Why are we talking about non-alcoholic drinks this time? Never drink and drive, simple as. Not only are the legal ramifications incredibly damning should you be stopped by a police officer, but driving under the influence puts you and others in incredible danger.
Currently, the rules for the drink driving alcohol limit for drivers is 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, it’s 22mg per 100ml of breath. And while metabolism, temperature and a whole host of other factors will affect the potency of alcohol, it’s for the best that if you’re driving, simply don’t drink.
There are other benefits to going alcohol-free too, which is why low and no-alcohol options are becoming more and more popular. No more nasty hangovers will be welcome for a start, same with the obvious health boost from cutting down on alcohol.
The best non-alcoholic drinks at a glance:
Editor’s pick: Martini Vibrante – buy from Waitrose
Best non-alcoholic tequila: CleanCo Clean T – buy from Waitrose
Best beer replacement: Crodino Alcohol Free – buy from Waitrose
There’s a massive array of beverages available now that are either alcohol-free or have a really low alcohol rating (usually 0.5% or less) which means you’ll be able to enjoy the taste of your favourite tipple without risking your driving licence.
The best low and non-alcoholic drinks
Editor's pick
It's recommended you prepare your alcohol-less Martini with 1/2 a glass of the product, 1/2 a glass of tonic, and an orange slice by the side. All very classy and it would make a great display at a dinner party.
Pros
- Historic brand
- Ideal if you enjoy wine, but don't want to drink and drive
Cons
- Not a replacement for a Vodka Martini
Best non-alcoholic gin
It has notes of citrus, eucalyptus and juniper and will allow you to enjoy a nice gin and tonic, all while being able to drive afterwards.
Pros
- Great gin alternative if you need to drive
- Vegan friendly
Cons
- Some reviewers report there isn't much flavour
Best non-alcoholic tequila
It's also designed to be healthy with no added sugar, sweeteners and the fact it's both gluten and lactose-free. And if tequila isn't to your taste, there are other non-alcoholic spirits available from CleanCo, including rum, vodka and gin.
Pros
- Decent tequila replacement
- Sugar free
Cons
- Packaging isn't that stylish
Best non-alcoholic beer
Going into the winter, it could serve as an alternative to a quick bottle of beer at festive and family gatherings.
Pros
- Comes in pack of three
- Ideal to have alongside a light Italian dinner
Cons
- 175ml bottle is a bit short
The best non-alcoholic rum
Like their tequila replacement, the 'Rum' is sugar free and embraces flavours such as golden caramel and cayenne pepper.
Pros
- Uses tasty flavours
- Sugar free
Cons
- Requires fine tuning to get the best result
Best non-alcoholic wine
In an ideal world, it could be served alongside a fancy meal that your friends or family might've prepared. And you wouldn't have to worry about drinking and driving on the way home.
Pros
- A fine wine alternative
- Good value for its quantity
Cons
- Some report it tastes like vinegar
Best lager alternative
It's made using barley-malt, hops and yeast as well as water. Supposedly, it tastes not-too different from regular lager, but the chance of a hangover is much less likely.
Pros
- Good value
- Good taste reviews from users
Cons
- Does contain a bit of alcohol
Why should I be bothered about non-alcoholic drinks?
During the winter months, you are likely going to be invited to a number of gatherings. Work may have a Christmas or some other festive do. There may be a plethora of birthday parties to attend, or even something else. Whatever event it may be, alcohol is likely to be involved if you’re an full-grown adult.
The trouble is though, if you drove to said party or need to drive the next day for whatever reason. The appeal of non-alcoholic drinks grows. They’re a bit more social than a glass of water, but you don’t suffer from those nasty hangovers afterwards. But critically, you eliminate the risk of drinking and driving. If caught, it can land you 6 months in prison. Followed by an unlimited fine and even a driving ban for at least a year.
But perhaps a bottle of non-alcoholic drink could be a great gift for somebody. If you’re aware of a loved one who is cutting down on their drinking game. Alcohol-free drinks could be an ideal substitute.
Aaron Hussain is a commercial content writer at Bauer Media writing for Parkers and CAR. He is obsessed with classic cars and anything with a fascinating story to tell.
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