Quick Answer 🧠
Non-alcoholic spirits are complex, crafted alternatives to traditional alcohol. They let you enjoy the cocktail experience — with all the complexity, nuance, and character — without the baggage. They contain less than 0.5% ABV, which is the FDA definition of “non-alcoholic.”
So, What Are They, Really? 🤔
We’re cocktail people. We like our drinks with structure, nuance, and something to say. But sometimes we want the experience without the aftermath. That’s why we created Free Spirits.
They’re designed to step in, not just sit out. They replace traditional spirits 1:1 in cocktails and you can use them whether you’re cutting alcohol completely or just dialing it down.
This isn’t about drinking less. It’s about drinking better.
Are Non-Alcoholic Spirits Actually Alcohol-Free? ⚖️
Free Spirits are non-alcoholic, which is defined by the FDA as less than 0.5% ABV.
We clock in around 0.3% ABV — about the same as orange juice or a ripe banana.
Fun fact: soy sauce is between 1% and 2% ABV.
How Non-Alcoholic Spirits Are Made 🔬
Not all non-alcoholic spirits are created the same way. Some start with a traditional spirit that’s distilled and then stripped of alcohol. Others are flavored waters with a fancy label.
At Free Spirits, we take a different approach.
Each bottle is built from the ground up to recreate the flavor, aroma, mouthfeel, and heat of your favorite spirits — without the alcohol.
We start by sourcing natural ingredients like:
- 🇺🇸 American White Oak
- 🇪🇺 European Juniper
- 🇲🇽 Mexican Blue Agave
Then we extract the essence of those ingredients. We take the parts that truly matter in a cocktail and rebuild the spirit note by note. We call this process Distillate Reconstruction™.
That means you get:
- Real aromatics that hit the nose like the original
- Body and bite to give it backbone
- Capsaicin to simulate the warming finish of alcohol
- B-vitamins for a subtle, functional lift
The result is something that doesn’t just fill the gap, it plays the part.
Do They Taste Like Traditional Spirits? 🔁
Are they identical to the alcoholic versions? Not quite, but that's by design. They’re meant to do the same job. They just use a slightly different toolkit.
- You shake them.
- You stir them.
- You sip them slowly, or pour another round.
They don’t just get close. They get you there, without the fog, the fuzz, or the fallout.
The Cocktail, On Your Terms 🍸
Whether you’re going full non-alc or just cutting the proof in half, Free Spirits gives you back control.
| Style | How to Use It | ABV Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Full Non-Alc | Replace spirit 1:1 in any recipe | < 0.5% ABV |
| Half & Half | Mix Free Spirits + real alcohol | ~50% lower ABV |
| Session Cocktails | Build long drinks with NA base + mixers | Virtually 0% |
Non-Alcoholic Cocktails vs. Mocktails 🍹
Mocktails are fine. But Free Spirits are designed to hold their place in a proper drink — not just get tossed in with juice and soda.
| Feature | Mocktail | Non-Alcoholic Cocktail |
|---|---|---|
| Base flavor | Juice, soda, or syrup | Complex, spirit-like core |
| Mixability | Limited | 1:1 swap in real cocktails |
| Cocktail vibe | Light, sweet | Structured, adult, layered |
| Purpose | Refreshment | Full cocktail experience |
Related Video: Free Spirits 101 – Episode 1 📺
“So, what is a cocktail, really?”
How we build real-deal cocktails without the hangover.
▶️ Watch now
TL;DR 🔎
Q: What are non-alcoholic spirits?
A: Non-alcoholic spirits are complex, crafted liquids that replicate the experience of traditional spirits in cocktails — but with less than 0.5% alcohol.
The Bottom Line
Maybe you’re cutting back. Maybe you’re driving. Maybe you just don’t feel like waking up wrecked.
Whatever your reason, Free Spirits gives you the ability to drink on your terms — to say yes to the ritual, the glassware, the moment — and no to the other stuff that alcohol may bring to the party.
A good cocktail should make you feel something.
It just doesn’t have to be drunk.
