6 low ABV cocktails and 9 non-alcoholic drinks to discover

At a time when alcohol consumption is becoming more mindful, low-ABV cocktails and alcohol-free drinks are gaining popularity.

More than a passing trend, they respond to a desire to drink more lightly, without giving up flavour or enjoyment.

Whether for brunch, an aperitif with friends, or an evening when you want to limit alcohol, these options now offer interesting aromatic profiles, far removed from simple juices.

Discover 15 on-trend drinks with our selection of 6 delicious low-ABV cocktails and 9 alcohol-free alternatives, perfect for enjoying without moderation.

Low-alcohol cocktails (low ABV)

Low-ABV cocktails (Low Alcohol By Volume) are defined by their lower alcohol content compared to classic cocktails. ABV, or Alcohol By Volume, refers to the percentage of alcohol in a beverage.

Rather than relying on strong spirits, these cocktails use ingredients such as vermouth, aperitivo, sparkling wine or lighter liqueurs to create balanced, refreshing and easy-to-enjoy drinks.

Americano: Made with Campari, vermouth and soda, the Americano is a great classic among low-ABV cocktails. Lighter than the negroni it's inspired by, it contains no gin while retaining a lovely bitter, aromatic structure. A fresh, well-balanced cocktail, perfect for aperitivo. See the Americano recipe.

Soda vermouth: Simple, effective and refreshing, the vermouth-soda is made with a good red vermouth, sparkling water and a few ice cubes. The result is a light, thirst-quenching, low-alcohol cocktail. Vermouth can also be enjoyed on its own over ice for an elegant, no-fuss aperitif.

Disaronno Fizz: Fizzes are, by nature, low-alcohol cocktails. Made with amaretto, sparkling water and a splash of lemon juice, the Disaronno Fizz is fresh, lightly sweet and very easy to drink. See the Disaronno Fizz recipe.

Torino Fizz: Another excellent vermouth-based cocktail, the Torino Fizz is made with prosecco. For a lighter version, use a low-alcohol sparkling wine. See the Torino Fizz recipe.

Limoncello Spritz: A fresh, sunny cocktail that combines limoncello, prosecco and soda. For an even lighter or alcohol-free version, it works very well with alcohol-free prosecco or even alcohol-free limoncello (we have a few suggestions in the next section), without losing its bright, refreshing citrus character. See the Limoncello Spritz recipe.

Bellini Bottega: The Bellini Bottega is a simplified version of the great Venetian classic. Here, peach juice and prosecco are all you need for a fresh, fruity cocktail, without peach purée. As with the other recipes, the prosecco can easily be replaced with a low-alcohol sparkling wine. See the Bellini Bottega recipe.

Beer and Alcohol-Free Drinks

After low-ABV cocktails, it's time for alcohol-free options, just as varied: sparkling wines, beer, mocktails, limoncello and even alcohol-free mead. Plenty of interesting alternatives for every occasion.

3 Alcohol-Free Sparkling Wines to Discover

Moderato Colombard

Made entirely from Colombard grapes, this alcohol-free sparkling wine offers notes of lightly candied fruit, almond and a fine, lively mousse. A versatile option, equally suited to aperitif or desserts. Available at the SAQ.

Bu Alcohol-Free Sparkling Rosé

A very successful alcohol-free rosé sparkling wine, with floral notes and aromas of small red berries. Light and pleasant, perfect for aperitif or brunch. Available in grocery stores.

Moderato and Bu Alcohol-Free offer drier profiles, with residual sugar levels of 31 g/L and 32 g/L respectively.

Bottega 0 - Alcohol-Free Sparkling Wine

Sweeter than traditional sparkling wines and proseccos, with 120 g/L of residual sugar, this alcohol-free sparkling wine nonetheless delivers fine bubbles and appealing fruity notes. Ideal with fruit-based desserts or as a substitute for sparkling wine in cocktails, spritzes and mimosas. Available at the SAQ.

Beer, Mocktails and Alcohol-Free Spirits

Pallini Limonzero

A very successful alcohol-free limoncello, distinguished by its balance between bright citrus acidity and gentle sweetness, without excess. Delicious over ice, as a digestif or topped with sparkling water, and it also works beautifully in an alcohol-free limoncello spritz.

Versatile, it can also be used in alcohol-free cocktails or even in cooking, especially in desserts such as a reimagined sgroppino. Available at the SAQ.

Cru d'Abeille Alcohol-Free Sparkling Mead - Verbena & Grapefruit

A true favourite, these alcohol-free sparkling meads are carried by a delicate honeyed sweetness and well-defined aromas. The verbena-grapefruit, cranberry-hibiscus and lime-cucumber flavours offer fresh, aromatic profiles that are very enjoyable as an aperitif. These meads are 100% local and beautifully reflect Québec know-how, from field to glass. Available in grocery stores and at various retailers.

Harrington non-alcoholic tonic cocktails

We already loved Harrington sparkling waters, and now this Quebec company is offering us non-alcoholic tonic cocktails. With a hint of bitterness, no added sugar, sweetener, preservatives or artificial flavours, three flavours are available at over 400 outlets in Quebec:

• cucumber, wintergreen and gentian
• sea buckthorn, juniper berries and gentian.
• and the great favorite, apples, sweet clover and gentian.

Asahi Super Dry 0.0%: We were already big fans of the fresh, thirst-quenching Asahi Super Dry, and the alcohol-free version follows in the same vein. Available in selected grocery and convenience stores.

Barr Fly Pina Colada: Non-alcoholic ready-to-drinks aren't always successful, but we really liked Barr Fly's Pina Colada, which perfectly reproduces the cocktail's coconut and pineapple flavors. Without undoing the goal of drinking less alcohol, you could also add a little rum in order to make a quick alcoholic pina colada cocktail. Available in grocery and convenience stores.

Jardin Verde Gin Tonic Zero: This mocktail is all about freshness, with strong flavors of cucumber and basil. A great non-alcoholic alternative to gin and tonic. Available at the SAQ.