As the founder of Third Place Bar, a dynamic series of alcohol-free pop-up events in New York City, Sam is a champion for non-alc options in social settings. She’s passionate about creating a welcoming space for people to connect without the pressure to drink—whether they’re abstaining for the night, taking a break, or embracing a longer alcohol-free journey.
Here are Sam’s current non-alc picks:
This is a grassy, herbal, complex functional botanical spirit that goes incredibly well in refreshing citrus-based highballs.
Unified Ferments Snow Chrysanthemum
This laid-back, sophisticated kombucha is described as resembling an orange wine—and I can see why. It’s funky with bold herbal notes and goes incredibly well with food.
My absolute favorite non-alcoholic red wine. It’s dry and tannic with notes of black fruit, oak, and a complexity that is hard to find in non-alcoholic red wines.
Just when I thought non-alcoholic sparkling wines had peaked, I found this fantastic de-alcoholized dry bubbly.
Ritual Zero Proof Rum Alternative
This is my Swiss army knife of non-alcoholic spirit alternatives. Espresso martinis, hot toddies, tiki drinks—this rum adds caramel notes and a hint of booziness to any drink.
I expected this non-alcoholic beer to be sweet and juicy like a sour, but instead it’s a wonderfully crisp, slightly hoppy blonde with just a hint of berries. Super crushable.
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