How to Stock a Non-Alcoholic Bar, From Spirits to Shakers

This is Starter Kit, a series where our editors share the food, drink, and kitchen essentials they recommend when you’re setting up from scratch. Here, Andrea Strong writes about everything you need to set up a non-alcoholic bar for Dry January and beyond.

Here’s a thought as we step into 2026: a bar doesn’t have to be stocked with booze. Certainly, with the impressive new crop of non-alcoholic wines, spirits, cocktails, and beers, it’s kind of a no-brainer to showcase them all. Whether you’re considering a more moderate or even Dry January (after a very wet December), feeling sober-curious, or just interested in exploring the burgeoning world of NA wines and spirits, we thought it might be nice to share a roadmap for how to thoughtfully and expertly curate a beautiful non-alcoholic bar at home.

“What makes a nonalcoholic bar different has less to do with what’s in the glass and more to do with the mindset behind it,” says Justin Gurland, Founder of The Maze, NYC’s first alcohol-free members club. For home bars, Gurland says to keep things simple and personal. “You don’t need a large collection to create a great NA bar, just a few things you enjoy and a setup that feels comfortable and welcoming. And if you prefer a Diet Coke over an NA wine, go with that. It’s less about recreating a traditional bar and more about finding what actually works for you. Start with a few products you enjoy, add some mixers or fresh citrus, and use glassware that makes the experience feel intentional.”

From wine to beer, to cocktail accessories, barware, and more, we share everything you need to build your very own non-alcoholic bar at home.

Non-alc wine

The non-alcoholic wine space has grown in the past few years from wine that essentially tasted like sour juice to a far more complex and interesting vino. There are two main types of NA wine: dealcoholized and proxies.

Dealcoholized wines are regular wines that have had most or all of their alcohol removed after fermentation, retaining flavors, aromas, and complexity of traditional wine. Gurland notes that de-alcoholized wines “tend to pair better with food because they retain more of the structure, acidity, and mouthfeel people expect from wine. Styles like Oddbird, for example, pair more naturally with savory dishes or longer meals.” NA sparkling wines, such as French Bloom, “are great for toasts or lighter occasions rather than food pairing,” he adds.

Hilary Sheinbaum, author of Going Dry: A Workbook: A Practical Guide to Drinking Less and Living More, recommends a mix of still and sparkling options. “I love a good sparkling rosé—especially if it’s nonalcoholic! It’s refreshing, and equally perfect for a summer day as it is during the holidays when effervescent drinks are flowing.” For still wines, nearly all experts favor Giesen 0% Wines. “It’s really hard to find good nonalcoholic red wines on the market, and Giesen does a great job with theirs,” says Sheinbaum. “Giesen 0%’s red is the one I’m always recommending and serving to guests.”

Wine proxies mimic wine-like flavors with fruit juices, botanicals, and teas. “Wine proxies and sparkling alternatives often shine on their own,” he says. “They’re more expressive aromatically and work well as an aperitif or for social moments and celebrations.”

Gurland suggests having a few bottles of each so that depending on whether you’re sitting down for dinner or simply gathering and socializing. “Having both allows the experience to feel intentional rather than restrictive,” he says.

Non-alc beer

Not everyone is a fan of wine (shocking but true), so your bar should also include a selection of beer. “I gravitate to wine, but I know that my friends love beer,” says Sheinbaum. “That said, I want them to have the best of what’s out there!” Luckily, like wine, the beer category has grown up quite a bit as well, so it now includes craft-style brews like Bero and Athletic Brewing, says Gurland. “Today, there’s an entire category of carefully crafted alternatives that make it easier for people to feel included, whether they’re abstaining for a night, a month, or for life.”

Whiskey, tequila, and vodka are all regulars on the traditional bar and should also have a place on the NA bar. Depending on your own preference, you might include a few brown and a few clear spirits. Sheinbaum loves Free Spirits, especially its nonalcoholic gin, tequila, and bourbon. “These are essential for any nonalcoholic bar. These liquids not only help add flavor and mouthfeel, but they are also low-calorie (5 calories per serving) and easy to use in classic cocktails,” she says. To make spritzes, she loves Mionetto Aperitivo Alcohol Free. “This subtly bitter spirit is a must-have for any NA bar. It’s 0% ABV and can be combined with NA sparkling wine for the perfectly balanced NA cocktail. Or, it can be combined with a traditional sparkling wine for a low ABV cocktail.”

Gurland, who favors Aplos, which makes spirits infused with citrus, herbal botanicals, and broad-spectrum hemp. “What excites me most isn’t any single product, it’s the shift in mindset,” he says. “People now expect thoughtful NA options in social settings. They want to feel included, respected, and part of the moment – and the growth of this category reflects that. For anyone in recovery or choosing not to drink, that’s incredibly meaningful.”

Non-alc canned cocktails

Zero-proof pre-made drinks require zero effort and deliver big on flavor and fun, so they are essential for simple entertaining from your at-home bar. “They’re so easy to pop open and pour,” says Sheinbaum, who favors Free Spirits canned cocktails. “Whenever I’m hosting guests or having an event, the ones that go the fastest are by far the Margaritas! They also have a Kentucky Mule, an Espresso Old Fashioned, and a Negroni!”

The world of booze-free cocktails runs the gamut from the OG nonalcoholic apéritif from Ghia, to the Phony Negroni, a bottled (and now also canned) NA Negroni from Brooklyn, NY-based distillery St. Agrestis, and Curious Elixirs, which adds adaptogens to a menu of nine different booze-free cocktails in complex flavors like spicy pineapple ginger margarita (No. 2), Sicilian blood-orange spritz (No. 4), smoked chocolate cherry old-fashioned (No. 5), and booze-free champagne with elderflower and lavender (No. 7). Keep a few of each on hand to pop open and sip over ice for a breezy, easy welcome drink.

Mixers, bitters, and syrups

As you would for cocktails, you’ll also want to have a roster of mixers on hand for your mocktails, says Callie Gullickson, a Peloton instructor known for her joyful brand of Bring Your Own Energy classes and the author of the newly released Mocktail Hour.

“The perfect mocktail consists of a few essential ingredients—a juice, fruit, or citrus like lemon, lime, orange or grapefruit (or a combination of all), bubbles of some sort—sparkling water, coconut water, kombucha or ginger beer—and if you want to get fancy, some herbs like basil, mint, or rosemary, and sweeteners such as agave, maple syrup or honey,” she says. She also keeps a collection of syrups on hand for added flavor, favoring products that can be easily store-bought, like grenadine, lavender syrup, and elderflower syrup.

When making mocktails, Gullickson is more concerned with enjoyment than perfection. “Don’t worry about making your drink perfect,” she says. “Worry about making it yours, and if you don’t have a specific ingredient, use what’s in the fridge; that’s okay! Sip, experiment, and trust yourself.”

Glassware

Don’t skimp on glassware; the sort of thoughtful attention to detail pays off. “If you want a nonalcoholic bar to feel intentional and elevated, the accessories matter just as much as the beverages,” says Gurland.

Sheinbaum is all for leaving the water glasses in the cabinet and reaching for something a little more special. “Appropriate wine, beer, and cocktail glasses are an absolute non-negotiable,” she says. “If you are serving NA beverages in water glasses or mugs or something else entirely: do better! Well-crafted glasses are made to enhance taste and drinking experiences, so you are doing everyone a disservice by ignoring this fact.”

Gullickson recommends keeping a variety of glassware on hand, including coupes, highballs, rocks, wineglasses, and martini glasses, even a mug for warm mocktails. “The glass you choose can change the vibe of your drink from cozy and casual to more sleek and sophisticated,” she says.

Barware

“Just like a well-stocked kitchen makes cooking smooth and simple, a well-stocked bar cart makes mocktail-making effortless and fun,” says Gullickson. “Think of it as part of your self-care toolkit ready to help you unwind, celebrate, or just make hydration a little more exciting.”

To stock your bar, she recommends a shaker and a bar spoon, a citrus juicer, measuring tools like a jigger, a strainer for pulp, and a blender especially for summery frozen drinks.

Gurland agrees that basics like jiggers, shakers, strainers, and quality ice make a huge difference. “One of the biggest misconceptions is that NA drinks require less care or fewer tools,” says Gurland. “NA mixology still depends on balance, dilution, and texture. You can’t achieve that without proper tools. Even simple garnishes like citrus, herbs, or a good-quality tonic can transform a drink.”

Sheinbaum says measuring tools are especially important with NA spirits. “NA spirits replicate the taste of traditional spirits, but not at the same volume; so if a recipe calls for 1.5 oz of traditional gin, you may need to use ¾ oz or 1¼ oz of NA gin to replicate the taste. So it’s important to understand how much liquid is being poured so you can adjust accordingly.”

Accessories

Once you’ve covered the basics, there are a few simple additions that can really elevate your at-home NA game–extras like garnishes, cocktail ice molds, cute cocktail napkins, a wine chiller, an ice bucket, and a bar cart.

“Mocktails are more than just a drink; they’re an experience,” says Gullickson. “My favorite part of making mocktails is the presentation.” To make things more interesting, she reaches for ice molds in fun shapes and adds “juice, fruit, herbs, or edible flowers for a surprise burst of flavor as a great way to up your drink presentation.” She also pays attention to more than just glassware, keeping ingredients on hand for “glass rims and cocktail garnishes such as salt, citrus zest, herbs, fresh and dehydrated fruit. “If you really want to jazz them up, keep edible glitter on hand!” she says.

Sheinbaum loves to add “the small hospitality touches: nice cocktail napkins, reusable straws, stirrers, garnishes like a dehydrated citrus or a rosemary sprig, and a clean bar setup. Those details communicate that the experience is thoughtful, not an afterthought. At the end of the day, a nonalcoholic bar should feel like a bar – just without the alcohol.”

“Honestly, the biggest ‘nice-to-have’ is creating a space that feels welcoming– with a small tray, glassware you love, or a simple ritual around making the drink,” she says. “Those details make the experience feel satisfying and elevated, even without alcohol.”

Where to buy your non-alc booze

With the rise of non-alcoholic options, you can find plenty of choices at large bottle shops, both in store and online, including Total Wine and Wine.com. For a more curated experience, we recommend checking out the following retailers:

• Thrive Market: A membership-based online grocery store focused on organic, non-GMO, and sustainably made products. Thrive Market ships pantry staples, snacks, household goods, and dozens of non-alcoholic drinks—including beers, wines, and cocktails—straight to your door, often at lower prices than traditional grocery stores. It’s an easy way to add NA options alongside your weekly grocery order.
• Boisson: This retailer offers a carefully curated selection of non-alcoholic spirits, beers, and wines, along with mixology essentials like shrubs, syrups, and mixers. You can also join Boisson’s monthly wine club, curated by Wine Director and acclaimed sommelier André Mack, which delivers four NA wines and grants access to special in-person tastings in NYC.
• The Zero Proof: TZP carries a wide range of non-alcoholic spirits, aperitifs, liqueurs, wines, and beers. Their quarterly wine club ships a curated selection of four seasonal favorites, available as all-red or mixed packs, making it easy to explore new bottles each season.

For more Dry January content

• Pomegranate spritzers, chile-cucumber agua frescas, blood orange shrubs, and more mocktail recipes.
• Going sober-curious doesn’t have to be a sacrifice with our favorite NA beverages.
• The best whiskey glasses whether you take yours NA, neat, or on the rocks.