With the rise in popularity of zero and lower alcohol drinks, we set out to try a range of non-alcoholic drinks and see if it was truly more than “glorified cordial”.
Tried and tested so you don’t have to, the results are in!

Words Kirra Davey

Minchinbury Zero % Alcohol Rosé

For those who pictured rosé tasting sweeter but not too sweet. A bit less dry than your typical European, particularly French or Portuguese rosé, possessing less of an intense taste. The removal of the alcohol serves to allow for more fruiter flavours but it’s certainly not lolly water. In terms of colour, it definitely looks like rosé but in regards to smell, it lacks the signature rosé scent. Highly recommended to crack open a bottle under the summer sun.

Heaps Normal Quiet XPA

Any beer lover trying to lower their alcohol intake this summer should certainly drink this. The taste is just off from the stock standard, hoppy beer flavour, having the usual qualities of a good XPA. But there’s absolutely no tropical notes like the can suggests! Easy to go down. A sublime cold one to crack open on a sweltering day without the worry of a hangover. What more could you want?

Edenvale Sparkling Cuvee

Popping like the usual bubbly, this non-alcoholic drink sparkles the same champagne colour you’d expect from a cuvee. With a refreshing and quenchable taste, this is a good go to when the pressure to drink of the holiday period rocks around. While it does possess one or two preservatives, the positives far outweigh the negatives. And the good news is, it’s not overhyped bubbling grape juice. And it actually has grapes in it.

Giesen Pure Light Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

With 25% less alcohol than the average sauvignon blanc, sitting at 9% alcohol, this lighter drink comes in two sizes, 375ml and 750ml. Hailing from the home of excellent sav blancs, Giesen is a very popular brand and this makes it quite easy to see why. With a minor difference in flavour between a normal sav blanc and this, those looking for the lighter option will not be disappointed in their choice. Yummy and enjoyable, it’s best paired with fish.

Scape Goat Zero Crisp Apple Cider

Being the only zero in the Scape Goat Range, this non-alcoholic cider is a tiny bit lighter and less full-bodied in taste. Not overbearingly sweet, the usual crisp notes are still there. Make no mistake, you’re certainly not drinking apple juice when you drink this. It bubbles and looks the same as a typical cider, with the same colour as the other apple Scape Goats. This one is a just a teeny bit frothier. With the same amount of alcohol as kombucha or Paul’s Bundaberg flavoured eggnog, this drink is perfect to have in a glass with ice to beat the summer heat. And the best part is, you can drink a six-pack of these and not get drunk!

Tip for young players! It should be noted that just because a bottle of non-alcoholic alcohol markets itself as having zero alcohol, it does not mean this is the case. Typically, drinks that state they have removed the alcohol possess 0.5% or less alcohol.