The first panel to gather at the Ibis Styles hotel in London Bridge comprised: Antony Moss MW, qualifications director at the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET); Joyce Yu‐Hua Chou, translation project manager at the WSET; and Melita Kiely, editor of The Spirits Business and chair of The Global Spirits Masters Competitions, who led the group. The first panel to gather at the Ibis Styles hotel in London Bridge comprised: Antony Moss MW, qualifications director at the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET); Joyce Yu‐Hua Chou, translation project manager at the WSET; and Melita Kiely, editor of The Spirits Business and chair of The Global Spirits Masters Competitions, who led the group.

In the Non‐Alcoholic Dark ‘Spirit’ (less than 0.5% ABV) flight, Sober-Rum 0.0% went home with a coveted Gold medal for its “hint of nice butterscotch and caramel towards the end”. According to current UK government guidance, drinks that contain 0.05% ABV or less are labelled as alcohol-free, while drinks of up to 1.2% are labelled low alcohol. To put that into context, even a ripe banana can contain 0.5% alcohol. A second Master was awarded to Pallini Limonzero, which offered a “great lemon aroma” on the nose. “Excellent body and lemony taste that resembles limoncello greatly. Slight spiciness at the end, but overall great,” noted Prousaefs.Gold‐winning Ceder’s Wild was found to be “complex, with ginger and woody spice”. Smith said: “It mixes well and has good potential with soda, tonic, ginger ale, Coke.” Drinkers are switching out full-strength spirits for lower-ABV alternatives Although it’s very difficult to choose, marine was probably our favourite flavour of all. We also tried out our own combination and added ginger beer, which brought a bit of spiciness to the crisp marine botanical flavours. In the Lower‐Alcohol (26% to 30% ABV) round, meanwhile, Beefeater Botanics Lemon and and Ginger walked away with an impressive Gold medal. A large flight of Non‐Alcoholic White ‘Spirit’ (less than 0.5% ABV) delivered a pair of Master medallists. The drink is free from any animal products or derivatives. In addition the bottle, label and glue is also free from animal products. The third group consisted of: Rosie Lees, co‐founder and director of Nineteen94; Sara Jane Eichler, founder of Negroni Club UK; and Matt Chambers, spirits writer and co-founder of the Whisky for Everyone blog, who chaired.

In the following flight – Non‐Alcoholic Dark ‘Spirit’ (less than 0.5% ABV) – three Golds and three Silvers were awarded. The flight closed with 11 Silver medals, which included Betty Buzz Meyer Lemon Club Soda, Banks Herbarium and Pink Grapefruit Tonic, and White Tea & Calamansi Cold Brew Nitro Tea. We think it’s worth knowing that each Everleaf flavour has a similar viscosity to an alcoholic spirit and if like us, you’ve tried tons of alternatives, you’ll know this is no mean feat.Inspired by the biomes of the natural world, conservation biologist, bartender, and bar owner Paul Mathew created Everleaf drinks. Each Everleaf apéritif is crafted with sustainably sourced ingredients and designed to carry you to a specific place in nature: a crisp mountaintop, a lush forest, a refreshing Mediterranean landscape. A vibrant blend of 12 sustainably sourced botanicals carefully chosen to capture MOUNTAIN flavours including Cherry Blossom, Rosehip and Strawberry. Crafted for pink gin drinkers. This zero-ABV version of a traditional cream liqueur was developed for sipping, and Kiely’s panel noted the “vanilla aroma, custard‐like”, and found the palate to be “well‐textured, indulgently creamy, and very good”. With the tasting complete, the judges reset their palates in preparation for the Taste Master assessment. All of the Master winners were repoured for each judge, who was tasked with choosing their favourite low‐and-no product from the day. With the majority of the votes, The Low & No Taste Master 2023 title was bestowed upon De Kuyper Zero 0% Margarita.

In keeping with the names, each are inspired by places, and mountain is labelled as vibrant and aromatic, forest as complex and bittersweet, while marine is said to be crisp and refreshing. We also found handy mixing instructions on the reverse, outlining measurement ratios with tonic, fruit slices and ice. Our tester thought this was a particularly nice touch. This product is made with natural ingredients. A bit of settling is natural—shake to combine and refrigerate after opening.

Review and Tasting

Mountain is the vibrant, aromatic expression of the Everleaf family. Created with pink gin drinkers in mind, it’s made with 12 sustainably sourced botanicals. Fresh floral notes combine to transport your mind’s eye to the top of a crisp, cool-aired mountain peak alive with spring blossoms. Post-hike spritz, anyone?

The third group consisted of: Rosie Lees, co‐founder and director of Nineteen94; Sara Jane Eichler, founder of Negroni Club UK; and Matt Chambers, spirits writer and cofounder of the Whisky for Everyone blog, who chaired. Hoppy and citrusy” notes on the nose secured a Master medal for Aperitivø Classicø. Smith said: “There was a nice bittersweet interplay. Good intensity, and with soda it’s Americano‐esque.”Four Pillars Bloody Bandwagon was one of 12 Gold medal winners in the in the Non‐Alcoholic White ‘Spirit’ (less than 0.5% ABV) heat, enjoyed for its “sweet, red‐berry” nose, with a “good level of dryness and complexity on the palate – even when mixed with tonic water”. The judges were impressed by Savoia Americano Rosso’s “rich and aromatic” notes on the nose, combined with it being “nicely bitter and herbal on the palate.” This vibrant blend of sustainably sourced botanicals was created to capture the aromatic essence of the mountains, with flavours of cherry blossom, rosehip and strawberry. Pair with light tonic and garnish with strawberry slices for the perfect non-alcoholic Spritz. Lees noted: “A very diverse category, good to see natural flavours and very good to see balance achieved.”