Whether you’re a Sober October newbie or veteran, the idea of going an entire month without alcohol can feel overwhelming (to say the least).
Plus, without a plan in place, it’s way too easy to fall back into old habits. That’s especially true if you’re used to reaching for an adult beverage after a long workday or at the start of the weekend.
For that reason, you’ve got to have a strategy in mind before you decide to give up alcohol, even if it’s just for a month.
Along with removing alcohol from your house, sharing your goal with friends and family, and trying new activities, we recommend stocking up on several non-alcoholic drinks.
That way, you can look forward to trying something new instead of feeling upset at what you’ve given up.
Also Read: Sober Curious Movement: Everything You Need To Know About Mindful Drinking
Sober October Drinks Roundup
To help you get the month off to a great start, we’ve put together a list of the best non-alcoholic drinks for Sober October.
Here, you’ll find everything from non-alcoholic beers and wines to mocktails and adaptogen drinks. Each category contains our top three picks, listed as winner, runner-up, and honorable mention.
So, no matter how you like to wet your whistle, there’s at least one drink on this list you’ll love.
Best Non-Alcoholic Beers for Sober October
Winner: Athletic Brewing Free Wave Hazy IPA
Combining Amarillo, Mosaic, and Chinook hops, Free Wave Hazy IPA is an absolute must-try for sober veterans and newbies alike.
The aroma features fruity citrus notes, grapefruit, and ripe peaches. On the palate, it’s hoppy, bitter, and bursting with citrus.
As if the profile wasn’t impressive enough, the full body and slightly sweet finish will trick you into thinking you’ve got an alcoholic beer in your hand.
Order from non-alcoholic drink retailers Proof No More (within United States).
Runner Up: Brewdog Elvis AF
Elvis AF is a hoppy, grapefruit-heavy beer that we can’t get enough of. As you might expect, grapefruit dominates the aroma and flavor, but it’s never too much.
There are also citrus notes and a bit of hop bitterness from the blend of Cascade, Centennial, and Citra hops. Overall, Elvis AF is light, refreshing, and oh-so-crushable.
Order from non-alcoholic drink retailers Proof No More (within United States).
Honorable Mention: Bravus Oatmeal Dark Stout
Thanks to its sweet flavor profile, Bravus’ Oatmeal Dark Stout is the perfect companion during the cold, dark nights of October.
This brew features notes of coffee, caramel, and chocolate that will thrill stout lovers and sweet tooths alike.
I also love the medium body and creaminess, and just how easily this non-alcoholic beer goes down.
Order from Bravus directly (within the United States).
Best Non-Alcoholic Wines for Sober October
Winner: Giesen Sauvignon Blanc
A lot of non-alcoholic wines are either too sweet or too watery. That’s not the case with Giesen’s Sauvignon Blanc.
This alcohol-removed New Zealand white tastes just like the real thing — crisp, dry, and delightfully satisfying paired with fish or clams.
But don’t take my word for it. This white has been winning all kinds of international awards since 2014.
Order from non-alcoholic drink retailers Proof No More (within United States).
Runner Up: Leitz Riesling
Enjoy notes of lime, citrus, rhubarb, and red apple with this sweet, fruity riesling. Pair it with fish curry, spicy Indian dishes, or pork schnitzel for a truly magical combination.
Order from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Proof No More (within United States).
Honorable Mention: Buonafide Wines 0.0 Italian Rosso Superiore
Made without chemical additives in Italy, Buonafide’s Rosso Superiore will have you forgetting there’s no alcohol in the bottle. This classic non-alcoholic red wine features notes of red currant, blood orange, and geranium.
Order from non-alcoholic drink retailer Proof No More (within United States)
Best Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Wines for Sober October
Winner: Thomson & Scott Noughty Sparkling Chardonnay
With its crisp texture and dry taste, Noughty avoids common traps other non-alcoholic sparkling wines fall into.
Plus, with just 14 calories per serving and less than half the amount of sugar found in other non-alcoholic sparkling drinks, this NA wine is an easy category winner.
Order from non-alcoholic drink retailers Proof No More (within United States), and Dry Drinker or Wise Bartender (within the UK).
Runner Up: Carl Jung Mousseux
Carl Jung’s Mousseux is a medium-dry sparkling wine that blends sweet notes of apple with dry carbonation. The result is a well-balanced, easy-to-drink celebratory drink you’ll reach for again and again.
Order from non-alcoholic drink retailer Dry Drinker (within the UK).
Honorable Mention: VINADA Wines Amazing Airen Gold Sparkling Wine
Crafted using Airen grapes from Spain’s La Mancha region, this sparkling wine has won awards for its complex flavor profile.
The citrus and apple notes give just the right amount of sweetness and depth to this satisfying sparkling wine.
Order it online from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Proof No More (within the United States).
Best Non-Alcoholic Mocktails for Sober October
Winner: Clever Gin & Tonic
This ready-to-drink canned cocktail features an herbal, floral aroma with the strong juniper notes you’d expect from an alcoholic gin and tonic.
On the palate, there’s a strong herbal flavor and just the right amount of sweetness. Plus, the folks at Clever have nailed the juniper flavor, making this an excellent G&T alternative.
Order from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Proof No More (within the United States).
Runner Up: Mockly Eye Opener Mocktail
Developed by a leading New Orleans mixologist, Mockly’s Eye Opener features bright notes of citrus, basil, and peach. It finishes with a subtle hit of lemongrass that’ll leave you feeling blissed out long after the can is empty.
Order online directly from Mockly (within the United States).
Honorable Mention: DRY Botanical Bubbly Rainier Cherry
DRY’s drinks are all about using natural ingredients to create healthy non-alcoholic drinks you’ll actually want to drink.
Our favorite is the Rainier Cherry Botanical Bubbly, a slightly sweet canned mocktail with subtle hints of cherry. Light, refreshing, and easy to drink, this might just become your new weekday go-to.
Order it online from Amazon (within the United States).
Best Non-Alcoholic Spirits for Sober October
Winner: Tenneyson Black Ginger
Unlike other non-alcoholic spirits that aim to replicate alcoholic versions, Tenneyson crafts complex liquor-adjacent drinks that delight all of the senses.
Black Ginger combines ginger, dandelion, lemon balm, bergamot, Yerba Matte, Grape Seed, and Gentian Root to create a bold, warm non-alcoholic spirit that’s drinkable alone or mixed.
Order Tenneyson Black Ginger on Proof No More (within the United States)
Runner Up: Dhōs Gin Free
Made with juniper berry oil, orange, grapefruit, and other botanicals, Dhōs Gin Free might just be one of our favorite gin alternatives.
On the palate, the juniper shines through, but it doesn’t take long for other flavors like orange peel, lime, and grapefruit to shine through.
While you won’t be fooled into thinking you’re drinking gin, this is a really impressive stand-in.
Order Dhōs Gin Free on Proof No More (within the United States)
Honorable Mention: Monday Mezcal
Monday Mezcal is made in small batches at the company’s craft distillery in San Diego. This attention to detail shows in the quality of this drink.
The flavor profile is complex, with smoky, tart, and spicy notes all coming through. I recommend tasting it along with salt and lemon for the ultimate drinking experience.
Order direct from Monday (within the United States).
Best Adaptogen/CBD Drinks for Sober October
Winner: Moment Botanical Water
For those with jam-packed schedules who need a bit of me time, there’s Moment, a botanical drink available in both still and sparkling varieties.
Both types contain the brand’s propriety adaptogen blend of L-theanine, ashwagandha, ginseng, and tulsi. You’ll also find botanicals like ginger, hibiscus, rhubarb, and jasmine in many of the flavors.
Order it online directly from Moment (within the United States).
Runner Up: HOP WTR
Here at One Club Sober, we’re big fans of hop water. And while we’ve tried quite a few varieties, HOP WTR has stood out the most to me.
Not only is it delicious and refreshing, but unlike other hop waters, it contains vitamin C, ashwagandha, and L-theanine.
Together, these ingredients will have you feeling calm, collected, and ready to take on the world.
Order it online directly from HOP WTR (within the United States).
Honorable Mention: Recess Mood Peach Ginger
Brewed with magnesium, adaptogens (L‑theanine and lemon balm), peaches, and ginger, Recess Mood is as functional as it is delicious.
Drink it mid-afternoon for a burst of energy or save it for an after-dinner treat. Either way, you’ll be surprised by how much better you feel after drinking just one can.
Order it online from Amazon (within the United States).
Best Hop Waters & Teas for Sober October
Winner: Hoplark Sparkling Water with Citra Hops
We try not to play favorites, but sometimes a drink warrants special treatment. That’s definitely the case when it comes to Hoplark’s Sparkling Water with Citra Hops.
It’s crisp, refreshing, and has the hoppy bite of a bitter IPA — all without any alcohol or calories.
Also Read: Hoplark Sparkling Water Review (0.0% ABV): Citra Hops
Order it online from Amazon (within the United States).
Runner Up: Hoplark HopTea The Mile-High-Biscus One
Along with its line of sparkling waters, Hoplark also makes hop teas. As you can probably guess, they contain a combination of hops and tea.
In the case of the Mile-High-Biscus One, hibiscus petals come together with Cashmere and Lemondrop hops to create a tart (yet drinkable) beverage that’s unlike anything you’ve tried before.
Order it online from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Proof No More (within the United States).
Honorable Mention: Sierra Nevada Hop Splash
With notes of dry citrus and just a hint of pepper, Sierra Nevada’s Hop Splash is a great non-alcoholic, zero-calorie alternative to a bitter IPA.
Peach and grapefruit also come into the mix, giving a subtle sweetness to this delightful hop water.
Also Read: Sierra Nevada Hop Splash Review (0.0% ABV): Hop-Infused Sparkling Water
Order it online from Amazon (within the United States).
We hope you enjoyed this list of the best non-alcoholic drinks for Sober October. Here are some more best-of lists you might enjoy.