6 Best Non-Alcoholic Canned Cocktails
Updated: Mar. 13, 2024
Enjoy a bev (minus the buzz) with the best non-alcoholic cocktails. We found flavorful picks for fans of bitter, herbaceous, sweet or fruity sippers. Cheers!
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The phrase “sober curious” entered the lexicon within the last couple years, but for those who partake, it’s so much more than another internet buzzword—it’s a lifestyle. This passionate, ever-growing group of non-drinkers has prompted the enhancement of canned mocktails. As more people decrease their alcohol intake (or eliminate it altogether), so increases the amount of non-alcoholic canned cocktails on the market.
Whether you’re considering sobriety just for Dry January or you’re serious about sobriety as a long-term solution, the best non-alcoholic canned cocktails, which we identified through firsthand testing, will help the journey be as smooth as the drinks themselves.
Some of the beverages on this list are great candidates for mixing, whereas others are delish straight from the can. A handful taste like those bougie (albeit tasty) cocktails that give you a snootful from just one, whereas others are more casual for when you want to crack a few. Some are herbaceous and bitter, whereas others are fruity and sweet. Regardless of which poison you typically pick, you’ll discover something to satisfy your cravings on this list.
The Best Non-Alcoholic Canned Cocktails
Annamarie Higley/Taste of Home
Best Overall
Hiyo
Your favorite non-alcoholic seltzer gets an upgrade with Hiyo. The bubbly beverage comes in three juicy flavors (watermelon lime, blackberry lemon and peach mango), all of which can cause stress relief and a boost in mood because of the adaptogens and botanicals. This sensation is dubbed “the float” by the brand, which is why we consider it one of the best non-alcoholic cocktails.
I tried a can of the watermelon lime flavor and yummed my way through it, though I can’t say I got the full “float” effect. Within each eye-catching can are flavors both mouth-watering and powerful—but not so much so that you can only stomach one can. This is a great easy sipper to toss back during days on the beach, tailgates or bachelor and bachelorette parties.
Pros
- Pleasant, strong flavors that aren’t overpowering
- Very drinkable, even straight from the can
- Causes a mood-boosting, stress-relieving sensation
- Pretty, ergonomic cans
Cons
- Only three flavors
- Cheaper options available
Annamarie Higley/Taste of Home
Best Drinkable
Dry Soda
Available in cucumber, ginger, lavender, Rainier cherry and vanilla, Dry Soda is free from booze but rich in flavor. The company uses basic ingredients to make this gluten- and caffeine-free beverage that’s available on Amazon. Pop the tab and get to sipping—this drink is so satisfying as is. No need for mixers or even ice!
I tried a few flavors of Dry Soda and can confirm I enjoyed all three. For a more typical mocktail experience, opt for the crisp, elevated and subtly sweet cucumber flavor. For your soda fix, try the vanilla flavor, which is sweet and pleasant without being cloying, and reminds me of a healthier cream soda. If you’re a sparkling water lover but crave a little more oomph on occasion, the Rainier cherry flavor is sure to please.
Pros
- Super palatable for all-day sipping
- Five flavorful options
- One of the less expensive options
- Bubbly and refreshing
- Fun, graphic cans
Cons
- More akin to a seltzer than a cocktail
- Some flavors are quite sweet
Annamarie Higley/Taste of Home
Best for Mixing
De Soi
Calling all bon vivants! This bougie beverage, created by Katy Perry and co-founder Morgan McLachlan, makes you feel like you’re at a fancy cocktail lounge every time you crack a can. I preferred some flavors to others (the Très Rosé and Golden Hour varieties were my favorites), but all of them excited, tantalized—and delivered. For example, even though the Purple Lune wasn’t for me, I truly could taste the blackberry notes and vanilla oak.
These drinks are slightly more viscous than others and come in small 8-ounce cans that cost about $6.25 a pop. For both these reasons, I think they’re great candidates for mixing, so keep them stocked on your bar cart. Add a splash of soda water or non-alcoholic spirits for a sophisticated happy-hour treat.
Pros
- Cool, trendy branding
- Celebrity-owned
- Fun, fancy-feeling flavor combinations
- Good for mixing with spirits or other NA sippers
Cons
- Most expensive on the list
- Each can only contains 8 fluid ounces
- Unusual flavors that might not appeal to all
Annamarie Higley/Taste of Home
Best Value
Daypack
If you’ve been in the sober game for a while, you’re likely no stranger to Athletic Brewing Co., known for its non-alcoholic beers. Well, I’m a fan of the company’s line of hops-infused sparkling waters, too.
After trying Daypacks for myself, I was impressed by the balance of the hops, an admittedly potent ingredient, with the fruit flavors. Amidst that signature bitterness, the blood orange, mango and black cherry shined through—and complemented it. (The mango is my pick, btw!) And for roughly $1.66 per can and lots of in-store availability, you can’t beat the price.
Pros
- Least expensive on the list
- Light, fresh and drinkable
- Flavors still shine through amidst the hops
- Readily available in stores and online
Cons
- More akin to a seltzer than a cocktail
Annamarie Higley/Taste of Home
Best Classic
Recess Zero Proof
Margaritas, mules, mojitos, oh my! Recess Zero Proof does them all and more. Although Recess mocktails don’t contain CBD like the brand’s other offerings, they are still designed to uplift, balance and de-stress due to the inclusion of hemp and adaptogens.
More than that, they’re also designed to mimic the flavors of classic cocktails. To me, the grapefruit paloma was the biggest success, though they were all pretty darn tasty. Because of the lack of bubbles, I’d recommend transferring these drinks from the can to a cocktail glass, adding ice and topping with complementary garnishes, like muddled mint or a salty rim.
Pros
- Flavors mimic those of fan-favorite cocktails
- Intended to uplift, balance and de-stress
- Readily available in stores and online
Cons
- Requires some zhuzhing for best results
Annamarie Higley/Taste of Home
Best Flavors
Avec
What do almonds, mangoes and passionfruit have in common? They’re all ingredients included in the flavor of Avec that I sampled. I would’ve never thought to toss nuts into the mix, but the complex flavor combinations that Avec creates just work.
There are six flavor-packed cans from which to choose. Fuji Apple & Cardamom and Yuzu & Lime are next up on my list to try, though I know I’ll revisit the Spiced Mango & Passionfruit soon. 100% alcohol-free and with roughly 85% less sugar and calories than traditional mixers, Avec is a must-have in your drink fridge.
Pros
- Six juicy flavors
- Complex, tasty flavor combinations in which all ingredients shine through
- One of the less expensive options
- Good for mixing with spirits or other NA sippers
Cons
- Only available online in many parts of the U.S.
What to Look for When Buying Non-Alcoholic Canned Cocktails
There are a few considerations when buying non-alcoholic canned cocktails. If you’re drinking NA beverages out of necessity, you might want to choose those that tastes closest to the real deal, like, say, Recess Zero Proof, De Soi or Daypack. If you’re opting to be alcohol-free of your own accord, any tasty, bubbly drink might do the trick.
You’ll also want to factor in price. If you’re cracking one of these cans daily (or more), then Daypack, Avec or Dry Soda will be the budget-friendliest.
Lastly, take stock of your personal preferences. Fans of fruity drinks will prefer Hiyo, Avec, Recess or Dry Soda. Whereas those who like bitter, botanical beverages will love De Soi or Daypack.
Why You Should Trust Us
As the shopping team’s designated expert in the food and drink space, I’ve sipped my way through dozens of beverages, both alcoholic and non, in personal and professional settings alike. I conducted the test of prebiotic and probiotic sodas for Taste of Home, as well as coordinated and partook in the test of wine delivery services. I’ve also served on the Taste of Home testing panel for rosé, light beers, alcoholic seltzers, kombucha and more. I’m well acquainted with what’s on the market and make it my mission to identify which are the best.
How We Found the Best Non-Alcoholic Canned Cocktails
I found the best non-alcoholic cocktails by identifying top-selling brands among our audience as well as the broader public, acquiring samples (in as many flavors as possible!), and then trying them out for myself. While sampling this collection of drinks, I considered different consumer needs, preferences, tastes, prices, accessibility and more. Those that were cut didn’t check one or more of these boxes, leaving me with a list that I’m confident will have something for aspiring and veteran non-drinkers alike.
Additional research contributed by Madi Koetting, Taste of Home Product Reviews Home Editor
Originally Published: August 15, 2022
