink that complements the food rather than competing with it.

What Are Some Less-Sweet Options?

If you are searching for an alternative to wine because you don't want another sugary drink, look for products built around bitterness, herbs, citrus and botanicals.

This is where alcohol-free aperitifs can be particularly useful.

A bitter profile can create the complexity associated with an adult drink without relying entirely on sweetness.

ANON Bittersweet Aperitif is built around botanicals including wormwood, vermouth, orange, gentian and quassia, creating a complex profile with citrus and herbal notes.

Always check individual product information if sugar or calorie content is important to you, as alcohol-free does not automatically mean low in sugar or calories. Drinkaware also highlights that alcohol-free drinks are not automatically a healthier or low-calorie choice.

What to Drink Instead of Alcohol?

If the question is broader than wine, there are even more possibilities.

You could replace your usual alcoholic drink with:

• An alcohol-free aperitif
• A botanical spirit
• An alcohol-free cocktail
• A spritz
• An alcohol-free beer
• An alcohol-free wine
• A spiced non-alcoholic drink
• A sophisticated soft drink

The important thing is to choose something that suits the situation.

If you enjoy the ritual of making a drink, choose something designed for mixing. If you want convenience, choose a ready-to-drink option. If food is involved, look for complexity and balance.

The best alcohol-free alternative isn't necessarily the one that tastes most like your old drink. It's the one you genuinely enjoy drinking.

Which ANON Drink Should I Choose?

If you are new to alcohol-free drinks, ANON offers several different flavour profiles depending on what you are looking for.



For a bitter, citrus-led aperitif:
Try ANON Bittersweet Aperitif, designed for spritzes, mixing and non-alcoholic Negronis.

For a ready-to-drink cocktail-style option:
Try ANON No Groni, combining non-alcoholic gin, red vermouth and Bittersweet Aperitif with bitter orange, juniper and aromatic herbs.

For something fruity and refreshing:
Try ANON English Garden or English Garden Spritz, combining flavours including cucumber, mint, orange, apple, strawberry and summer fruits.

For something warming and spiced:
Try ANON Spiced Cane, with notes of cinnamon, lemon, vanilla and ginger.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I drink instead of wine?

You can drink alcohol-free wine, botanical drinks, alcohol-free aperitifs, spritzes, non-alcoholic cocktails or other sophisticated alcohol-free drinks instead of wine. The best choice depends on your preferred flavours and the occasion.

What is the best alternative to wine?

The best alternative depends on what you enjoy about wine. Alcohol-free wine is useful if you want something similar, while an alcohol-free aperitif, botanical drink or spritz can offer a completely different flavour experience.

What can I drink instead of wine with dinner?

Alcohol-free wine, botanical drinks, bitter aperitifs and balanced spritzes can all work with dinner. Choose something that complements the flavours of your food without being excessively sweet.

What do you drink when everyone else is drinking wine?

An alcohol-free aperitif, botanical drink, spritz or alcohol-free cocktail can give you something sophisticated to enjoy while everyone else is drinking wine.

What can I drink instead of alcohol?

There are many options, including alcohol-free aperitifs, botanical drinks, alcohol-free wine, beer alternatives, spritzes, mocktails and non-alcoholic spirits. Choose according to the occasion and the flavours you enjoy.

Are alcohol-free drinks healthier than wine?

Not necessarily. Alcohol-free drinks can help people reduce their alcohol intake, but they are not automatically healthier or lower in calories or sugar. Always check the individual product's ingredients and nutritional information.

What if I don't like alcohol-free wine?

You can choose an alternative that does not attempt to replicate wine. Bitter aperitifs, botanical drinks, spritzes and alcohol-free cocktails can provide complexity without trying to taste like traditional wine.

Are alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks the same?

No. In the UK, alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks refer to different alcohol levels. Drinkaware notes that low-alcohol drinks can contain up to 1.2% ABV, while alcohol-free products can contain small amounts depending on how the term is used and the product's ABV. Always check the label if the amount of alcohol matters to you.

So, What Should You Drink Instead of Wine?



There isn't one answer to what you should drink instead of wine.

If you want something wine-like, try alcohol-free wine. If you want something more distinctive, explore botanical drinks and alcohol-free aperitifs. If you want something refreshing, choose a spritz. And if you want a proper cocktail experience, an alcohol-free Negroni-style drink can be a great option.

Most importantly, don't think of alcohol-free drinks as simply replacements.

They can be drinks worth choosing in their own right.

Whether you're having dinner with friends, hosting a dinner party, heading to a celebration or simply relaxing at home, the right alcohol-free drink can still make the occasion feel special.

Looking for something more grown-up than a soft drink? Explore the ANON range of alcohol-free drinks and find a flavour profile that suits you.