The short answer: For a G&T that tastes most like the real thing, our pick is Lyre's Gin Alternative. For a dry, sugar-free botanical serve, choose Seedlip Grove 42 or Garden 108. Barnes & Brown Lady Juniper is the best juniper-led all-rounder. Four Pillars Bloody Bandwagon is the pick for a fruity pink gin.
How we chose: every gin below was in stock at Craft Zero when we wrote this guide. ABV and nutrition come from our product pages. Production details come from each brand's own website where stated.
The best non-alcoholic gins at a glance
| Gin | Style | ABV | Calories per 100ml | Best for | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lyre's Gin Alternative | London dry style | <0.5% | 10 | Classic G&T | Shop now |
| Seedlip Grove 42 | Citrus botanical | 0.0% | 0 | Dry citrus highball | Shop now |
| Seedlip Garden 108 | Herbal botanical | 0.0% | 0 | Herbal G&T | Shop now |
| Barnes & Brown Lady Juniper | Dry gin style | 0.0% | 15.2 | Juniper-led all-rounder | Shop now |
| Four Pillars Bloody Bandwagon | Shiraz gin style | Under 0.4% | 33 | Fruity pink G&T | Shop now |
| Sammy Piquant The Raconteur | Dry gin style, zero sugar | 0.0% | See label | Martini-style serves | Shop now |
Our picks in more detail
Best overall: Lyre's Gin Alternative
Modelled on a London dry gin, with juniper, citrus, orange blossom, lime, jasmine and mint, an earthy mid-palate and pepperberry warmth. It is the most familiar-tasting gin alternative we stock, which makes it the easiest starting point for gin drinkers. It lists 10 calories per 100ml. Shop Lyre's Gin Alternative.
Best dry botanical: Seedlip Grove 42 and Garden 108
Seedlip doesn't try to copy gin. Grove 42 is bright and citrusy with orange, lemon, ginger, lemongrass and Japanese sansho pepper. Garden 108 is green and herbal, built on peas and hay with rosemary and thyme. Both are listed at 0.0% ABV with no calories or sugar. Shop Seedlip Grove 42 or Seedlip Garden 108.
Best juniper-led all-rounder: Barnes & Brown Lady Juniper
A juniper-led dry gin style with citrus, orange blossom, jasmine, lemon myrtle and black pepper, finishing dry and gently spicy. It is 0.0% ABV and works in a G&T, Gimlet or Martini-style serve. Shop Lady Juniper or see the Barnes & Brown range.
Best pink gin: Four Pillars Bloody Bandwagon
From one of Australia's best-known gin distillers, Bloody Bandwagon is the alcohol-free take on Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin. Our listing says it combines individually distilled botanicals with unfermented Yarra Valley Shiraz juice. Expect red berries, juniper, citrus and pepperberry with gentle sweetness. Shop Bloody Bandwagon.
Best zero-sugar dry gin: Sammy Piquant The Raconteur
A sharp, juniper-forward dry style with coriander and lemon peel. Our listing describes it as zero sugar, gluten free, vegan and 0% ABV. It suits drinkers who want their G&T bone dry. Shop The Raconteur or browse Sammy Piquant.
Lyre's vs Seedlip: the main comparison
Lyre's and Seedlip are the two brands most people compare when they first look for an alcohol-free gin. They do quite different jobs.
| Lyre's | Seedlip | |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Founded in Sydney in 2019 | English, created by Ben Branson |
| How it's made | Crafted as non-alcoholic from the start, blending natural essences, extracts and distillates | Built on distilling botanicals, inspired by 17th-century distilled herbal recipes |
| Flavour approach | Mimics a specific classic spirit | Its own botanical blends, not a copy of gin |
| ABV | Under 0.5% | 0.0% on our listings |
| Calories per 100ml | 10 (Gin Alternative) to 75 (Italian Orange) | 0 |
| Sugar | Varies by product | 0g on our listings |
| Range at Craft Zero | Gin, Pink Gin, Italian Orange, Italian Spritz, Vermouth, Dark Rum and Bourbon | Garden 108, Grove 42, Spice 94 |
| Best for | Classic cocktails like G&Ts, Negronis and spritzes | Highballs with tonic, dry and herbal serves |
| Shop | Lyre's range | Seedlip range |
How Lyre's and Seedlip are made
Lyre's says its spirits are crafted as non-alcoholic from the outset. Its team analyses the flavour of a classic spirit, then recreates it using natural essences, extracts and distillates. Lyre's notes that its range contains a small amount of naturally occurring alcohol from those ingredients, which is why it is labelled under 0.5% ABV rather than 0.0%. You can read more in the Lyre's FAQ.
Seedlip began when founder Ben Branson found 17th-century recipes for distilled herbal remedies and started experimenting with a small copper still at home, according to Seedlip's own story. The result is a set of distilled botanical blends rather than copies of existing spirits.
Which should you choose?
- You miss the taste of gin: Lyre's Gin Alternative.
- You want zero sugar and a dry, herbal G&T: Seedlip Garden 108 or Grove 42.
- You make lots of different cocktails: Lyre's, because its range also covers vermouth, Italian Orange and rum styles for a full Negroni or spritz.
- You are buying a gift: the Seedlip Trio bundles all three Seedlip blends.
Both brands sit in a similar bracket, so flavour should decide it. Browse the Lyre's range or Seedlip.
Is non-alcoholic gin gluten free?
It depends on the brand, so always check the label. Lyre's says its products are generally considered gluten free because most formulations contain no wheat, barley, rye or oats, but it doesn't hold formal gluten-free certification. Our Sammy Piquant listing describes The Raconteur as gluten free. For what gluten labels actually mean in Australia, see our explainer on gluten free vs low gluten.
Also worth a look: non-alcoholic rum
If your drinks cabinet goes beyond gin, alcohol-free rum is the next most searched spirit. Lyre's White Rum and Dark Rum cover mojitos and Dark 'n' Stormy-style serves. Barnes & Brown Señorita Bianco is a 0.0% white rum style with vanilla and tropical fruit. See our full non-alcoholic rum range.
How to make a non-alcoholic gin and tonic
- Fill a large glass with plenty of ice.
- Add 30 to 60ml of your chosen gin alternative.
- Top with 150ml of good tonic.
- Garnish with lime for Lyre's, a herb sprig for Garden 108, an orange slice for Grove 42 or a lemon wedge for Bloody Bandwagon.
Prefer it ready-made? Try a canned non-alcoholic gin and tonic. For more tasting notes on individual bottles, read our earlier non-alcoholic gin taste test or our deep dive into Lyre's non-alcoholic spirits. The full range is in our non-alcoholic gin collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best non-alcoholic gin in Australia?
For a classic G&T, Lyre's Gin Alternative. For a dry, sugar-free botanical drink, Seedlip Grove 42 or Garden 108. For a juniper-led all-rounder, Barnes & Brown Lady Juniper.
Is Lyre's or Seedlip better?
Neither is better overall. Lyre's is closer to classic gin and has a bigger range. Seedlip is drier, listed with no sugar and has its own botanical character.
Does non-alcoholic gin contain alcohol?
Some do in tiny amounts. Lyre's is under 0.5% ABV and Four Pillars Bloody Bandwagon is under 0.4%. Seedlip, Barnes & Brown Lady Juniper and Sammy Piquant The Raconteur are listed at 0.0%.
Which non-alcoholic gin tastes most like gin?
Lyre's Gin Alternative, Barnes & Brown Lady Juniper and Sammy Piquant The Raconteur are all built around juniper. Seedlip makes its own botanical blends rather than copying gin.
How long does an opened bottle last?
Without alcohol to preserve them, non-alcoholic spirits don't keep as long as regular spirits once opened. Check the label for storage advice and keep the bottle sealed and cool.
