Non-alcoholic spirits: Gin alternatives, aperitifs and Spritz with 0.0% ABV

Non-alcoholic spirits are beverages that replicate the aroma and spice of classic spirits using distillates, extracts, and juices, but contain 0.0% ABV. You mix them with tonic and ice just like gin or an aperitif. This category includes gin alternatives, aperitifs, bitters, and ready-to-drink Spritz bottles and concentrates from six producers.

Why there is no such thing as "non-alcoholic gin" officially

According to EU law, a spirit must have at least 15% ABV, and gin must have at least 37.5% ABV. The term "non-alcoholic gin" is therefore inadmissible, even if it is frequently searched for. Labels use terms such as gin alternative, non-alcoholic aperitif, or virgin long drink. "Non-alcoholic spirits" is a collective term from the retail trade, not a legal definition. What counts for you is what is inside the bottle and how you mix it.

Gin alternatives with juniper

Distillates made from juniper, citrus, and spices provide the gin character. According to the manufacturer, Windspiel Alkoholfrei and Zero de Cologne are sugar-free; in a glass with tonic, they exhibit notes of juniper, clove, or lime, with the sweetness coming from the tonic. The Junipaero from the Feinbrennerei Sasse, on the other hand, is a sweetened concentrate that you extend with water and tonic.

Aperitifs and bitters

A non-alcoholic aperitif is intended to stimulate the appetite before a meal: bittersweet, citric, and herbal. Grapefruit, bitter orange, hibiscus, or alpine herbs provide the flavor profile. The bitters from Jörg Geiger are based on apple or pear juice from Swabian meadow orchards and are already effervescent in the bottle.

Spritz from a bottle

The ready-made Spritz mixtures combine an aperitif with dealcoholized sparkling Riesling. You open the bottle and pour; one bottle is enough for four to five glasses. The Hibiscus Spritz tastes tart and floral, the San Limello Spritz lemony and dry; both should be served well-chilled in a wine glass, with Limello often served over ice with a slice of lemon.

Our producers

Our top seller is Windspiel Alkoholfrei from Windspiel in the Volcanic Eifel: twelve botanicals, macerated and distilled, with juniper, clove, pimento, and citrus, vegan and sugar-free. Coming from Cologne is Zero de Cologne by Gin de Cologne, which captures the botanicals of their own in-house gin as spice and floral distillates.

Most bottles come from Dr. Jaglas in Berlin, bottled in apothecary-style bottles. Very popular is the San Limello with lemon and a distillate of ginger, thyme, and chili. The San Pompello focuses on grapefruit, the Herber Hibiskus on hibiscus flower and elderberry. Ready-mixed, there is the Hibiscus Spritz with dealcoholized Riesling from the Leitz winery.

From Traunstein in the Chiemgau region comes the Bio Aperitivo Senza by Mondino, with alpine herbs, citrus, cranberry, and elderberry in Bavarian water. The Manufaktur Jörg Geiger from Schlat contributes two organic long drinks: Dzin Bitter with juniper and cucumber and Aecht Kimmel with caraway, dill, and pear.

The Feinbrennerei Sasse from the Münsterland region fills organic concentrates into 350 ml bottles: the Junipaero as a gin alternative made from distillates of juniper, lemon peel, rosemary, cardamom, and coriander, plus three Wellpaero varieties – the Wellpaero Limoncello made from organic lemons, vermouth & orange as a bitter spritz, and Ginger Melissa with herbs from their own organic cultivation.

Mixing: three basic recipes

Most drinks in this category follow a simple pattern of base, tonic, and ice. For a gin & tonic without alcohol, use 4 cl of Zero de Cologne, 16 cl of tonic, a wedge of lime, and three ice cubes; for Windspiel, add plenty of ice and a slice of lemon. For the Junipaero, stir 2 cl of concentrate with 2 cl of water and top up with 20 cl of tonic over ice. For the Limello Spritz, mix one part San Limello with two parts tonic and add mint to the glass. San Pompello becomes a tequila-free Paloma with tonic and a salted rim; San Orangello becomes a bitter spritz with tonic and an olive. Mix the Senza from Mondino with non-alcoholic Prosecco for the Senza Spritz. For dishes like Maultaschen or cabbage rolls, serve Aecht Kimmel neat in a long drink glass.

Feel free to be generous with the glassware: Spritz and Paloma go into a bulbous wine glass with plenty of room for ice; gin alternatives with tonic go into a tall long drink glass. Serve the Dzin Bitter over ice in a Burgundy or long drink glass. A citrus peel, a slice of cucumber, or a sprig of mint are sufficient garnishes. It is especially important that the tonic and glasses are well-chilled, as this slows down ice melting and keeps the drink fresh for longer.

What to look for when buying

• Concentrate or ready-to-drink: Dilute aperitifs in 500 ml bottles and Sasse concentrates with tonic or water; pour 750 ml Spritz bottles directly into the glass.
• Sugar: Windspiel Alkoholfrei and Zero de Cologne are sugar-free; the Senza is balanced with beet sugar; Junipaero and Wellpaero Limoncello are sweetened.
• For tasting: The Aperitif Trio from Dr. Jaglas brings Hibiscus, Limello, and Pompello together in one box.
• After opening: Without alcohol, there is no natural preservative; store opened bottles in a cool place and follow the instructions on the label.

Matching products

This category belongs to our drinks. You can find sparkling meal companions like PriSecco and dealcoholized wine under non-alcoholic beverages. If you mix your own tonic from syrup, you can find glass dispensers and Erlenmeyer flasks under glassware & bar accessories.

Order non-alcoholic spirits online

For a gin & tonic on a Friday evening or a Spritz for guests who are driving: order non-alcoholic spirits online at Leni & Hans, and your package will arrive in 1–3 days.