The best non-alcoholic spirits in India beyond mocktails

Most bars across India today offer non-alcoholic menus with options that are as enticing as gin- or tequila-based cocktails. And they don’t just comprise ginger ale, an assortment of sodas or tonic water topped with a wedge of lime, or drinks drowning in flavoured sugary syrups. 

Part of this shift reflects changing drinking patterns among younger consumers. Gen Z is drinking less alcohol than previous generations, but the rise of non-alcoholic spirits in India cannot be reduced to age alone.   “About 90 per cent of customers ask for sugar-free drinks, but sugary syrups have dominated mocktails for so long. Today, zero-proof drinks are clarified—or filtered to remove impurities, solids, and cloudiness, making them appear clearer, imparting a smoother texture and a more balanced flavour,” says mixologist Manoj Singh Rawat, who added zero-proof drinks to the menu at Delhi-based restaurant and bar Latoya last year

The category’s growth also mirrors a broader recalibration of social behaviour.  Drinking is no longer the primary marker of participation, particularly in professional settings, mixed-age gatherings, or urban social circles where pace, clarity, and control matter. Choosing a non-alcoholic spirit today signals moderation rather than abstinence. It allows for participation without excess, fitting seamlessly into work nights, family occasions, wellness-led lifestyles, or situations where alcohol has traditionally felt obligatory.  “Moderation [in drinking habits] is also becoming more frequent, driven by a desire for flexibility and conscious consumption rather than complete abstinence,” Amitabh Pande, EVP Strategy and Consumer Planning, Diageo. “In India, non-alcoholic beverages fit into occasions such as family gatherings, work nights, wellness-led lifestyles, or if one is driving—allowing consumers to enjoy a refined, adult beverage experience without alcohol.” 

The diverse range of non-alcoholic spirits in India

 Non-alcoholic beverages aren’t just confined to an alcohol-free version of familiar. Bars and brands are increasingly building flavour depth through regional ingredients and technique rather than mimicry.  but drinks heavy on Gondhoraj lebu, kokum, mango or Indian pomelo that work as a refreshing pick-me-up. “Non-alcoholic beverages are no longer an afterthought on menus because customers are now veering toward them. Menus are reflecting the increasing demand for local ingredients, besides just drinks made with natural sweeteners,” Rawat lists non-alcoholic spirits that are made using kokum liqueur crafted in-house at Latoya, besides jasmine liqueur, peach liqueur, rose and Mexican chilli essence, and a molasses essence. 

“Consumers are increasingly gravitating towards flavour profiles that blend Indian nostalgia with modern complexity—salty, spiced, sour, herbal, and fruit-forward notes that deliver the depth and balance of a cocktail rather than just sweetness. Flavours such as aam panna, jaljeera, nimbu, kokum, jamun, and kala khatta are being reimagined in premium formats, alongside Southern influences like spiced buttermilk and savoury spice blends. Botanicals such as rose, citrus peels, herbs, and spices are also adding aromatic depth, allowing zero-proof serves to feel refined, layered, and sensorial. These flavour profiles allow zero-proof drinks to feel crafted and experiential, reinforcing the trend of premiumisation within the category,” says Pande. 

Moreover, as the trend of making cocktails at home continues to grow, consumers want to experiment with more than just two-ingredient serves. “This is driving a sustained demand for tonic waters, ginger ales, citrus sodas, and premium mixers that deliver ease, consistency, and a high-quality drinking experience at home,” adds Pande.

“Preparing zero-proof drinks can be more technique-driven via fat-washing or infusion methods—something as simple as adding a floral flavour to ginger ale through the sous vide process. Or a pomelo chilli liqueur. Or a zero-proof drink which has been fat-washed with almond, coconut or cashew butter, which not just adds flavour but also gives it a creamy texture,” says Rawat. 

How to choose non-alcoholic spirits in India

Picking a zero-proof drink could be more liberating because there’s no actual alcohol in it. Figure if you like something fruity, spicy, herbal, bitter, or creamy. Avoid syrups, and go for those that use natural sweeteners like allulose (in dates and figs) or Stevia. For citrus mixers, pick a drink with lime, lemon, mint, basil or rosemary. For a spiced-up drink, go for one with chilli or black pepper, sometimes with a bit of honey. Zero-proof alternatives for classic cocktails can be had with some soda or just ice. 

Seven brands shaping non-alcoholic spirits in India

We put together a list of seven brands offering non-alcoholic beverages that elevate the drinking experience, sans any alcohol. 

1.Sober

This Indian brand of non-alcoholic spirit was established in late 2020 and was one of the first to pull off a ‘Sober Gin’, following which they launched variants such as Rum, Pink Gin, and Whiskey. Think getting a taste of the alcohol, but without a hangover. The brand also claims to have no sugar and is low-calorie. Flavour-wise, Sober Whiskey has warm notes of vanilla and clove, and is smoky and peaty with notes of dried fruits, honey, and oak. Meanwhile, Sober Gin is made using a blend of botanicals and adaptogens, and contains juniper berries, Gondhoraj lemon peel, Nagpur orange peel, and cardamom seeds, among other ingredients. 

Website: https://drinksober.co/

Price: ₹1,999 onwards

2. Jimmy's Cocktails

Launched as a non-alcoholic mixer brand in 2019, Jimmy's Cocktails added sparkling non-alcoholic beverages and non-alcoholic beers—all promising fewer calories—to cater to teetotallers. The beer comes in three flavours–Cranberry, Malt, and Peach. Mixers include the Popstar Martini mix which is rich in passion fruit with hints of lime juice and vanilla. Other options on the roster include Bloody Mary, Cosmopolitan, Sex on The Beach, Mango Chilli Mojito, Green Apple Martini, Whiskey Sour, and Margarita. 

Website: https://drinksober.co/

Price: ₹799 onwards (beer)

3. Kati Patang’s NOT 

Launched in 2021, Kati Patang’s NOT range of non-alcoholic beverages mimic classic cocktails like Gin and Tonic, Cosmopolitan, and Old Fashioned, using natural botanicals, fruits, and flavouring without artificial ingredients or preservatives. The NOT Gin & Tonic has an aroma and sweetness of juniper, freshness of lemon and basil, and some tonic bitterness. The NOT Cosmopolitan is tart with cranberry and pineapple and sweet notes of orange. The NOT Old Fashioned has warm oak notes of Bourbon whisky and non-alcoholic aromatic bitters with a nutty, vanilla finish. 

Website: https://katipatang.com/

Price: ₹130 onwards

4. Jade Forest 

This Indian non-alcoholic spirit brand launched in 2019 offers botanical-infused tonic waters, ginger ales, and iced teas, all of which are low in calories as well as sugar. While the initial list of products included tonic waters, ginger ales, and club soda, additions comprise iced teas like Berry Blush (berries, herbs, black tea), Mango Lush (Alphonso mangoes, peaches, white tea), and Citrus Crush (lime, lemongrass, mint, green tea), besides Cucumber and Mint Tonic Water, and Honey-sweetened Ginger Ales. Their tonic waters include a sweet, tart, and slightly bitter Grapefruit, an aromatic Elderflower, and a Cucumber and  Mint variety. 

Website: http://jadeforest.in/

Price: ₹ 360 onwards

5. Svami Drinks

Launched in 2018, Svami Drinks offers a variety of non-alcoholic spirits that taste like cocktails: for instance, Rum & Cola, a cola-flavoured drink with vanilla, caramel, and cinnamon; Gin & Tonic made with juniper, citrus, and berries; and the sweeter Pink Gin & Tonic with strawberries, juniper, and citrus. While these offerings are low in calories, they also have healthier options, like the 2 Cal Cola (zero sugar) and Salted Lemonade. 

Their range of tonics include a bold, zesty Original Tonic and a low-sugar Light Tonic that uses Indian lime for a drier finish, along with Cucumber Tonic, Grapefruit Tonic, and special editions like the Pandan Tonic.

Website: https://svamidrinks.com/

Price: ₹ 660 onwards

6. Sepoy & Co

This Indian brand launched in 2018 focused on producing low-calorie, natural botanical mixers and tonics using Himalayan water. Their botanical mixers include the classic tonic, spiced grapefruit, and mint. Their tonic waters include an Indian Tonic Water—a blend of organic citrus acids and natural quinine from Africa, besides flavours like mint, elderflower, spiced grapefruit, hibiscus, and cucumber. Other offerings include Original Ginger Ale and Premium Ginger Beer, besides sparkling lemonades in multiple flavours: Classic Lemonade, Peach, Mixed Berry, Pink Rose, and Tropical Lemonade (pineapple and passion fruit). 

Website: https://sepoyandco.com/

Price: ₹ 1,320 (for a pack of 6) onwards

7. Don Julio

Besides brands that are dedicated solely to manufacturing mixers and non-alcoholic beverages, alcohol brands are also recognising the increasing demand for these drinks. Diageo’s tequila brand, Don Julio, has launched a Grape Fruit Soda—a carbonated grapefruit drink sweetened with fructose, comprising  subtle notes of lime too.  

Website: https://www.donjulio.com/en

Price: ₹100

How to drink non-alcoholic spirits in India

Non-alcoholic whiskies are typically paired with chilled mixers such as ginger ale, soda, or sparkling water, often over ice. Non-alcoholic gins follow the structure of a classic G&T, built with tonic or sparkling water and citrus-forward garnishes such as grapefruit. Increasingly, zero-proof serves are also designed as standalone drinks, relying on balance and technique rather than substitution.