This is Starter Kit, a series where our editors share the food, drink, and kitchen essentials they recommend when you’re setting up from scratch. Here, Andrea Strong writes about everything you need to set up a nonalcoholic bar for Dry January and beyond.
Here’s a thought as we step into 2026: a bar doesn’t have to be stocked with booze. Certainly, with the impressive new crop of nonalcoholic wines, spirits, cocktails, and beers, it’s kind of a no-brainer to showcase them all. Whether you’re considering a more moderate or even Dry January (after a very wet December), feeling sober-curious, or just interested in exploring the burgeoning world of NA wines and spirits, we thought it might be nice to share a roadmap for how to thoughtfully and expertly curate a beautiful nonalcoholic bar at home.
“What makes a nonalcoholic bar different has less to do with what’s in the glass and more to do with the mindset behind it,” says Justin Gurland, founder of The Maze, NYC’s first alcohol-free members club. For home bars, Gurland says to keep things simple and personal. “You don’t need a large collection to create a great NA bar, just a few things you enjoy and a setup that feels comfortable and welcoming. And if you prefer a Diet Coke over an NA wine, go with that. It’s less about recreating a traditional bar and more about finding what actually works for you. Start with a few products you enjoy, add some mixers or fresh citrus, and use glassware that makes the experience feel intentional.”
From wine to beer to cocktail accessories, barware, and more, we share everything you need to build your very own nonalcoholic bar at home.
In this article
Non-alc wine
The nonalcoholic wine space has grown in the past few years from wine that essentially tasted like sour juice to a far more complex and interesting vino. There are two main types of NA wine: de-alcoholized and proxies.
De-alcoholized wines are regular wines that have had most or all of their alcohol removed after fermentation, retaining flavors, aromas, and complexity of traditional wine. Gurland notes that de-alcoholized wines “tend to pair better with food because they retain more of the structure, acidity, and mouthfeel people expect from wine. Styles like Oddbird, for example, pair more naturally with savory dishes or longer meals.” NA sparkling wines, such as French Bloom, “are great for toasts or lighter occasions rather than food pairing,” he adds.
Hilary Sheinbaum, author of Going Dry: A Workbook: A Practical Guide to Drinking Less and Living More, recommends a mix of still and sparkling options. “I love a good sparkling rosé—especially if it’s nonalcoholic! It’s refreshing, and equally perfect for a summer day as it is during the holidays when effervescent drinks are flowing.” For still wines, nearly all experts favor Giesen 0% Wines. “It’s really hard to find good nonalcoholic red wines on the market, and Giesen does a great job with theirs,” Sheinbaum says. “Giesen 0%’s red is the one I’m always recommending and serving to guests.”
Wine proxies mimic wine-like flavors with fruit juices, botanicals, and teas. “Wine proxies and sparkling alternatives often shine on their own,” he says. “They’re more expressive aromatically and work well as an aperitif or for social moments and celebrations.”
Gurland suggests having a few bottles of each so that depending on whether you’re sitting down for dinner or simply gathering and socializing. “Having both allows the experience to feel intentional rather than restrictive,” he says.
Non-alc beer
Not everyone is a fan of wine (shocking but true), so your bar should also include a selection of beer. “I gravitate to wine, but I know that my friends love beer,” Sheinbaum says. “That said, I want them to have the best of what’s out there!” Luckily, like wine, the beer category has grown up quite a bit as well, so it now includes craft-style brews like Bero and Athletic Brewing, Gurland says. “Today, there’s an entire category of carefully crafted alternatives that make it easier for people to feel included, whether they’re abstaining for a night, a month, or for life.”
Non-alc spirits
Whiskey, tequila, and vodka are all regulars on the traditional bar and should also have a place on the NA bar. Depending on your own preference, you might include a few brown and a few clear spirits. Sheinbaum loves Free Spirits, especially its nonalcoholic gin, tequila, and bourbon. “These are essential for any nonalcoholic bar. These liquids not only help add flavor and mouthfeel, but they are also low-calorie (5 calories per serving) and easy to use in classic cocktails,” she says. To make spritzes, she loves Mionetto Aperitivo Alcohol Free. “This subtly bitter spirit is a must-have for any NA bar. It’s 0% ABV and can be combined with NA sparkling wine for the perfectly balanced NA cocktail. Or it can be combined with a traditional sparkling wine for a low ABV cocktail.”