One of my favorite post-dinner rituals is preparing a relaxing after-dinner drink.
I often opt for a glass of non-alcoholic wine or a canned mocktail, given the diverse choices available for non-alcoholic beverages these days.
Here are some of my preferred non-alcoholic after-dinner drinks, sure to please every palate.
Free Spirits – The Spirit of Tequila
Not everyone appreciates the taste of Tequila after a meal, but after several years of living in Mexico, I’ve developed a liking for a shot of Tequila post-dinner (with salt and lime on the side).
I enjoy Free Spirits Tequila because it has a delightful touch of agave and smokiness, leaving a back-of-the-throat burn from the Cayenne pepper.
While it may not fully replicate the body and mouthfeel of alcoholic spirits, I find the non-alcoholic Reposado Tequila quite on point in terms of taste.
That said, like other non-alcoholic spirits I’ve tried, it doesn’t exactly match the flavor profile of traditional Tequila.
Read our full Free Spirits Tequila review here.
Order directly from Free Spirits (within the United States)
Three Spirit Nightcap
I love drinking a shot of Three Spirit’s Nightcap after a dinner because it tastes delicious (reminds me of a sweet, honey drink), feels calming, and it helps me to relax and unwind before bedtime.
While it is made from natural herbs like Valerian and lemon balm, I like that I can’t taste the herbs or any earthiness at all.
Order directly from Three Spirits (within the United States) or Three Spirits UK (within the UK)
Collective Arts Non-Alcoholic Cocktails
Collective Arts produces a variety of non-alcoholic drinks, including a series of mocktails that I truly enjoy.
Their Mojito is probably my favorite flavor because it hits the spot for lime and mint zestiness, and I like that it doesn’t feel overly sugary, especially considering it only contains 3 grams of sugar.
Besides the Mojito, I also enjoyed the Paloma and Moscow Mule. I only wish these were more readily available in bars!
Order Collective Arts Mocktails from Proof No More (United States).
Monday Zero Alcoholic Mezcal
After having tried their non-alcoholic gin, I was equally impressed by their non-alcoholic Mezcal.
Monday Mezcal has a taste profile reminiscent of traditional Mezcals I’ve enjoyed in Mexico, featuring agave sweetness, smokiness, and floral undertones.
As an after-dinner drink, it delivers a satisfying spicy kick with a peppery burn. While some may not appreciate the artificial ‘alcohol burn,’ I personally like that it attempts to mimic the experience.
Read our full review of Monday Zero Alcohol Mezcal here.
Order directly from Monday (within the United States)
Aplós
Besides Three Spirit’s Nightcap, I also enjoy Aplós Calme as an alternative night spirit. Unlike Nightcap, Calme is infused with organically-grown broad-spectrum hemp.
Despite this, I like that it doesn’t have a strong “hemp-y” taste commonly found in many hemp products. Instead, it has a delicious flavor blend of citrus orange and floral notes.
Order directly from Aplós (within the United States)
Lyre’s Dark Cane Spirit
Lyre’s offers the widest range of non-alcoholic spirits I’ve come across, and one of my favorites from their collection is the Dark Cane non-alcoholic rum (in my opinion, not all of Lyre’s spirits taste good).
Dark Cane is made to resemble an aged rum, and it has a nice flavor of caramel, toasted nuts, and velvety molasses mixed together.
I like mixing it with with ginger beer and a touch of vanilla, but you can also try adding non-alcoholic bitters to give it extra flavor depth.
Order from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Proof No More (within the United States)
Seir Hill Mashville Non-Alcoholic Whiskey
This is another non-alcoholic whiskey alternative that I enjoy adding to my after-dinner mocktails.
Seir Hill Mashville has a flavor profile of smoky oak, red apple cider, cloves, and a touch of sweetness reminiscent of an aged whiskey (but with a much thinner body and mouthfeel).
While it may not be my favorite for taking as a shot, I appreciate using it in whiskey-based mocktails, whether it’s the classic Manhattan, timeless Old Fashioned, or zesty Whiskey Sour.
Order from non-alcoholic drinks retailer Proof No More (within the United States)
Also Read: 7 Non-Alcoholic Digestif Drinks To Enjoy After A Meal