Most zero-proof drink lists are full of fruity mocktails and sparkling water dressed up with a garnish. This isn't that list. This is for the guy who wants something he'd actually reach for at the end of a long day.
Why the Ritual Matters More Than the Alcohol
Ask most men why they drink whiskey and the honest answer isn't the buzz. It's the pause. The slow pour. The glass in the hand. The five minutes that belong to no one else after a long day.
That ritual doesn't require alcohol. It requires something worth pouring.
The drinks on this list earn that. No juice boxes. No over-sweetened mocktails. Drinks that feel like a decision, not a consolation prize.
1. Non-Alcoholic Whiskey Neat — No. 86
Start here. No. 86 is a non-alcoholic whiskey built specifically for whiskey drinkers. Oak, vanilla, dry finish. Pour it over one large ice cube or neat in a rocks glass. This is the ritual, unchanged.
Best for: the end-of-day pour, the drink you want without the next-morning cost.
2. Non-Alcoholic Old Fashioned
No. 86, bitters, simple syrup, one large ice cube, orange peel. Two minutes. One of the best drinks you can make without alcohol. Full recipe here.
Best for: when you want a proper cocktail and you don't want to explain yourself.
3. Non-Alcoholic Whiskey Highball
2 oz No. 86 over ice, topped with quality sparkling water. Squeeze of lemon. That's it. Clean, easy, satisfying. The Japanese highball is one of the most respected whiskey drinks in the world for a reason — it lets the spirit speak.
Best for: warm weather, long evenings, drinks that don't need to be complicated.
4. Non-Alcoholic Whiskey Sour
No. 86, fresh lemon, simple syrup, egg white if you want the foam. Shake hard, strain, done. Full recipe here. This one works well for social situations — it looks like a real cocktail because it is one.
Best for: dinner parties, social drinks, when you don't want the conversation about why you're not drinking.
5. Sparkling Water Done Right
Not all sparkling water is equal. Topo Chico, Pellegrino, or a quality mineral water in a proper glass with ice and a lime wedge is a genuinely satisfying drink. It's not trying to be whiskey — that's the point. Sometimes the ritual is just having something cold and good in your hand.
Best for: hot days, casual settings, when you want nothing but still want something.
6. Non-Alcoholic Beer — Athletic Brewing
If beer is your drink, Athletic Brewing is the standard. Their Run Wild IPA and Free Wave Hazy IPA are genuinely good beers. Not "good for NA" — just good. Worth having in the fridge alongside No. 86.
Best for: casual settings, sports, situations where a rocks glass would feel out of place.
What to Avoid
Overly sweet mocktails. Anything that tastes like a Shirley Temple or a fruit punch is going to feel like a downgrade. That's not the goal.
NA spirits that taste like syrup. Some brands in the NA space are sweet enough to be dessert. Read the tasting notes before you buy. If the only flavor descriptors are "honey" and "caramel," move on.
Drinks that require an explanation. The best zero-proof drinks look like real drinks because they are real drinks. You shouldn't have to tell anyone you're not drinking unless you want to.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best zero-proof drink for someone who likes whiskey?
No. 86 — built specifically for whiskey drinkers. Sip it neat, over ice, or in a classic cocktail.
Are zero-proof drinks worth it?
Yes, if the product is good. The best zero-proof drinks aren't about deprivation — they're about choosing what you put in your body without losing the ritual that made drinking worth doing in the first place.
Do zero-proof drinks taste like the real thing?
The best ones get close. No. 86 won't taste exactly like bourbon. But it earns its place in the glass on its own terms.
What do you drink when you're not drinking?
Something worth drinking. That's the whole point.
Start with No. 86.
A non-alcoholic whiskey for people who still want the ritual. Oak, vanilla, dry finish. No compromise.
→ Shop No. 86 — from $35.99
If you're exploring the non-alcoholic whiskey space, No. 86 is worth a look — crafted for sipping, not just mixing.