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There are many reasons to cut out—or cut back on—alcohol. For some, it’s about saving money, others are aiming for better sleep or any of the other myriad health benefits. If you’ve been thinking of reducing your alcohol intake, you’re not alone. Nearly a third of adults say they don’t drink, according to polling from Gallup, and Google Trends shows the search interest in Dry January has increased every year since 2016. Now, after Surgeon General Vivek Murthy released a report linking alcohol consumption to “at least” seven types of cancer, the case for not drinking has never been stronger.
As more people shift their relationship to alcohol, the nonalcoholic industry has exploded. There are more options than ever for those who still want a cocktail experience without the booze, and shops dedicated to stocking and selling spirit-free products have sprung up around the country. The best shops have a staggeringly wide selection: everything from nonalcoholic tequila alternatives, to dealcoholized wines, to alcohol-free beers. With such a wide selection, it’s usually best to ask the staff to help you find something to your taste—and many NA bottle shops pride themselves on knowledgeable employees to help you sift through a sea of products you may be unfamiliar with.
Here are a few of our favorite nonalcoholic bottle shops, where the selections are wide, but carefully curated by their passionate proprietors.
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Cheeky & Dry
When Kristin Vracko opened her NA Bottle Shop, Cheeky & Dry, in Seattle in late 2023, she was the only nonalcoholic shop in town. Vracko personally curates the shop’s entire collection which includes bottles like Figlia aperitif and Dhom Gin. She encourages newcomers to sample to their hearts content in order to find something they’ll love.
Cheeky & Dry, Seattle: instagram.com/cheekyanddry; cheekyanddry.com
Spirited Away
Douglas Watters, who owns Spirited Away, was one of the early evangelists of the NA and spirit alternative lifestyle when he opened the shop in New York’s Lower East Side in November of 2020, just as the spirit-free industry took off. The shop continues to thrive, and Watters has also launched Dry Atlas, a newsletter for NA spirit producers focused on the industry, with his wife, Victoria.
Spirited Away, New York City: instagram.com/spiritedaway.co; spiritedaway.co
Dray
In a town that’s known for its robust drinking culture like Boston it might seem dubious that a nonalcoholic bottle shop could survive. Dray’s success is a testament to owner Pat Dooling’s determination to share his love for spirit-free drinks, evidenced by the highly curated selection. More than NA wines and liquors, Dray also stocks canned cocktails and mixers—everything you’ll need to build out your NA bar cart.
Dray, Boston: instagram.com/draydrinks; draydrinks.com
Dear Dry Drinkery
Based in Austin, Dear Dry Drinkery will almost surely stock an NA bottle so boutique, so obscure, so artisanal that you’ll likely have never heard of it. The team regularly hosts mixology classes, tastings, and other events in partnership with brands. Owner Grace Vroom has dedicated herself to building out a space that proves embracing NA drinking is anything but confining.
Dear Dry Drinkery, Austin: instagram.com/deardrydrinkery; deardrydrinkery.com
Minus Moonshine
Opened in 2021 by Aqxyl Storms, Minus Moonshine is an NA bottle shop in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, that does it all. There are scores of options, naturally, but also books and functional spirits— the category of NA drinks which includes ingredients purported to increase clarity or energy. Minus Moonshine also offers a subscription service that delivers a specially curated selection of new bottles to your doorstep month after month.
Minus Moonshine, Brooklyn: minusmoonshine.com; instagram.com/minusmoonshine/