This month, some 15.5 million people have pledged to ditch the booze for Dry January.
Abstaining from alcohol benefits sleep, mood, skin, and, of course, your bank balance.
But as a drinks expert, I’m aware it can be a long month for your tastebuds – alcohol-free versions of your favourite tipple rarely taste anything like the real thing.
Wines suffer particularly badly as the harsh process needed to remove alcohol can leave flavours tasting cooked and unfresh.
Equally, it’s clear that the alcohol-free versions of spirits are largely made to be mixed.
It is rare to find anything you would want to sip neat, leaving most of us to splurge on decent tonic.
But don’t feel too despondent, there are some uncanny free-from alternatives out there.
Here is my choice of the best I-can’t-believe-it’s-not-booze drinks on the market.
Expert Helena Nicklin reveals her pick of the best I-can’t-believe-it’s-not-booze drinks on the market (stock image)
BEER
Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% Alcohol Free Beer, 330ml, £1.31, Sainsbury’s
For me, nothing beats the citrusy simplicity of the booze-free Peroni. It’s cracking – so much like the real thing and on draft in many pubs.
Guinness 0.0% Alcohol Free Draught Stout, 440ml, £1.25, Tesco
In terms of tasting like the real thing, Guinness has nailed it and it is also excellent value. If you’re a fan of the black stuff, you should be very happy with this.
Impossibrew Enhanced Lager, 440ml, from £2.59, impossibrew.co.uk
Impossibrew caught my eye on the BBC’s Dragons’ Den and I’ve never looked back. Fresh and hoppy, this tastes like a really good, light lager and, even better, it works with GABA technology which can give you a gentle buzz.
SPARKLING WINE
Kylie Minogue Alcohol Free Sparkling Rosé, £7, Sainsbury’s
Fruity, fun and frothy just like the pop princess herself, this non-alcoholic version of Kylie’s pink fizz is remarkably drinkable though a tad sweet. Think of raspberry refreshers with a pop of strawberry.
Kylie Minogue Alcohol Free Sparkling Rosé, £7, Sainsbury’s
M&S Alcohol Free Fizzero Rosé, £6, M&S and Ocado
This was served at a few parties I attended recently, and when I tasted it, I realised why. It’s one of the most authentic sparkling rosés around that is a reasonable price and not too sugary either.
French Bloom Le Blanc Organic French Non-Alcoholic Bubbly, £32, MouseandGrape.com
This fine fizz might be a fair whack more expensive than many but it will not disappoint. Super crisp and refreshing with notes of melon, pear and zesty citrus, you can tell it was made by people who have crafted Champagne.
WHISKY
Lyre’s American Malt, £23.99, lyres.co.uk
If I could put Lyre’s in every category, I would. Its spirit-alikes are a cut above and this version does a great impression of a smoky, vanilla-scented bourbon. Drink it mixed with Coke or ginger ale, not straight, though.
Feragaia Scotland’s Distilled Alcohol Free Spirit, £24.95, Ocado
With a complex nose and palate thanks to extracts such as cayenne pepper, blackcurrant leaf, seaweed, kaffir lime and hibiscus, this is a serious smoky scotch alternative with a kick of heat on the finish.
Rebels Blend Alcohol Free Whiskey, £24.99, rebels00.co.uk
Fans of sweeter, bourbon-style spirits will appreciate the caramel and vanilla hit, which is balanced by pleasant woody notes. A good one with Coke and mocktails.
GIN
Greyson’s Alcohol Free London Dry Gin, £8.99, Aldi
ASDA Extra Special Non Alcoholic Botanical Drink, £10
ASDA made the right choice getting industry guru Angela Mount to craft its non-alcoholic range and this gin alternative is nicer, I think, than many cheap ‘real’ gins. A balanced, botanical blend.
Greyson’s Alcohol Free London Dry Gin, £8.99, Aldi
Sometimes cheapie dupes nail it and Greyson’s does a good impression of Gordon’s London Dry for a low price. All it needs is a premium tonic.
Ish Caribbean Spiced Spirit, Alcohol Free Rum, £17.29, wisebartender.co.uk
Pentire Seaward, £27.80, pentiredrinks.com
Pentire crafts drinks that are not trying to be specific, non-alcoholic options but this blend will appeal to lovers of premium gin with savoury and aromatic botanicals. Beautiful.
RUM
Caleño Dark & Spicy Alcohol Free Rum Alternative, £13, Ocado
Caleño’s vibrant and tropical rum alternative is a delight. Packed full of sweet spices and notes of pineapple, orange peel and coconut with a kick of ginger on the finish, give this a go with Coke or ginger beer.
Ish Caribbean Spiced Spirit, Alcohol Free Rum, £17.29, wisebartender.co.uk
A lot of thought has gone into making this delicious, de-alcoholised rum, including the addition of Indonesian nutmeg, baked apple and chilli seeds for a kick of heat. A lovely viscosity, too, and fabulous when mixed.
Fluère Spice Cane Dark Roast Non Alcoholic Spirit, £20, Ocado, thelightdrinker.com
As far as good-looking bottles go, this one’s a winner – and what is inside is not bad either. There is a mocha note and a hint of the earthiness you get from agricole rhum. Great with lime and ginger beer.