Is non-alcoholic rum just for abstainers? Bullshit.
Sober Spirits has won the title of best non-alcoholic rum in the world for 3 years at the most prestigious competitions in San Francisco and London. Proof that zero degrees no longer rhymes with zero pleasure.
The figures speak for themselves: → 20 brands of non-alcoholic spirits in 2019 → 160 in 2021
→ Nearly 300 at the end of 2022 → Expected growth of 7% per year by 2026
30,000 bottles of Sober Rum already sold. Not bad for a “simple” substitute, right?
These alternatives capture everything we love about a spirit – the complex aromas, the depth on the palate, the sensory experience – without the hassle of ethanol. The authentic taste of rum, period.
In this guide, we will dissect the best options available. Where to find them? How can you differentiate them from the common syrups found at Leclerc or Carrefour? And above all: which one to choose for your cocktails or tastings?
Spoiler: you will be surprised.
Why choose non-alcoholic rum?
So, who is non-alcoholic rum for exactly?
Pregnant women? Yes. Athletes? Also. The abstainers? Obviously.
But not only…
Stop talking nonsense about alcohol
Alcohol increases the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Point. Alcohol-free rum avoids these dangers while maintaining the pleasure of taste.
A cocktail with SoberRum 0.0%? Ten times fewer calories than a classic cocktail.
Alcohol consumption in France has fallen by more than 30% in 50 years. The French are starting to understand.
Except that...
Dietitian Déborah Ohana says it bluntly: “there is no point in drinking aperitifs without alcohol. Only water is a drink with nutritional value.
So why are we talking about it? It’s simple: there is zero risk of addiction. Zero effects on health for maximum taste pleasure.
Who drinks non-alcoholic rum in 2024?
Pregnant and breastfeeding women, of course. JNPR's RHHM and Sober Spirits' Sober R guarantee 0.00% alcohol.
Athletes too. Optimal recovery, hydration preserved.
But look at these stats: → 50% of 18-34 year olds regularly consume non-alcoholic drinks → 30% of 18-34 year olds have reduced their alcohol consumption
This generation coined a term: “sober curious.” They don't have a problem with alcohol. They just want something else and throw away our good old cultural injunction to alcohol.
An exploding market (and that’s just the beginning)
The numbers are dizzying: → Expected growth of 7% per year by 2026 → Bacardi launches alcohol-free Martini in 2020 → Diageo releases Captain Morgan Spiced Gold 0.0% in March 2023 → Result? 2% of brand sales in just 3 months
Kantar forecasts +12.5% volume over the next 5 years.
And the craziest? Two thirds of consumers agree to pay more for quality.
Alcohol-free beer? 110 million liters sold in France. Non-alcoholic spirits are following suit.
Choosing a non-alcoholic rum today is no longer a compromise. It’s an assumed choice.
How is non-alcoholic rum made?
Image Source: ResearchGate
Do you think we make alcohol-free rum by mixing flavorings in a basin?
Fake.
Real non-alcoholic rums start from an authentic spirit. Not a Sunday chemist's recipe. At serious producers like Sober Spirits, we start by distilling a real rum at 65% vol in the French West Indies before shipping it to Grasse, the perfume capital of the world.
Dealcoholization: extract without destroying
The process is called dealcoholization. This technique mainly uses thehigh temperature evaporation to separate the alcohol from the aromas. The operation, complex and expensive, splits the spirit into two: the taste molecules (which we keep) and the ethanol (which we remove).
A pressure and thermal shock system does the job.
Recovered ethanol? No mess. He ended up in the high perfumery industry. Pretty clever, right?
The second life: redistillation and character
But removing alcohol also means losing character.
The producers know this. So they compensate with a second distillation in century-old stills. At Sober Spirits, we add French oak bark. Others include cocoa or woody oak to “bring an aged, gourmet, vanilla aspect”. Some rely on wild hawthorn which gives “a floral, slightly honeyed side”.
The still? A sophisticated pressure cooker placed on a hot plate, connected to a reserve of cold water. The vapors become charged with aromatic molecules then transform back into droplets on contact with the cold.
Simple in theory. Complex in practice.
Syrups, these sweet impostors
Beware of scams.
Not all “non-alcoholic rums” are equal. Many brands sell you disguised flavored syrups. MONIN Rum Flavor Syrup? Natural flavors, sugar, water, additives. Never seen the shadow of a still.
The difference between a real non-alcoholic rum and a syrup?
One starts with an authentic spirit that is de-alcoholized and then reworked. The other just imitates the aroma. Connoisseurs favor real products which preserve "the richness of the aromas, the creamy texture, the structure and the length in the mouth of the original spirit".
This manufacturing complexity explains the price differences between a premium Sober Spirits and the low-end syrups found at Leclerc or Carrefour.
Now you know why.
Sober Spirits: French innovation
Sober Spirits is Made in France that rocks! 🤘
This tricolor nugget, founded in 2020 by Calixte and Victor Payan, has slapped the market for non-alcoholic spirits. Their secret? They don't start from scratch to make their rum.
Real Martinican agricultural rum, not disguised syrup
At Sober Spirits, no aromatic tinkering. They use an authentic AOC agricultural rum from Martinique as a base. 65% vol initially distilled in the West Indies before landing in Grasse, the world capital of perfume.
The difference with competitors?
An agricultural rum is pure sugar cane juice. Not molasses, that industrial byproduct that everyone uses. Result: striking vegetal, fruity and floral aromas. Nothing to do with the flavored syrups found at Leclerc or Carrefour.
“Our alcohol-free rum retains the nobility of an agricultural rum,” explains Calixte, the founder. And we feel it!
A dealcoholization that respects the aromas
The Sober Spirits process is serious:
First, extraction of the alcohol by pressure and thermal shock. The aromas remain, the ethanol evaporates.
Then, second distillation in century-old stills with French oak bark. For what ? Because getting rid of alcohol can weaken your character. So they re-strengthen everything.
Recovered ethanol? Not wasted. Head to the Grasse fine perfume industry. Circular economy, respect.
Awards that speak for themselves
Best non-alcoholic rum in the world 3 years in a row in San Francisco and London. Not village competitions, eh 😉
A Parisian head bartender admits: "I was skeptical at first, but I was amazed by the aromatic complexity and the texture in the mouth. It's the only alcohol-free product that allows me to make cocktails worthy of the name."
Average customer rating: 4.7/5. Consumers love “the richness of the aromas”, “the creamy texture” and “the length in the mouth” which recall the experience of a real rum.
30,000 bottles sold to date. And Sober Spirits cocktails which win prizes against alcoholic versions in international competitions.
Sober Spirits is proof that you can make premium without alcohol. Gone are the days when “alcohol-free” rhymed with “tasteless”.
Lyre's: the aromatic imitation from Australia
Faced with the French approach of Sober Spirits, the Australians of Lyre's play a different score. Founded in 2019, this brand focuses everything on aromatic imitation rather than on the dealcoholization of a real spirit.
Their philosophy? Why start with an authentic rum when you can reconstitute the aromas from scratch?
White Cane, Dark Cane and Spiced Cane
Lyre's offers three main references which cover most of the rum profiles:
THE White Cane Spirit reproduces a classic white rum with its notes of vanilla, caramel and citrus. THE Dark Cane Spirit imitates barrel-aged rums - oak, caramel, vanilla on the program. As for the Spiced Cane Spirit, it attacks spiced rums with its aromas of spices, orange and vanilla.
None of these products come from real dealcoholized rum. We are talking here about compositions of natural flavors, plant extracts and various essences. The approach allows aromatic profiles to be faithfully reproduced without ever touching alcohol.
0.0% alcohol content guaranteed across the entire range.
Made for mixology
Lyre's makes no secret of it: their products shine especially in cocktails.
The White Cane excels in non-alcoholic Daiquiris and Mojitos. The Dark Cane finds its place in Cuba Libre and tiki cocktails. The Spiced Cane allows Mai Tai and Planter's Punch to be performed soberly.
Consumed pure? That's another story. Several testers note a lack of heat and length in the mouth compared to an alcoholic spirit. Hence the brand's systematic recommendation: use us in cocktails, where the other ingredients compensate for our limitations.
Bartenders appreciate this versatility which allows them to reproduce classic recipes without reinventing everything.
Price and availability
Lyre's is positioned on the premium side, but remains slightly cheaper than Sober Spirits. Count around €25.90 per 70cl bottle depending on the references at Sanzalc. Always more expensive than the syrups found at Leclerc or Carrefour, obviously but the quality is definitely there!
On the distribution side, you will find the complete range at Sanzalc by clicking on the following link: Lyre's Collection.
To discover the range, Lyre's regularly offers packs with mixology accessories and recipe books specially designed for their products.
Aromatic imitation versus authentic dealcoholization: two schools, two philosophies. It's up to you.
Petit Beret: the accessible alternative
Premium non-alcoholic rum is all well and good… but at €28 a bottle, not everyone can afford it every night.
Little Beret understood this.
This French brand plays the accessibility card without compromising too much on quality. Clever.
A real agricultural profile… without breaking the bank
Like Sober Spirits, Petit Béret focuses on agricultural rum. Except that here, no costly dealcoholization: they directly assemble natural ingredients to recreate the typical notes of sugar cane and vegetal.
Result ? A 0.0% product that keeps the soul of agricultural rum.
And the price? A little less than €25 for 70 cl compared to €28 for 50 cl for Sober Spirits. Almost a third cheaper for regular consumption, that’s a game changer.
Perfect for your Sunday mojitos
Le Petit Béret especially excels in cocktails. Its balanced profile fits perfectly into a Mojito or Cuba Libre without the need to tinker with the recipe.
Several bartenders have confirmed this to us: unlike the syrups found at Leclerc or Carrefour, this alcohol-free rum holds up even diluted. It retains its structure and its aromas.
The brand even offers specially adapted recipes on its site. From the classic revisited to original creations.
An expanding range
Petit Béret was first wine and 0.0% beer. Now, they are tackling spirits with their successful non-alcoholic white rum.
And things are still moving: a non-alcoholic amber rum is in preparation, plus seasonal limited editions to vary the pleasures.
When it comes to distribution, they are gaining ground. Carrefour already references them. Even Leclerc is starting to get into it, although they still prefer their flavored syrups.
To discover the world of alcohol-free rum without breaking the bank, Petit Béret does the trick. A good gateway before exploring premium options.
Or not. Some are very happy with it.
Comparison of the best non-alcoholic rums
So, which one to choose? Let's stop the salamalecs and compare what really matters.
Sober Spirits vs Lyre's vs Petit Béret: the match
Three approaches, three philosophies:
→ Sober Spirits : the purist. Real Martinique agricultural rum de-alcoholized in Grasse, redistilled in century-old stills. Price: €28.00 for 50 cl
→ Lyre's : the Australian imitator. Zero drops of alcohol from the start, all natural flavors and plant extracts. Price: €25.90 for 70 cl
→ Little Beret : accessible French. Blend of natural ingredients, correct agricultural profile. Price: €24.90 for 70 cl
Question of taste: who does it best?
Sober Spirits crushes the competition.
Woody notes, caramelized dried fruits, syrupy texture... It's serious. Not for nothing has it won world prizes for 3 years.
Lyre's offers three profiles (White Cane, Dark Cane, Spiced Cane) but lacks warmth on the palate. OK for cocktails, can be disappointing if drunk neat.
Little Beret? Honest. Vegetal notes of sugar cane, nothing extraordinary but balanced for the price.
Use: pure or in a cocktail?
Sober Spirits : reveals its potential in cocktails, but some appreciate it pure. Used in the same proportions as a classic rum.
Lyre's : exclusively for cocktails. The brand says it itself. Perfect for Mojitos and Cuba Libre.
Little Beret : versatile. It works on ice as well as in a mixture.
The no-nonsense verdict
Your budget determines your choice:
- Demanding and who doesn't skimp on the price? Sober Spirits
- Cocktail lover? Lyre's
- Curious thrifty? Little Beret
But let's remember: even the "worst" of these three explodes the disgusting syrups found at Leclerc!
Where to buy non-alcoholic rum?
So, where can you find these rare gems? The reality on the ground is less rosy than the marketing promises…
Leclerc alcohol-free rum: look carefully
Leclerc and non-alcoholic rum are a bit like looking for a needle in a haystack.
The brand mainly uses flavored syrups that vaguely imitate the taste of rum. Soulless economic stuff that has never seen the shadow of a sugar cane. Damage.
Some hypermarkets are starting to list Petit Béret, but this is on a case by case basis. The bigger stores sometimes have a "decent" selection, the others... well good luck 🤷🏻♂️
Carrefour alcohol-free rum: a timid effort
Carrefour does better than its competitor.
→ Captain Morgan Spiced Gold 0.0% at €12.51 per liter → Some Lyre's references (Spiced Cane, White Cane) at rare times of the year.
But be careful: stocks fluctuate. Some references “desert the shelves” according to their own site. Great for party planning 👏
These products are hidden in the non-alcoholic aperitif section, far from classic spirits. Questionable business logic, but hey…
Order online: the solution that works
The Internet remains your best friend for this type of purchase.
Specialized sites like Sanzalc.com offer everything we mentioned in this article, including Sober Spirits in a 50cl bottle.
Advantages: → Complete choice of premium brands → Detailed descriptions and customer reviews → Access to references not available in stores
Disadvantages: → Delivery costs which can weigh on the budget (especially for a single bottle) → Deadlines incompatible with emergency purchases
The French paradox: we have brands that monopolize world prices, but we struggle to find them on the shelves.
Fortunately, Sanzalc is here to make these alcohol-free spirits accessible and not only that!
Non-alcoholic rum cocktails
Now that we've looked at the options, let's get down to business: how to make amazing cocktails with non-alcoholic rum?
Because no, replacing rum with sugar water in a Mojito doesn't work and according to Arnaud, the founder of Sanzalc, “It’s a real scam!” 🤬
Mojito without alcohol (the real one)
The secret to a successful Mojito without alcohol? Treat the mint properly.
→ 6 fresh mint leaves (preferably Moroccan) → 1/2 lime, quartered
→ 2 teaspoons of brown sugar → 5cl of non-alcoholic rum → Sparkling water
Gently crush the mint with the sugar and lemon. Not like a nag - you want to release the oils, not mash. Ice cubes, non-alcoholic rum, sparkling water.
Result: a Mojito with character.
Cuba Libre revisited
The simplest of cocktails, but you still have to do it well.
Tumbler glass + ice cubes + 5cl of non-alcoholic rum (Lyre's Dark Cane works great) + 1cl of fresh lime + cola.
A slice of lime on the edge. Point.
It seems silly, but that's where we see the difference between a real rum without alcohol and a disguised syrup.
Dark & Stormy soft version
For those who like cocktails with character.
→ 5cl of Sober Spirits (or equivalent) → 1cl of agave syrup → Juice of 1/2 squeezed lime → 10cl of Ginger Beer → Ice cubes
The little extra that changes everything: smoke your glass with a lightly burnt cinnamon stick before serving. The wow effect guaranteed.
These three cocktails prove that you can have taste without ethanol. The pleasure is in the aromas… not in the alcohol content.
Conclusion
Is alcohol-free rum a fashion? Stop talking nonsense.
This alternative stands out as a real game-changer in the world of spirits. 7% growth forecast by 2026, that speaks for itself. Consumers have understood: you can keep the pleasure without suffering the damage of ethanol.
All non-alcoholic rums are not equal, obviously. Sober Spirits with its real dealcoholized rum, Lyre's and its approach through aromatic imitation, Petit Béret for tight budgets... This diversity allows everyone to find the right fit.
On the distribution side, Carrefour is making efforts with Captain Morgan 0.0% and some Lyre's references. Leclerc remains behind with its syrups. For the complete choice, head to specialized sites like Sanzalc.
Pregnant women, athletes, designated drivers or simply curious people... these alternatives open up a world of taste possibilities. Mojitos, Cuba Libre, Dark & Stormy: convivial moments without compromising your health.
The real pleasure is the taste... not the alcohol.
This revolution proves cocktail after cocktail that you can toast perfectly without ethanol. So, are you ready to discover what non-alcoholic rum has in store?
Key takeaways
The non-alcoholic rum market is undergoing a revolution with premium alternatives that now rival traditional spirits in terms of aromatic complexity and taste experience.
• Sober Spirits dominates the premium market : Voted best non-alcoholic rum in the world for 3 consecutive years, it uses a real Martinique agricultural rum de-alcoholized in Grasse then redistilled.
• Three distinct approaches coexist : dealcoholization of a real rum (Sober Spirits), aromatic imitation (Lyre's), and assembly of natural ingredients (Petit Béret).
• Distribution still limited in supermarkets : Carrefour offers a few references like Captain Morgan 0.0%, while Leclerc limits itself to flavored syrups 🤢
• Online purchasing remains optimal : Specialized platforms such as Sanzalc offer the most complete selection despite additional delivery costs.
• Perfect for modern mixology : These alternatives allow you to make classic cocktails (Mojito, Cuba Libre, Dark & Stormy) without compromising the authentic taste.
This revolution responds to growing demand from consumers concerned about their health, with a market expected to grow by 7% annually until 2026, proving that sobriety and taste pleasure can perfectly coexist.
FAQs
Q1. What is the best brand of non-alcoholic rum? Sober Spirits is considered one of the best non-alcoholic rums, having won several international awards for its quality and taste authenticity.
Q2. How is non-alcoholic rum made? There are different methods, but quality non-alcoholic rums are often produced by dealcoholizing a real rum and then redistilling it with aromatics to preserve its flavor complexity.
Q3. Is non-alcoholic rum suitable for making cocktails? Absolutely. Non-alcoholic rum is ideal for preparing non-alcoholic versions of classic cocktails like the Mojito, Cuba Libre or Dark & Stormy, while preserving their authentic flavors.
Q4. Where can you buy non-alcoholic rum in France? You can find non-alcoholic rum in certain supermarkets such as Carrefour, but the widest choice is available on websites specializing in non-alcoholic drinks such as Sanzalc.
Q5. Is non-alcoholic rum much lower in calories than traditional rum? Yes, non-alcoholic rum generally contains significantly fewer calories than its alcoholic equivalent, making it an attractive option for those watching their calorie intake.
