We went in search of the tastiest non-alcoholic drinks with a good story. Think lemonades made from local fruit, soft drinks produced fairly or syrups with a twist. Perfect for your Dry January, for summer days without hangovers or for that party where you just want to get out of bed fresh and fruity tomorrow. We have compiled a nice list for you. Cheers!
Alcohol-free drinks with a sustainable story
For your greener list: these non-alcoholic drinks are not only delicious for yourself, but also perfect to put on the table when you have guests. Just a little different from the standard soft drink and often worth a good conversation. Because behind every drink in this list is a special, sustainable story. Bring on those glasses!
Pink Bunker
Pink Bunker makes syrups that you dilute with (sparkling) water to make a refreshing drink. The fruit-bearers - as they call themselves - use thousands of kilos of peeled lemons from limoncello production, for instance. And from the leftovers, they make new products. Cool! You can drink their syrups as lemonade or soda, but also use them in mocktails (or cocktails, but we wouldn't do that for a while this time). Each drink stands for something: ‘Crazy Berries’ is an ode to short supply chains, ‘Wild Iced Tea’ contributes to biodiversity and with a ‘Smoked Margarita’ you toast to circular production. They plant their own flowers and herbs on at least four hectares of land and work as much as possible with local farmers less than 10 minutes away from the lemonade factory. Pink Bunker is available at hundreds of catering outlets and through their own webshop. Join the #fruit revolution, they say themselves. Well, we say: do it!
Agropošta
Agropošta literally means ‘mail from nature’. And that is exactly what you get. These syrups have been handmade by the Svaic family in Croatia since 2011 from local flowers, herbs and fresh fruit. Each ingredient is picked with care, without damaging the plant, so that nature can continue to grow in peace. The syrups are 100% organic, vegan and gluten-free. You make a delicious glass of lemonade with them or use them as a base for a mocktail. Think lavender, strawberry, mint or lemon without concentrates, extracts or artificial additives. Also great: they sell gift packs, which allow you to give someone something really special. Agropošta is available through their own webshop, but also from catering wholesalers. So in the hospitality industry, too, you will increasingly find this syrup with a story on the menu.
Wilder Land
You might already know Wilder Land for their colourful local teas, but they make a lot more goodies. Instead of getting herbs from far away, they work with Dutch farmers to sow native (un)herbs and flowers in fields and meadows. Some of those herbs they pick for their syrups and kombuchas, the rest are left for bees, butterflies and other buzz, so good for biodiversity. Favourites? Ticket to the Tropics, a syrup made from sea buckthorn that you turn into a tropical mocktail with sparkling water. Or It's Always Spring, a kombucha with chamomile that gives you instant relaxation. And psst... they also have an exciting alcohol section, but we won't dive into that until February. For those who prefer to pour something ready-made, Kouwe Klets comes highly recommended. They make fizzy thirst quenchers with flavours like ‘Sparkling’ & ‘Woody’ and ‘Berry’. Wilder Land is perfect for those who don't drink alcohol but do want something to choose from. You can buy their products at Crisp, specialist shops or via the webshop.
Soof
Soof comes from Dutch soil and is now a well-known name. You will find its syrups and soft drinks not only in many supermarkets, but also increasingly on the menu in catering establishments. They make both self-mixing syrups and ready-to-drink soft drinks in cans, handy for on the road or at a party. The basis is always the same: fruit, vegetables and herbs. Nothing more. No added sugars, no artificial flavourings, no complicated labels. All the ingredients are simply on the front of the bottle or can. The flavours of Soof are fresh and surprising, such as apple-ginger-lemon or pear-lavender-apple. We are fans of Soof!
Gimber
Hot, hot hot hot. Gimber is an organic elixir based on ginger, lemon, herbs and spices. Not a syrup or soft drink, but a concentrate that you mix yourself with sparkling water for a fresh long drink, with hot water on cold days or as a spicy base for mocktails (and cocktails). The flavour is intense and spicy, with a hefty kick. There are several variants, including the original Gimber N°1, a sugar-free version and a tropical blend with pineapple and passion fruit. Everything is 100% organic and without artificial additives. Gimber began as an alternative to alcohol with character and grew into a favourite in the catering industry and among lovers of distinct flavours. For sale at specialist shops, on-trade outlets and via their webshop.
Belvoir
Another familiar face: chances are you've seen Belvoir in the supermarket before. These soft drinks in their festive bottles stand out. They are made with only natural ingredients, with no artificial additives and are certified organic. The ‘elderflower presse’ in particular is a classic - fresh, floral and loved on many a catering terrace. Other popular flavours are ginger and raspberry. You pour them in an instant as an alternative to a bubbly wine or use them as a base for a quick mocktail. But behind that bottle is also a strong sustainable story. Belvoir produces completely zero waste, uses bottles made of 58% recycled glass and runs partly on solar power. They are officially B Corp-certified and their goal is to be completely climate-neutral by 2035. On their farm, they plant flower strips for butterflies, tend bees and have now planted more than ten thousand trees. You will find Belvoir simply at well-known supermarkets such as Albert Heijn, Jumbo, Ekoplaza and Plus.
Sapinca
Sapinca is neither a soft drink, syrup nor juice. It is actually a bit of everything. These elixirs are spicy, potent and inspired by ancient recipes from Peru. You can drink them pure as a shot, dilute them with sparkling water or hot water (for a kind of tea) or use them in surprising mocktails (and cocktails). They come in three varieties: ‘Root’, ‘Fruit’ and ‘Herb’. And the bottles? They are so pretty that you feel free to show them off. Everything about Sapinca is natural. The elixirs are made with 100% organic and vegan ingredients with no artificial additives or preservatives. With every bottle, you support Misión Huascarán: an organisation dedicated to helping children in extreme poverty in rural Peru. At least 2% of sales go to this charity. Sapinca is a Dutch company owned by founder Diederick and is also B Corp-certified. You can find it at Ekoplaza, Gall & Gall, wholesalers and via their own webshop, among others.
Lemonaid & ChariTea
Made from fresh fruit, real tea and organic cane sugar, Lemonaid & ChariTea bears the Fairtrade seal of approval, so it fits right into your greener list. But what makes this soft drink really special is what happens AFTER the taste. From every bottle sold, 5 cents goes to the Lemonaid & ChariTea Foundation, which supports social projects in the regions where the ingredients come from. Think of education projects, water supplies or farmer cooperatives. More than 12 million euros have already been raised. The team itself remains closely involved: they travel to the farmers every year to see with their own eyes where the ingredients grow and where there is room for improvement. Invented in 2008 in a kitchenette in Hamburg, Lemonaid has grown into an international brand - without losing that rebellious start-up mentality. They call it themselves the new social drinking. You will find Lemonaid & ChariTea at more and more (sustainable) supermarkets, restaurants and concept stores in the Netherlands.
Searoop
Searoop is an organic lemonade syrup from Zeeland, made from freshly squeezed apple juice, dune herbs and botanical herbs. All 100% organic, locally produced and with up to 50% less sugar than ordinary syrups. By using apple juice, hardly any extra sugar is needed, which makes this syrup fresh, light and yet full of flavour. Searoop comes in nine different varieties, each with its own character - from rosehip to ginger to elderflower. You mix it with (sparkling) water for a multi-flavoured non-alcoholic drink, or incorporate it into cocktails, dressings or desserts. There are even ready-to-drink cans on the market, as well as handy bag-in-box packaging for the catering industry. You will find Searoop among others at Ekoplaza, Anne&Max and Sissy-Boy Daily as well as online, including original pairing tips and recipes.
The lemonade factory
The Limonaderij has been making syrups from fresh fruit, herbs, spices and sugar - without artificial preservatives, colourings or sweeteners - since 2012. They use only natural ingredients, including sugar from Dutch sugar beet. Everything here is about simplicity and flavour, with combinations such as apple-strawberry, mint-lemon or orange-mint. The syrups of Lemonade are produced locally in Drenthe, in recyclable bottles. Extra nice: there is also a variant with lavender, for those looking for something special. You can order the syrups via their own webshop.
Your new (favourite) non-alcoholic drink?
Feel like pouring something new? Whether you like fresh, spicy, floral or hearty: there is bound to be a favourite for you among them. And this list is far from complete. How about the syrups from Dill & Kamille, completely organic and fair trade, made by the Flemish social initiative the Groene Kans? Or the creative soda makers of Saru Soda, who brew their drinks on solar power and make everything organic or wild-picked? Both brands are also worth trying - AND score points with their sustainable approach. Do you have another good tip for an alcohol-free drink with a special story? Let us know about it! Cheers to less alcohol and more taste!
You might also find this interesting
- Also see: Growing your own oyster mushrooms on coffee grounds.
- Also see: Juice.
- Also see: you are already drinking a more sustainable cup of tea.
Photo credits: drink in hand: Buse Çolak & lemons: Nati, Pexels, others: the brands mentioned.
