These glasses are suitable for all types of wine, so theres no need for separate stemware specifically for red, white, or sparkling wines. We enjoyed it with seltzer or tonic, for a subtler rose taste. Yet the drink still tastes juicy, thanks to the fruity watermelon and strawberry flavors. Ingredients: water, sugar, fermented and distilled hemp, wormwood, angelica root, ginger, sage, saffron, orange peel, Douglas fir extract, natural flavors, glycerol, citric acid, caramel color, tri-sodium citrate, lactic acid. Each bottle serves two, and the only downside is that you cant easily save half of your drink for another time. Note, however, that some have warnings to avoid them if youre pregnant or on certain medications. Taste is, of course, subjective. Serving suggestion: Serve over ice with an orange rind. We enjoyed its subtly building spicy finish, but it may be too savory for some. The drinks puckery mouthfeel, color, and opacity reminded us of hibiscus tea or an umeboshi drink, and its aroma and savoriness recalled tomato juice. How wed drink it: This piquant, coffee-flavored spirit is meant to be sipped neat. We thought the drink was invigorating, but it lacked the velvety richness we want in an amaro. If youre skipping alcohol entirely, search for nonalcoholic bitters. The brown glass bottles feature pastel, art deco designs depicting enticing, escapist scenes of river sailing, sunsets, and mountains. Theres nothing wrong with that, but you may find yourself chugging through those more quickly. This article was edited by Gabriella Gershenson and Marguerite Preston. Some had extra touches like corks or resealable caps, which we appreciated. We can all linger over our drinks now and mine can open up with time. Some NA beverages are sugary and fizzy like soda. Seedlip Spice 94: Spice 94 was pretty one-note. Sacr is a mahogany color and is slightly thicker than water. Nightcap is more herbal and tangy than bitter, and the spices create a warming effect while you drink. In 2022, we checked back in with Bainbridge and Watters, and we spoke with Louis Borrelli, co-founder of the online NA retailer No & Low, to see what was new and notable in the NA space. Some people in recovery may want to avoid NA drinks that resemble alcohol, since they can trigger a relapse. It looks, smells, and tastes like a concentrated berry juice, and it reminded us of medicinal elderflower syrup. Tasting notes: This zippy drink tastes just like a funky pineapple juice. Its reminiscent of an amaro, accented with orange, cardamom, pomegranate, and fennel. Tasting notes: Contrary to what the name would have you believe, the Hella Bitters & Soda Bittersweet Spritz has a lot more going on than a bitters and soda. It got lost in mixers, but it may work as a building block for cocktails. And, true to its name, it made us feel alivea rare and welcome sensation these days. Taste is deeply personal, but there are key components that make a drink feel balanced, namely a harmonious blend of acidity, sweetness, bitterness, salinity, and water. Ghia Le Spritz: Wed drink Ghia Le Spritz if it was handed to us, but this premixed version of Ghia tastes more like chalky dried ginger than the fresh stuff. Of the NA spritzes we tried, this carbonated, ready-to-serve version from For Bitter For Worse tasted closest to a classic Aperol spritz. Ingredients: water, British sea herb extract blend, lemon juice from concentrate, natural flavors, malic acid, Cornish sea salt, potassium sorbate. For simpler but still delicious recipes, peruse Julia Bainbridges Good Drinks. How wed drink it: On a hot day, pair this rhubarb-forward spritz with chips or other salty snacks. We consulted ingredients lists and looked for drinks that promised more than one-note flavors and aromas. An important note: Many of these drinks contain herbal extracts and come with health warnings for people who are pregnant, who are taking certain medications, or who have other medical concerns. But we couldnt get over an association with floor cleaner. Serving suggestion: Serve with ginger ale or soda over ice with lime. Its tasty and sweeter than many NA options, but the flavors arent as nuanced as the more-layered, complex herbal drinks we tried. The drink excites your palate and challenges you to figure out what exactly makes it so dang deliciousand why you cant stop drinking it. Serving suggestion: Serve 2 ounces over ice with tonic or ginger beer, and garnish with a sprig of rosemary. (We also tried Kin Spritz and liked it best of the three. Whatever your preferences, these drinks are easy to serve and stunning to look at. Thats not a bad thing, but the lighter flavors disappeared in mixers. The flavors are more pronounced than in many other drinks we tried: The spritz tastes like cinnamon bubblegum with a minty finish. This bottle doesnt need to be refrigerated, so you can keep it on a bar cart for up to three months. And all of the experts we spoke with preferred unique drinks because they offer a different experience. How wed drink it: This hops-flavored drink is a refresher: Wed pop one open while sitting around the campfire or to cool our palates after a hot and dusty summer hike. You may choose a nonalcoholic drink for a host of reasons, whether youre sober, avoiding alcohol for medical or religious reasons, pregnant, driving home, or just wanting to avoid a hangover. Tasting notes: The Pathfinder Hemp & Roots deeply bitter root beer flavor, akin to an amaro, grew on us as we drank it. The combination is refreshing, often free or very cheap (dont forget to tip your bartender! Alcohol has a signature burndifficult to replicatethat helps slow down the drinker. Poured poolside, perhaps? Julia Bainbridge, author of Good Drinks: Alcohol-Free Recipes for When Youre Not Drinking for Whatever Reason, has reported on how most drinks incorporate it. Wed say it was a hit. When Im having a cocktail, my experience is so much broader than just the alcohol thats affecting me. If you arent buying liquor anyway, and you want to re-create an experience similar to drinking, these beverages may be worth the money. The tall, stunning bottle, which has a real cork, is a bit hard to fit in a fridge, but hopefully it will last a long time. If a buzz is what you seek, Kin drinks boast mood-lifting additives (the company calls them euphorics), though we couldnt fully evaluate those effects. 2 feels lush to drink. by Michael Sullivan, Emily Han, and Nick Guy. We didnt try it for this update, however. The packaging feels elegant and timeless: A stately clear glass bottle with a stopper shows off the cloudy, mauve-pink liquid inside. It tastes like artificial caramel, mushrooms, licorice, and chai spices. It reminded us of chamomile tea or yerba mate, with a very light fizz. It tastes like a chili-dusted watermelon Jolly Rancher. Its also among the most expensive. Gnista Floral Wormwood: Another drink recommended by experts over the years, Swedens Gnista is finally available in the US. Tasting notes: Rassvda Rose Bergamots rose aroma and flavor dominate the drink, but the bittersweet bergamot and herbaceous lemongrass cut through. Bitter, sour, or spicy flavors can achieve a similar effect. Kin Dream Light: Although Dream Light comes close to resembling an earthy chai concentrate in color, aroma, and taste, the sour and saccharine flavors overpower the warming spices in this drink. Weve found that dedicated online retailers carry most of the available NA options in the US, if youd like to browse. We appreciated its complexity, but the prevailing grassy, bitter notes may be too strong for some people. You dont need any mixers, and its a perfect amount for sharing. The liquid inside is Pepto-pink and translucent, with big bubbles. And we detected a forward hit of sugar, perhaps from the monk fruit (which serves as a sweetener). The nonalcoholic beverages category is huge, varied, and expanding rapidlywe noticed over 40 new products in 2022. Three Spirit bottles are short and slender, but the drinks are concentrated enough that a little goes a long way. Serving suggestion: Serve 2 ounces plain or over ice with tonic. Kin High Rhode: Though Kins packaging is sleek, the contents dont deliver. Whatever your reason for foraying into the area of nonalcoholic beverages, you dont need to be a mixologist to enjoy the drinks in this guide: Theyre either ready to serve or need just one mixer, such as tonic or ginger ale. Plus, several nonalcoholic cocktail books can help you with more-advanced preparations. You can order a smaller sample pack to taste all of the companys flavors (though we found the other two to be funkier and tea-like). This stuff is a natural substitute for gin, but it can also stand alone. This drink isnt very fizzy, but we didnt mind; the drinks complexity was exciting enough. Tasting notes: Three of the experts we spoke with in 2021 recommended that we try Sacr because of its uniqueness. But those flavors overpower the more-nuanced ingredients, resulting in a drink that feels simpler than other aperitifs we tried. As with some of the other less-sweet beverages we tried, with this one its hard to dissociate these flavors from a cooking application. To understand why certain flavors work together, we consulted The Flavor Bible: The Essential Guide to Culinary Creativity, Based on the Wisdom of Americas Most Imaginative Chefs, by Karen Page. See Seedlips FAQ page for more information. The flavor doesnt linger, thoughthe drink has an applegrape juice finish, and mixers flatten the bite. Ingredients: carbonated water, sugar, allulose, natural flavors, ascorbic acid. We got grassy notes of fresh spinach and salty preserved lemon. Its a good option if youre looking for something juicy and floral, and you dont mind a milder drink. To some, the sweet and licorice elements clashed, leaving a saccharine aftertaste. Seedlip Grove 42: We were hoping that as we drank Grove 42, the Japanese sansho pepper would deliver the cool prickle that Seedlip promised in its marketing. Often, to make up for the lack of alcohol, creators of NA drinks carefully craft them and pack them with tantalizing ingredients. You can also order most drinks directly from the companies that make them. This tart, earthy, and slightly sweet drink has notes of dried porcini mushroom, prune, maple, mustard, tropical fruit, turmeric, and ginger. It has a lighter fizz compared with other De Soi flavors, and its a cloudy mucus-greenwed stick to serving this in the can. Although we appreciate that large-format bottled NA drinks are versatile and shareable, theres a time and a place for a single-serving drink. Its perfect for closing out the night or to sip while sitting by the fire, ideally with a good book. The easiest place to find them may be at retailers like No & Low and The Zero Proof, which offer shipping within the US. Harmony Smoked Apritif: Billed as a spinoff of mezcal, the Harmony Smoked Apritif missed the mark for us. Bonbuz has another flavor, called Slowburn, which promises extra heat. Even so, it may be polarizing for some palates. We want a drink to do something for us, he said. Marilyn said, It feels a little like Im drinking the cooking liquid for a braised beef shank, but ultra-concentrated.. When you taste how companies have worked [their] foundational product into a single-serve RTD, it can give you a better sense of how the maker intends for that first product to be used, Bainbridge said. Instead, the Rhubarb-Hibiscus tastes earthy, like a watered-down beet juice, with a hint of citrus. Kin recommends pairing this drink with oat milk; we didnt have that on hand, so we tried mixing it with soy and regular milk, and it curdled in both. How wed drink it: Reach for Livener if you want to keep the party going. This drink is intriguingly light; the citrus tastes more bitter than sweet, like zest versus juice. You shouldnt feel limited to what we include in this guide (but if you are sober, check to make sure drinks are truly zero proof). How wed drink it: Partake in this tart, tannic drink while nibbling on cheese or olives. Proteaus tall, gorgeous bottles stand out and lend the drink an air of sophistication and intrigue (please transport me to whatever lush, enchanted forest is depicted on these labels). The flavor reminded us of a minty tea, with notes of lemongrass and a sour aftertaste. The orange flavors are subtle and sweet compared with those of the more sour, bold citrus-flavored drinks we tried. But they were so intense that we struggled to drink this. The earthy and molasses flavors also weighed it down. Thats the reason why I have these things. Think of Fiore as a lighter, livelier mulled wine. (The company doesnt call this an imitation gin, but Pentire Adrift does have some characteristic gin flavors.) We sampled the companys other flavors, and we found them to be more savory and bitter than we like. Its subtly briny, and the verdant and citrusy noteswe tasted rosemary, sage, juniper, pine, and lemoncomplement the salinity. As corny as it sounds, when we drank this concoction, we felt as if a sea breeze were washing over us. During her time at Wirecutter, she reported on various topics including sports bras, board games, and light bulbs. Curious Elixir No. 3: The pale, slightly effervescent No. See more recipes here. Learn more. But then it just tasted like extra-spicy ginger ale. But the spicy-citrusy flavors meld together seamlessly, and this drink pulled us in again and again. Some companies make both large-format and single-serving versions of their products. The dark bottles feel elevated, compared with cans. When it comes to enjoying the bottled nonalcoholic beverages we tested, there are some caveats. Taking a small sip is like throwing back a tequila shot or diving into a freezing pool: Its a full-body experience, a shock, a thrill, something you want to never do again and yet cant get enough of. Adding some freshness to it with your own ingredients is very important, said Han Suk Cho, a bartender who specializes in nonalcoholic drinks and the founder of Zero Proof Bevs. Single-serving, or ready to drink (RTD), nonalcoholic cocktails come premade with mixers and some added sweetness. Available in the US: Europe and the UK are churning out some delicious-sounding NA drinks and mixers, and more are becoming available in the US. It has the same sourness as the Lemon Verbena, but with a warmer flavor profile, tasting overwhelmingly of sage. How wed drink it: This rich, warming drink is akin to an amaro. But we mainly tasted lemongrass and sweet citrus, with some background notes of grass and lime. If you want something super-concentrated, you can sip the Caleo Dark & Spicy over ice. Rassvda Black Ginger: Black Ginger was the most savory drink we tried. But the Casamara Club sodas are very, very light, with just a whisper of flavoring and sugar. It tasted and smelled overpoweringly of allspice, as described, with a faint pine aroma and the same acidic zing we tasted in other Seedlip bottles. But weve also noticed an uptick in dedicated NA storeslike Spirited Away in New York City and Minus Moonshine in Brooklyn, New Yorkand in NA spirits at our local wine shops (shout-out to Elemental Spirits in Atlanta, where I live). Although the company recommends pairing the drink with tonic or ginger ale, we enjoyed this one with seltzer, too. This drink also didnt have the mouth-watering effect of some of the other beverages we tried. And we appreciate that these, like all of the brands flavors, are ready to pour. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Weve tasted 69 of these balanced, complex drinks since 2021including 35 new bottles and cans in 2022to find the most unique, mature, and delicious ones for sipping and savoring. How wed drink it: This simple but tasty bittersweet drink can be a go-to for working the room at a networking event or for sipping while sitting in on a Zoom reunion. Bubbles from added tonic ratcheted up the tingling sensation. You may like this drink if you go for forest-floor flavors, and we should note that several experts recommended it to us. Figlia Fiore has a juicy sweetness that makes it palatable without being saccharineor boring. We picked up on notes of sugar snap pea, hay, thyme, and mint, as well as Meyer lemon. 4 as its take on an Aperol spritz. We list the ingredients of each pick in this guide. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. Serving suggestion: Enjoy chilled straight from the bottle or over ice with an orange twist. Maybe its intentional, but this one is giving us fizzed mushroom tea. But unlike some fermented drinks, this one doesnt have any bubbles or fizz. These layers of flavor play off one another, blossoming as you sip or eat or lounge. But Wildreds holds its ownits less syrupy and bitter than Campari, and it packs a tangier bite. As with the Figlia Fiore, wed happily enjoy Wilfreds Bittersweet in a range of settings. For Bitter For Worse Smoky No. Anna is a mentor at Girls Write Now and a member of the Online News Association. De Soi Champignon Dreams: Ironically, this mushroom-inspired drink does not taste like mushrooms, but rather like a green tea Snapple/strawberry Fanta monster thats just too saccharine. If I dont feel like doing all the work, I can just open it and pour it.. Though we picked up on notes of apricot, rhubarb, and champagne vinegar, we were overwhelmed by evocations of canned peach syrup and vegetable stock. Tasting notes: In the Aurora Elixirs Pomelo Sage, hops play a supporting yet crucial role to balance out intense piney aromas and delicate, pithy grapefruit flavors. Popping the cap gives the chance for a little exhale. Aurora Elixirs Yuzu Orange Blossom: The Yuzu Orange Blossom flavor is inoffensive, but it isnt as refreshing as the Pomelo Sageit has an indistinct sweetness, a flat citrus flavor, and a dull pepperiness that is more musty than spicy. Or drink it alongside a hearty meal, to cut through the richness. The RTD option can be an easy entry point for people looking to explore nonalcoholic options. 
Its a great stand-in for Campari, and frankly, wed rather drink the Wilfreds. And Derek Browns Mindful Mixology offers some fascinating history behind the NA drinks, as well as recipes and tips for making no- and low-alcohol cocktails. Tasting notes: For something with such a simple ingredients list, Pentire Adrift dazzles. But the drink isnt as fruit-drenched as a Spindrift, and its hard to beat Spindrift. The ruby-red liquid glows through a cone-shaped glass bottle thats unique among drinks weve seen, and akin to that of an Italian bitter soda. Tasting notes: Spritzes are fizzy wine cocktails often served as aperitifs before a meal, and theyre usually made with prosecco, a bitter liqueur, and some sparkling water. NB, the company donates part of its proceeds to Partnership to End Addiction and the environmental organization 1% for the Planet. All of the experts we spoke with highlighted bitterness as a key element. Notes of citrus, rose, cranberry, ginger, and nutmeg are perfectly balanced. 
How wed drink it: Drink this lightly spiced, citrusy drink alongside Thai takeout, while watching a movie, or sitting on a blanket for a park hang at sunset. Yet even though its similar in hue, it lacks the caramelized flavors and boozy burn. Though De Soi touts a lot of adaptogenic benefits, we really just care that it tastes good. A tingly, warming spicinesssimilar to that of Sichuan peppercornbuilds at the back of the throat and settles into the chest. The Fiores gingery flavors also make it great for a toddy (the company provides a recipe on its site). Because its concentrated and very sweet, we think it needs to be diluted, despite the fact that the company says you can drink it as a shot. Complex flavors: Herbal, botanical ingredients can help to create a more-nuanced drink. Hundreds of beverages, from imitation spirits to near-beers to simple seltzers, fall under the nonalcoholic drinks umbrella. Flavors are concentrated, and the drink is full of big tropical tastes: Coconut and pineapple are front and center, and a whisper of nutmeg hits later on. This drink has a long and varied list of herbal ingredients, but we primarily tasted notes of shiitake mushroom, soy sauce, iodine, anise, mole, and chicory. We include some options for ready-to-drink bitters and soda NA drinks as well. Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right (the first time). How wed drink it: Seedlips light flavors make for some pretty easy drinking, so we think this bottle is a good starter for those who are seeking nonalcoholic options. Casmara Club Sera: The Sera has a more warming flavor profile. In between tasting, we sipped water and ate crackers to cleanse our palates. Its always worth doing a quick search or calling your local liquor store to see what it has in stock. Tasting notes: Vibey, floral, and aromatic, the De Soi Purple Lune is densely layered with surprising flavors. In 2022, I used the same tasting protocols to evaluate new drinks. We couldnt stop sipping this drink. The clear glass bottle features a festive, colorful label that pops, with a nice wooden top. Serving suggestion: Serve over ice with tonic. Ingredients: carbonated filtered water; organic pineapple, lime, and orange juice concentrates; organic extracts of ginger, jalapeo, ancho, chili, damiana, rosemary, star anise; smoked sea salt, herbs and spices. We wanted to include beverages that looked beautiful and wouldnt feel out of place on a bar cart or a dining table, as well those that would make a good gift. But for those who dont love shrubs, the taste of champagne vinegar (the second ingredient) may be overpowering. We found the Floral Wormwood to be the more drinkable of the two Gnista options. Some of the maple comes through at the end of a pull, like the welcome relief of a Brachs caramel candy melting on your tongue. Cho recommends adding simple garnishes, such as fresh juice or herbsa grapefruit wheel, a sprig of mint, a squirt of lime. Bottom notes of herbal ginseng, earthy beet, and tart pomegranate round it out. 4: Curious bills No. With rosemary, licorice, and cola flavors, it feels both bracing and grounding. Some may appreciate its smokiness, but we found it tasted more musty than aromatic. We have barware recommendations for outfitting a stylish and functional bar at home, with options for every skill level. Its like eating vegan ramen when youre an omnivore and telling people that its not good because it doesnt taste like meat. That said, if youre looking for a direct replacement, there are many alcohol mimics out there, including faux gins, whiskies, rums, and tequilas. Although the tea flavor was strong, it faded as we drank. To learn about what makes a great drink in general, we dove into several mixology books, including Liquid Intelligence: The Art and Science of the Perfect Cocktail, by Dave Arnold; Zero: A New Approach to Non-Alcoholic Drinks, from The Alinea Group; Drink What You Want, by John deBary; and Mindful Mixology, by Derek Brown. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. We thought it clashed with tonic and instead preferred it mixed with ginger ale. And of course, both time and effort go into developing drinks. It was one of the few we tasted that created a warming sensation that mimics the burn of alcohol. Serving suggestion: Pour 2 ounces with ounce fresh lemon juice over ice. Among the drinks we tried, they seemed closest to a bottled version of bitters and soda. Three Spirit Social Elixir: The woodsy Three Spirit Social Elixir reminded us most of an amaro or fortified wine. Diluting with tonic or sparkling water may mellow the flavors. For Bitter For Worse The Saskatoon: The deep purple Saskatoon is distinctive among the winey drinks we tried. All of Seedlips bottles are gorgeous, if a bit cumbersome to pour from.
How wed drink it: Drink this lightly spiced, citrusy drink alongside Thai takeout, while watching a movie, or sitting on a blanket for a park hang at sunset. Yet even though its similar in hue, it lacks the caramelized flavors and boozy burn. Though De Soi touts a lot of adaptogenic benefits, we really just care that it tastes good. A tingly, warming spicinesssimilar to that of Sichuan peppercornbuilds at the back of the throat and settles into the chest. The Fiores gingery flavors also make it great for a toddy (the company provides a recipe on its site). Because its concentrated and very sweet, we think it needs to be diluted, despite the fact that the company says you can drink it as a shot. Complex flavors: Herbal, botanical ingredients can help to create a more-nuanced drink. Hundreds of beverages, from imitation spirits to near-beers to simple seltzers, fall under the nonalcoholic drinks umbrella. Flavors are concentrated, and the drink is full of big tropical tastes: Coconut and pineapple are front and center, and a whisper of nutmeg hits later on. This drink has a long and varied list of herbal ingredients, but we primarily tasted notes of shiitake mushroom, soy sauce, iodine, anise, mole, and chicory. We include some options for ready-to-drink bitters and soda NA drinks as well. Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right (the first time). How wed drink it: Seedlips light flavors make for some pretty easy drinking, so we think this bottle is a good starter for those who are seeking nonalcoholic options. Casmara Club Sera: The Sera has a more warming flavor profile. In between tasting, we sipped water and ate crackers to cleanse our palates. Its always worth doing a quick search or calling your local liquor store to see what it has in stock. Tasting notes: Vibey, floral, and aromatic, the De Soi Purple Lune is densely layered with surprising flavors. In 2022, I used the same tasting protocols to evaluate new drinks. We couldnt stop sipping this drink. The clear glass bottle features a festive, colorful label that pops, with a nice wooden top. Serving suggestion: Serve over ice with tonic. Ingredients: carbonated filtered water; organic pineapple, lime, and orange juice concentrates; organic extracts of ginger, jalapeo, ancho, chili, damiana, rosemary, star anise; smoked sea salt, herbs and spices. We wanted to include beverages that looked beautiful and wouldnt feel out of place on a bar cart or a dining table, as well those that would make a good gift. But for those who dont love shrubs, the taste of champagne vinegar (the second ingredient) may be overpowering. We found the Floral Wormwood to be the more drinkable of the two Gnista options. Some of the maple comes through at the end of a pull, like the welcome relief of a Brachs caramel candy melting on your tongue. Cho recommends adding simple garnishes, such as fresh juice or herbsa grapefruit wheel, a sprig of mint, a squirt of lime. Bottom notes of herbal ginseng, earthy beet, and tart pomegranate round it out. 4: Curious bills No. With rosemary, licorice, and cola flavors, it feels both bracing and grounding. Some may appreciate its smokiness, but we found it tasted more musty than aromatic. We have barware recommendations for outfitting a stylish and functional bar at home, with options for every skill level. Its like eating vegan ramen when youre an omnivore and telling people that its not good because it doesnt taste like meat. That said, if youre looking for a direct replacement, there are many alcohol mimics out there, including faux gins, whiskies, rums, and tequilas. Although the tea flavor was strong, it faded as we drank. To learn about what makes a great drink in general, we dove into several mixology books, including Liquid Intelligence: The Art and Science of the Perfect Cocktail, by Dave Arnold; Zero: A New Approach to Non-Alcoholic Drinks, from The Alinea Group; Drink What You Want, by John deBary; and Mindful Mixology, by Derek Brown. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. We thought it clashed with tonic and instead preferred it mixed with ginger ale. And of course, both time and effort go into developing drinks. It was one of the few we tasted that created a warming sensation that mimics the burn of alcohol. Serving suggestion: Pour 2 ounces with ounce fresh lemon juice over ice. Among the drinks we tried, they seemed closest to a bottled version of bitters and soda. Three Spirit Social Elixir: The woodsy Three Spirit Social Elixir reminded us most of an amaro or fortified wine. Diluting with tonic or sparkling water may mellow the flavors. For Bitter For Worse The Saskatoon: The deep purple Saskatoon is distinctive among the winey drinks we tried. All of Seedlips bottles are gorgeous, if a bit cumbersome to pour from.