This Company Tastes All The Alcohol-Free Options, So You Don’t Have To

There’s a lot of dreck in the zero-proof space. While overall the offerings are improving every day, there are still many that taste more like a punishment than a treat. So it’s not surprising that when Sean Goldsmith decided to stop drinking four years ago, after a long weekend in Miami, he found his options sadly limited at first.

That void led Goldsmith and his friend Trevor Wolfe to launch The Zero Proof, a one-stop shop filled with only items they can vouch for.

“We taste everything and there are MANY products we don’t carry because we’re not fans – but of course we won’t name names,” Goldsmith wrote in an email. Heading into spring, I asked him for some inspiration for the sober-curious—as well as suggestions for identifying tasty and grown-up alcohol-free options.

Why did you quit drinking? After a week off from booze, I started sleeping better, dealing with stress better, and losing weight. So I kept it going. It was a very organic process with me, without any specific goal. But I’m in the minority of people that enjoy our products – 82 percent of them also drink alcohol. They’re just trying to mix some tasty, non-alcoholic alternatives into their routine.

What cocktails can one most successfully recreate as NA? Why? Just like with alcoholic cocktails, a successful NA cocktail really comes down to using quality ingredients – starting with the choice of spirit. You’ve got to have a good base! Strong flavors translate well into NA drinks – like bitter, herbal, etc. My favorite cocktail, the Negroni, is a perfect example. I like to use ISH London Botanical Spirit, Wilfred’s Bittersweet Aperitivo and Gnista Floral Wormwood (for the vermouth) in equal parts. You can add a splash of simple syrup to balance it out and garnish with an orange. It’s bright, bitter and refreshing.

Also, I’ve got to shout out ISH Spiced Caribbean Spirit as one of the most realistic rums on the market. You can add some ginger beer for a Dark n’ Stormy and people won’t know they’re not drinking alcohol.

Are there cocktails that are especially challenging? Why? In the hands of an expert mixologist, you’d be amazed at the results you can achieve. Given the quality and breadth of NA spirits, most cocktails are pretty well covered. Red wine, on the other hand, with its many subtle notes, gained from years in barrel, has been a tough one for the industry to nail. There are some great reds on the market… But I know there’s a lot of innovation happening for red wines in particular. And I’m excited to taste the results.

What is your go-to at home for an easy, exhausted-after-a-long-day drink? If you’re exhausted after a long day, you don’t want to have to worry about recipes and multiple ingredients. Just grab something that’s ready to go and enjoy. I would personally go for a glass of sparkling wine – Oddbird Blanc de Blancs or my favorite “Aperol Spritz” in a can – SpritzISH. And I love a cold Athletic Brewing Free Wave.

Is there a category in NA spirits/liqueurs that you see coming on strong this year? Folks are leaning into the Aperitivo/Digestivo space. I’ve seen a handful of new and interesting brands pop up. Going back to my earlier comment about strong favors translating well in NA, you can have a lot of fun with all of the herbal mixtures to achieve these complex and bitter drinks.

What advice do you have for people who want to expand Dry January and Sober October into a year-round habit? Find drinks that you really enjoy. If your NA drinks aren’t meeting the occasion, you probably aren’t going to stick with them. Everyone’s tastes are different. So find a couple different types of your favorite alcoholic spirit. Try some different NA wines of your favorite varietals… same with beer. There are so many great options out there, you’ll find something you love. And it’s a lot of fun tasting through all of these amazing drinks.