SFGate: The tastiest non-alcoholic drinks, according to a sober person

Getting recognized always feels special, especially when it reflects why we started Jøyus in the first place: to make non-alcoholic drinks that still feel celebratory, flavorful, and worth pouring. In a recent roundup, SFGate named Jøyus their top pick for non-alcoholic wine among the best non-alcoholic beverages, and we couldn’t be more excited to see our bubbles getting that kind of love.

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I stopped drinking alcohol nearly a year ago, both for my physical and mental health. Since saying goodbye to booze, I’ve lowered my anxiety, increased my ability to focus, and found it way easier to wake up early in the morning to exercise. These days, it’s rare that I reach for a zero-proof or non-alcoholic drink alternative, but in the early days of sobriety, I leaned on alcohol-free wine and canned mocktails to maintain my choice not to drink.

From zero-proof tequila to canned beverages with adaptogens, I tried all sorts of alcohol-free sips and relied on those concoctions for months to stay away from actual booze in the evenings, when I was most tempted to uncork a bottle of wine. The result? A go-to list of the best non-alcoholic drinks on the market that I still keep around the house for times I want to sip on something more festive than a Diet Coke.

These are the tried-and-true, best-ever non-alcoholic drinks I’ve discovered in almost a full year without alcohol. Whether you're sober, sober curious, embarking on your first sober September journey, or just looking to cut back, these sips are worth trying.

• Best non-alcoholic beer: Athletic Brewing Company Run Wild IPA
• Best non-alcoholic wine: Joyus Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Wine
• Best aperitif: Lyre’s Amalfi Spritz
  
• Best gin alternative: Lyre’s Pink London Gin-Style Non-Alcoholic Spirit
  
• Best botanical: Seedlip Garden Non-Alcoholic Spirit
  
• Best canned mocktail: Recess Zero-Proof Watermelon Mojito Canned Mocktail
  
• Best at pulling double-duty: Figlia non-alcoholic aperitivos

How we picked the best non-alcoholic drinks and why you should trust us

When I stopped drinking alcohol in 2023, I went from consuming multiple glasses of wine, bottles of beer, or cocktails per night to trying to figure out if there was nothing left for me but a life of sipping on Diet Coke and sparkling water in place of the drinks I used to enjoy. I learned through lots of trial and error that there are some really good alcohol alternatives out there that can truly help you forget about alcohol and focus on life sans booze.

While not every product marked as non-alcoholic tastes amazing or works as a great stand-in for boozy beverages, I’ve tried plenty and have streamlined my personal list into what’s worth the cost and effort and what’s best left on the shelf. 

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