Level up your mocktail mixology game with easy-to-brew Homemade Zero Proof Spirits. These easy mixers can replace the alcohol in many of your favorite drink recipes.
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About this Homemade Zero-Proof Spirits recipe
There are so many reasons for giving up alcohol altogether or simply skipping it for one night: health reasons, designated driving, an important meeting tomorrow…
But one mistake is thinking that not imbibing will save you money. Let’s be real: Drinking zero-proof can be kind-of pricey. If you want to use one of the 1:1 alcohol alternatives, you’re usually looking at paying $20-$40 for a quality bottle or a pack of canned mocktails.
I have been making my own for a while now and I’m obsessed with coming up with my own flavor combinations to use in my favorite mocktail recipes.
Below are my top three, which work to substitute gin, vodka, whiskey and tequila. They are easy to make and come together in about an hour. And they are just as good — if not fresher and better-tasting — as the store-bought brands.
More DIY mixology recipes: Margarita Sugar • Dehydrated Citrus • Homemade Ginger Ale • Simple Syrups
Why you’ll love these recipes
Homemade zero-proof spirits are going to be your new favorite addition to your non-alcoholic drinks.
- With just a few ingredients, you can have alcohol alternatives on hand without breaking the bank.
- They’re easy to make, even if you’re not an experienced cook or bartender.
- Zero-proof spirits add much-needed depth of flavor to homemade non-alcoholic drinks.
- They are great gifts or an easy thing to make for a non-drinking friend when they come over next!
A note from the author
These recipes are just the tip of the iceberg. The ones below will help you replace the most popular spirits: gin, vodka, tequila and whiskey. But of course, there are so many types of alcohol and I couldn’t possibly fit them all into one post!
If you’re looking for something not here, check out Lyre’s, Spiritless and Ritual (affiliate links). These brands sell several of zero-proof counterparts to other popular liqueurs, such as Lyre’s coffee liqueur and Ritual’s apéritif alternative. 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!
What are zero-proof spirits?
Zero-proof spirits are alcohol substitutes that are designed to emulate different types of alcohol and enhance non-alcoholic drinks.
The word “proof” refers to the alcohol content in a given spirit, so “zero proof” means there’s no alcohol.
Some zero-proof spirits are designed to mimic their alcoholic counterparts, like bourbon or tequila, while others are blended with flavor combinations that add complexity and variety to mocktails.
Store-bought vs. homemade
There are plusses and minuses to both store-bought and homemade. Store-bought zero-proof spirits are great because…
- They are readily available. You don’t even have to make a separate trip to the liquor store! You can often find them at grocery stores and pharmacies.
- They keep longer than homemade versions.
- You can find reviews of them online to help you choose the best ones.
But the downside? Zero-proof spirits cost almost as much as a bottle of booze. If you stick to soda and lemonade, you won’t pay cocktail prices.
But if you like to make more sophisticated mocktails, you’ll know that bottle of a 1:1 zero-proof alcohol substitute can be just as expensive as a mid-shelf bottle of bourbon.
That’s because the mocktail movement is relatively new, so there’s not a lot of competition right now. Brands can charge as much as their alcoholic counterparts. (As they should — I support this! But at the same time, it’s not in everyone’s budget. This article on Eater explains why non-alcoholic drinks cost so much.)
If you like having these alcohol alternatives on hand but don’t want to spend money on them, you can absolutely make your own. All it takes are a few ingredients, some hot water and a little time. Plus, you can dream up your own flavor combinations to mix things up every time. They don’t last nearly as long, but they’re so good, I bet it won’t be a problem!
Tools & equipment
Surprisingly, you really don’t need a lot to make your own zero-proof spirits.
- 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.
- A finally, a large mason jar or bottle to store it in. This recipe makes 24 ounces.
Ingredients
I’ve been experimenting with three different zero-proof spirits to use in my homemade mocktails. These three can be substituted for the alcohol in many common cocktails, from margaritas to mint juleps.
Whiskey substitute ingredients
This one can be used to turn your favorite whiskey cocktails into non-alcoholic tipples. You’ll need:
- Barrel-aged tea bags (I used Harney & Son’s Black Cask Bourbon tea)
- Orange zest
- Whole cloves
- Cinnamon sticks
- Boiling water
Tequila substitute ingredients
You can use this one in your favorite tequila drinks, or try it in place of vodka or rum as well for a gently sweet-and-spicy kick.
- Lime
- Black peppercorns
- Red pepper flakes
- Vanilla bean (You can substitute a teaspoon of vanilla extract at the end if you don’t have a vanilla bean)
- Ginger root
- Agave nectar (optional)
- Boiling water
Gin substitute ingredients
This botanical combo has lots of gin vibes, and you can use it in place of vodka or gin. You can try other herbs in this one too. I loved the savory vibe of the ones I chose, but I think lavender, basil, mint, dill and lemongrass, as well as pine and edible flowers, would all be fun to play with.
- Lemon
- Cucumber
- Black peppercorns
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Boiling water
Instructions
Making these zero-proof spirits 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!
First, place all of the ingredients for your chosen zero-proof spirit 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.)
Tip: When using tea bags, you can anchor them to the top of the jar with the ring lid.
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
Here are some tips and tricks for making this recipe:
- When using lemon and lime, 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 first. They are delicious in the classic sour recipe, 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 whiskey, use 2 ounces of the whiskey 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).
Mocktail recipes
Try these spirits in your favorite mocktail recipes! Here are a few suggestions:
Tequila mocktails
Regular alcoholic tequila adds a crisp, clean flavor (and sometimes smoky, if you use mezcal). Our non-alcoholic tequila substitute has flavors of pepper, agave and lime, making it a delicious companion to the tequila drinks you know and love.
- Paloma: Bitter grapefruit and soda are the perfect match for this non-alcoholic tequila.
- Margarita: This one is a classic refresher. Don’t forget the margarita salt on the rim!
- Virgin Mary: Savory and a little spicy, try this one in a non-alcoholic Bloody Mary.
- Mojito: Try either the gin or tequila alternative with this minty, zesty classic cocktail. (I am working on a rum substitute and will keep you posted here when I get it right!)
Whiskey mocktails
Bourbon whiskey is the most common type of whiskey, and our non-alcoholic whiskey substitute has all the same flavors. It’s got notes of bourbon from the barrel-aged tea, orange and spices.
- Whiskey sour: A cocktail from the Sour family, this one features lemon and simple syrup, and sometimes egg white. Or try a Gold Rush, a riff on this classic made with honey.
- Old-fashioned: Pour two ounces over simple syrup. Add a clear ice cube and a few drops of non-alcoholic bitters (affiliate link) of your choice.
- Mint julep: The julep is a Southern bourbon cocktail with a hint of fresh mint flavor.
- Bourbon ginger ale: Mix this one with soda for a delicious way to deepen the complexity of flavors.
Gin mocktails
Botanical gin has a wide range of flavors, and our non-alcoholic gin substitute really delivers with flavors of fresh herbs, peppery spices and zesty lemon.
- Gimlet: Another cocktail from the Sour family, the gin gimlet is the perfect template for using this non-alcoholic gin.
- Gin & Tonic: Add a splash of tonic water over top for a botanical and bubbly beverage.
- French 75: Use the gin plus some simple syrup and a splash of soda or sparkling cider. Garnish with a lemon twist.
- Moscow Mule: The classic Moscow mule calls for vodka, but the truth is you can pretty much use any spirit.
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
- Airplane Cocktail Kits
- Hot Chocolate Bomb Gift Sets
- Homemade Cocktail Cherries
— Did you make this recipe? —
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Homemade Zero Proof Spirits
ingredients
Whiskey Substitute
- 4 black cask bourbon tea
- 3 pieces orange zest
- 6 cloves
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 3 cups water boiling
Tequila Substitute
- 1 whole lime peeled and quartered
- 6 black peppercorns
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 vanilla bean halved and seeds removed (see note)
- 1 piece ginger root about 4 inches long, peeled and diced
- 1 tablespoon agave nectar optional
- 3 cups water boiling
instructions
- Whiskey substitute: In a large mixing bowl or pitcher, add teabags, orange zest, cloves and cinnamon sticks.
- Tequila substitute: Peel lime so no white pith remains and discard the zest. Dice the fruit of the lime. In a large mixing bowl or pitcher, add lime, peppercorns, red pepper flakes, halved vanilla bean shells, ginger root and agave nectar. (If you need to use vanilla extract in place of the vanilla bean, it is better to add it once the liquid has cooled.
- Gin substitute: Peel lemon so no white pith remains and discard the zest. Dice the fruit of the lemon. In a large mixing bowl or pitcher, add lemon, cucumber slices, peppercorns, thyme, rosemary and sage.
- All: 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.
- To make a mocktail: Start by using these zero-proof spirits in a 1:1 ratio. For example, if a recipe calls for 2 ounces of whiskey, use 2 ounces of the whiskey substitute. Adjust the ratio to your liking, using more for a stronger flavor or less for a milder one. A great combination to start with is 2 ounces zero-proof spirit + 1 ounce simple syrup + 1 ounce lemon/lime juice.
notes
Herbs for gin — use whatever you want. i liked these for a more savory vibe, but lavender, dill, mint and basil would all be delicious. You can also experiment with other botanicals such as pine or edible flowers.
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