Capture the botanical essence of gin without the booze when you make Homemade Zero-Proof Gin. Play around with the ingredients to create your perfect addition for mocktails and more.
DISCLAIMER
*This post may contain affiliate links, meaning Feast + West may receive commissions for purchases made through those links — at no cost to you. All opinions are our own. Please read our full disclosure for more information.
About this Homemade Zero-Proof Gin recipe
Zero-proof spirits are really coming into their own. There are plenty of options that can be found at the store, but I have had so much fun crafting my own recipes right at home!
The ability to play with the ingredients and the ratios means that you’ll end up with a zero-proof gin that has all of your favorite flavors. It may not taste just like a bottle off the bar cart *, but the point of using zero-proof spirits is to give your mocktails depth while including the essence of the spirit itself.
This recipe uses herbs and fruits to emulate the strong herbal flavors you’d find in a bottle of gin. If you’ve tried my DIY zero-proof spirits recipe (which includes tequila and whiskey), you’ll love how this gin version stands on its own. Whether you’re sober-curious or just looking for a flavorful non-alcoholic option, this one’s a game-changer.
A note from the author
If you’re looking for another zero-proof, check out Lyre’s, Spiritless and Ritual (affiliate links). These brands sell zero-proof counterparts to other popular liqueurs, from gin to tequila. I’d love to hear it if you come up with your own version of any other spirit!
And if you’re curious, here are my favorite non-alcoholic spirits and brands, plus my go-to zero-proof whiskeys if you’re not in the mood to make your own:
zero-proof gin alternatives
Buy Now → 
Buy Now → 
Buy Now → *
Boiling water
Tools & equipment
It doesn’t take much to make your own zero-proof gin.
- Start with a big jar, mixing bowl * or pitcher — it needs a wide mouth so you can add whole ingredients (and get them out later).
- Boil water in a pot or kettle on the stove (or an electric kettle) or in a mixing bowl * in the microwave.
- You’ll also want a fine-mesh strainer *. A funnel * that strains is also helpful.
- And finally, a large mason jar or bottle to store it in. This recipe makes 24 ounces.
Ingredients
This botanical combo has lots of gin vibes, and you can use it in place of vodka or gin in a cocktail to make it a mocktail. Gin is notorious for its layers of earthy, herbal flavors, which you can infuse with fresh ingredients and boiling water.
Lemon — all of it including the fruit, pith and zest — provides a zesty layer. Cucumber adds a savory coolness. Black peppercorns give it a bite.
For herbs, a trio of thyme, rosemary and sage adds the herbaceous vibes. I loved the savory vibe of the ones I chose, but lavender, basil, mint, dill and lemongrass, as well as pine and edible flowers, would all be fun to play with.
👇 For full measurements and step-by-step instructions, scroll down to the printable recipe card. It’s all there waiting for you!
Instructions
Making zero-proof gin is pretty easy! You’ll need a couple of hours, max, before they are ready to use, but otherwise you don’t need any special skills to make these!
Would you like to save this?
We'll email a link to you, so you can come back to it later! Plus you'll get great new recipes each week!
First, place all of the ingredients for your gin into a large mixing bowl, jar or pitcher. (You can do a few at a time if you want to and have multiple large vessels.)
Then, pour boiling water over top and stir gently. (Be sure to place on a coaster if your surface is sensitive to warm things!)
Let steep for 1 hour or until cooled to room temperature. It’s normal for the liquid and the ingredients to change color when exposed to hot water. Pour into an airtight glass bottle through a fine-mesh strainer * or straining funnel *. Discard the solids. Use immediately or refrigerate and use within 1 week.
Tips & tricks
- When using lemon, avoid adding the zest or the bitter white pith. It makes these taste too bitter, so I recommend peeling them.
- You can have fun with making your own combinations. Don’t have something I listed here? Try omitting it or making up your own recipe!
- Try using these spirits in your favorite cocktails. They are delicious in classic gin recipes, but there’s a lot you can do to be creative.
How to use Zero-Proof Spirits
These zero-proof spirits can be used in many of your favorite cocktails. Start by using them with a 1:1 ratio.
For example, if your recipe calls for 2 ounces of gin, use 2 ounces of the gin substitute. Adjust the ratio to your liking, using more for a stronger flavor or less for a milder one (or more of your mixer).
They work especially well with the golden ratio of cocktails, which is 2 ounces of spirit plus 1 ounce of sweet and 1 ounce of something sour. A margarita is a great example, with tequila (spirit), agave nectar * (sweetener) and lime juice (sour element). With gin, that’d essentially be a virgin gimlet!
Gin Mocktails
Gin is a colorless spirit that is usually unaged, made by distilling grains with juniper berries and other aromatics and botanicals. This non-alcoholic gin substitute uses herbs and fruits to create some of those same flavors.
- Greyhound: This two-ingredient sipper is easy to make, but offers a sweet-and-sour punch that’s hard to beat! Use a 1:1 ratio and replace the gin with this zero-proof spirit and you’re ready to enjoy.
- Gin-Gin Mule: This twist on the ever-popular classic keeps the ginger beer but adds complexity thanks to the herbal notes. This virgin yule mule is a holiday version that’s delicious with non-alcoholic gin.
- Gin & Tonic: When the ingredients are in the name of the drink, it’s important to get the ratio right. Play around with your zero-proof spirit to see what the perfect ratio is to you.
try non-alcoholic bitters
We love adding bitters to drinks to add a little extra depth and flavor complexity. I’ve teamed up with my friends at All the Bitter — who make fantastic non-alcoholic bitters — to bring you an exclusive discount on your purchase. Use code fwbitters for 10% off!
FAQ
Typically, you can use them 1:1, meaning you can use them to fully replace the same amount of alcohol in a drink recipe. For example, if your recipe calls for 2 ounces of gin, you can use 2 ounces of the non-alcoholic gin substitute. However, you may wish to add more or less depending on how you like your drink.
Since we are infusing fresh ingredients, these non-alcoholic spirits will keep for about 1 week in the fridge. Thankfully, they are inexpensive to make so you can easily make a new batch each week.
More mixology gift ideas
- Infused Cocktail Kits
- Hot Apple Cider Spice Mix
- Hot Cocoa Mix
- Hot Chocolate Bomb Gift Sets
- Homemade Cocktail Cherries
Leave a comment or tap the ★★★★★ below to leave a rating — it helps others and supports our work. We love hearing how it turned out!
Homemade Zero-Proof Gin
video
ingredients
instructions
Gin Substitute
- Peel lemon so no white pith remains and discard the zest. Dice the fruit of the lemon.1 whole lemon
- In a large mixing bowl or pitcher, add lemon, cucumber slices, peppercorns, thyme, rosemary and sage.1 whole lemon, 6 slices cucumber, 6 pieces black peppercorns, 4 sprigs thyme, 4 sprigs rosemary, 4 sprigs sage, 3 cups boiling water
- Pour boiling water over top and stir gently. Let steep for 1 hour or until cooled to room temperature. Pour into an airtight glass bottle through a fine-mesh strainer. Discard the solids. Use immediately or refrigerate and use within 1 week.3 cups boiling water
notes
Save this recipe for later
We’ll email a link to you, so you can come back to it later! Plus you’ll get great new recipes each week!
recommended products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Leave a Reply