I'm teetotal but I got 'drunk' on non-alcohol wine & beer - and no hangover (2024)

I'VE never been that bothered about boozing.

Chugging snakebites at university - an odd concoction of cider and lager - I tried my best to fit in, but a night on the alcohol never ended well.

While my friends thought nothing of necking a bottle of wine for 'pre-drinks', my one attempt to do the same left me in bed sozzled.

And don't mention the hangover - they were brutal and I used to dread it. Then, once I had kids, dealing with them and a sore head just didn't seem worth it.

As I got older, I went from heavy nights out to enjoying a civilised glass of wine or two with dinner.

But the strong stuff has never been something I've craved and I knew it was a vice I wouldn't miss.

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So much so - and call me a bore - but I recently made the decision to go teetotal.

And I'm not the only one to have made that choice - Davina McCall, Susanna Reid and Tom Holland are also famously teetotal, with the Spider-Man actor saying that quitting alcohol is the "best thing I've ever done".

In fact, 8.4 million people in the UK class themselves as being teetotal, with one in five under-25s in that category - the highest figure in that age group on record.

But there's one thing I do miss about drinking, and that's the buzz I used to get after a couple of glasses of the strong stuff.

It made me more confident and more comfortable in social situations, something non-alcoholic drinks simply can't, and have never tried, to achieve.

That is, until now.

There's been a huge rise in the amount of non-alcoholic options on the market which claim to be able to recreate my sought after boozy buzz.

They contain adaptogens - various plants and herbs - which help relax the body, reduce stress and even "liven" you up before a big night out.

I tried six different tipples which claim they can do all of the above - all without a hangover.

And turning 40 just recently, could there be a better time to let my hair down a little?

G SPOT

First up, G Spot - the soft drink range created by TV actress Gillian Anderson - which are "filled to the brim with life-enhancing adaptogens", according to the website.

They are low calorie, (the Red Berries option is just 32 calories a can), caffeine free and have no added sugar either.

I tried the one called Lift which costs £3 a can - made from Red Berries and Sarawak peppercorn.

It's said to "uplift your spirit, sip by sip" and claims to be able to ensure "you feel un-apologetically you". It sounds too good to be true.

It also contains juniper, coriander, angelica, cordyceps, maca root extract, bacopa and vitamins B3, B6, B2, B5, B1.

I really didn't know what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised.

After just quarter of a can I felt a buzz brewing, and by the end of my first drink, I could definitely notice a marked difference.

I felt calmer, relaxed and more confident in myself. Taste wise, it was a bit sickly, but it did have a nice lingering after taste.

But for me, the effects of the drink didn't last long enough - only half an hour or so - unlike real alcohol which gives that fuzzy feeling for much longer.

BUZZ RATING - 4/5

• G Spot, Lift, Red Berries and Sarawak, £3 - Buy here

G SPOT SOOTHE

Next up was the G Spot Soothe option next - scarlet apple and sage flavours, packed with "adaptogens and nootropics", all for £3 a pop.

This one is designed to promote a more zen state - but I'm afraid I just couldn't get past the taste.

The sage overpowers any other flavour and I felt I was drinking an unpleasant herbal concoction.

I tried to push through to get the full effects, and did begin to feel a slight tingling after just a few sips, but I simply couldn't drink the whole can so I poured it down the sink.

BUZZ RATING - 1/5

• G Spot, Soothe, Scarlet apple and Sage, £3 - Buy here

THREE SPIRIT SPARK

This alcohol free sparkling rosé alternativeis made from "exquisitely rare cold brewed teas, British fruits and innovative ferments".

It's packed with schisandra berry, guayusa and cayenne pepper - all of which provide a natural caffeine high for "euphoric feels and focus".

I was expecting it to taste like a nice subtle pink but I was wrong.

I opened up more, chatted more confidently and my inhibitions almost disappeared.

Sarah Bull

It was almost astringently herbal and bitter - so much so that it actually took my breath away... for all the wrong reasons.

I think it could be a good option if you're a fan of herbal teas - it definitely tastes along those lines - and if you don't think of it as a non-alcoholic wine alternative.

BUZZ RATING- 1/5

Three Spirit Blurred Vines, Spark, £16.99 - Buy here

THREE SPIRIT LIVENER

I had a lot more success with Three Spirit's Livener - which you can use with a mixer.

I teamed this with tonic water and lots of ice, and I really liked the combination.

This one contains "guayusa, guava leaf and schisandra" as well as "big flavours from vibrant berries, bright aromatics and heat".

It was the most palatable drink in my opinion, and it didn't have that herbal taste I disliked in so many of the other options.

While they suggest adding grapefruit, I didn't have any so I popped in some kiwi instead which gave the drink a citrus-style punch.

I had two drinks before going out for dinner, and definitely started to feel the effects as I sat down for my meal.

The heat of the drink made its way into my stomach and gave me an enjoyable warm feeling, as well as a boost of confidence too.

I can definitely see a lot of potential with the Livener - some delicious mocktails could be made with this one - and no hangover the next day either.

BUZZ RATING - 4/5

• Three Spirit, Livener, £24.99 - Buy here

SENITA RED

Similar to the Livener was Sentia Red.

Sentia is made from a "revolutionary formula designed toelevate your mindby harnessing the power of your brain's GABA levels -the secret behind alcohol's widespread appeal".

I mixed mine with a soft fizzy apple drink, which gave it a fruity twist, and once again added ice.

Not only did it have that herbal taste about it but the after taste was also strange.

However, it did feel warming, which would probably be enjoyed more in winter than summer.

And while it did take slightly longer to feel the effects of this one, it came eventually.

I was chattier, more confident and my and my inhibitions almost disappeared.

BUZZ RATING - 3/5

• Sentia Spirits, Red, £29.50 - Buy here

COLLIDER UNWIND

Lastly, I tried Collider's beer alternative - the Unwind alcohol-free nootropic lager.

This was the only beer alcohol alternative one I tried, but it was one of the best drinks I tested.

According to the website, Unwind "pours a radiant golden hue with a frothy white head, offering a blend of floral hops and citrus zest, underpinned by biscuity malt".

I couldn't wait to pop the bottle.

And what I liked the most is how much this one tasted like mainstream beer.

Halfway into the bottle I started to feel a buzz, which lasted for some time afterwards.

If you're looking for something you can enjoy with friends who are drinking alcohol, this is a really good option.

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BUZZ RATING - 5/5

• Collider, Unwind, £27 for 12 bottles - Buy here