Doing a Non Alcoholic Vodka Substitute Right: A (Home) Bartender’s Guide

By Jennifer Contraveos, Vice President of Marketing at Cantrip

After two decades in the beverage industry — and more nights behind a bar than I can count — I’ve learned there’s a reason vodka claims a central place in the mixologist’s playbook: it’s a good team player. Smooth. Neutral. Endlessly adaptable. It’s the base note behind some of the world’s most iconic cocktails — give me your Moscow Mules, your Cosmopolitans, your White Russians — where vodka quietly ties the room together while other flavors get to bask in the spotlight.

So it’s no wonder that when people start cutting back on the booze, they often find themselves looking for a non alcoholic vodka substitute. It’s an easy spirit to build from — and a perfect starting point for those who want to retain the ritual without paying the price.

Why People Are Going Sober-Curious

I’ve spent my career watching people’s relationships with drinking evolve. Sure, every couple of months another article comes out saying no amount of alcohol is “great” for you — but for many, the shift is less about following the advice of others than it is about listening to themselves. 

Maybe you’re looking to cut calories, or maybe you love the sensory pleasure of a drink — the sound of ice in the shaker, the way a well-balanced cocktail hits the tongue — but your stomach and head have started filing complaints. I get it. As I’ve gotten older, I can feel even a single drink the next day. And while I don’t miss the hangover, I do miss the ritual: mixing something beautiful, treating myself, sharing a moment.

For many of us, the solution isn’t abstinence, it’s adaptation. It’s about discovering new ways to preserve the pleasure without incurring the punishment.

Where do you begin?

The Best Vodka Substitute for Every Kind of Drinker

Non-Alcoholic Spirits

For too long,  “non-alcoholic” meant a sad mocktail — sugar water dressed up in a coupe glass. Thankfully, the category has grown up. Non-alcoholic spirits now come in elegant bottles that feel as elevated as their boozy counterparts.

These spirits add complexity through spice, herbs, and bitters to recreate alcohol’s warmth and mouthfeel.

A few of my personal favorites:

• Wilfred’s Bittersweet Aperitif that’s perfect for a faux Negroni
• St. Agrestis Phony Negroni with carbonation and balance that mimic the real thing
• Three Spirit, whose Amaro-style blends bring gentle bitterness and depth you can’t just whip up in your kitchen
  

Each of these helps replicate the layered, sensory experience of drinking, giving you something that tastes as good as it looks.

Alcohol Alternatives with a Buzz

But what of us who love the buzz? Flavor is a floor, not a ceiling, and THC-infused non alcoholic spirits are raising the roof.

My favorite is Cantrip Elixir. Its clean, balanced flavor profile blends beautifully into almost any cocktail without hijacking the taste — all while flexibly delivering the buzz you’re seeking.

And, unlike spirits such as rum, where changing the pour changes the entire flavor profile, you can fine-tune your THC dose to match your mood without altering the taste or balance of your cocktail. Think of it as a base that supports your creativity, not one that dictates it.

It’s for people who still enjoy the social lift of drinking but want a lighter, more intentional version of it. The best part? No hangover.

Tonics and Juices

If Elixir is your reliable character actor co-star, then tonics and juices are the scene partners that make every performance shine. A good tonic sharpens the edges; a good juice rounds them out.

A few of my own favorite pairings:

• Fever-Tree Elderflower Tonic to draw out its subtle lychee and floral notes
• Q Mixers Light Tonic crisp and low-calorie, for those who want sparkle without the sugar.
  

And when I’m feeling more spa-day than Saturday night?

• Fresh grapefruit juice adds a bright kick
• Cucumber and lime delivers hydrating, cooling calm — think of it as a skincare routine for your tongue
  

Try out the Twirly Shirley cocktail

If you’re new to non-alcoholic cocktails, consider this your soft landing.

Our team at Cantrip has spent plenty of time behind the bar — myself included — and our CEO and co-founder, Adam Terry, was a mixologist before he was a founder. When we share a recipe, it’s because we’ve actually mixed, tasted, and perfected it ourselves. We know what makes a drink feel special, and we want you to love them as much as we do.

And the Twirly Shirley has become something of a team favorite.

This drink is our playful twist on the Shirley Temple — the classic kid-friendly mocktail that grew up into the Dirty Shirley once vodka entered the picture. Now it’s had its next evolution: a THC Shirley Temple for grown-ups who still love a little whimsy — with a cherry on top. 

Speaking of which, I’m also a huge fan of all the different styles of cherries — maraschino, brandied, you name it. When I make this, I’m not shy about it: I dump in as many maraschino cherries as my heart desires.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Cantrip Elixir
• Splash of cherry syrup
• Stiller's Lemon Lime soda
• Filthy Foods maraschino cherries

Directions:

Pour Elixir and syrup over ice, top with tonic or lemon lime soda, and garnish generously. Sip slowly. Admire the color. Pretend you’re at a fancy beach club or doing it up in your own kitchen temple — either works.

The Ritual Remains

Whether you’re sober, sober-curious, or just selective about what you put in your body, there’s never been a better time to reimagine your relationship with the glass — starting with a great non alcoholic vodka substitute.

Hang onto the hangout, hold the hangover.