The No & Low Revolution — My Sober October Wrap-Up

My summary around No and Low is that it's a really exciting movement that’s here to stay.

We all want to drink in moderation, especially as we move into the festive season, and now, finally, there are options that make that easy. It’s completely normal to order a non-alcoholic drink in a bar. No awkwardness, no side-eye. And the best part? The quality is catching up fast.

I spent October tasting across the No & Low spectrum — from alcohol-liberated wines to mid-strength blends and grown-up botanical aperitifs. Some surprised me, some disappointed me, but overall it left me convinced: this isn’t a fad, it’s the future.

Here’s my Sober October edit — the good, the bad, and the genuinely brilliant.

ZENO – “Alcohol-Liberated,” Not Alcohol-Free

ZENO is rewriting the language of drinking. I love their phrase alcohol-liberated because it makes a clear distinction — this isn’t wine pretending to be wine.

The Cabernet-Tempranillo red was my top pick: vibrant cherry fruit, savoury tannins and a satisfyingly dry finish. The Viura white is crisp and floral, while the sparkling white has gooseberry and grapefruit lift that instantly transports me to Barcelona. The rosé was the real surprise — a little Macabeo red in the blend adds weight and texture, creating a proper grown-up pink.

The cans didn’t quite work for me, but the bottles? 4/5. Modern, confident, and drinkable.

BOTIVO – The One I Always Come Back To

If you only try one alcohol-free drink this year, make it Botivo. Bitter, bright and beautifully refreshing, it’s the one I always keep in my cupboard.

Made in small batches in Hertfordshire, it’s infused with rosemary, thyme, gentian, orange zest and wild botanicals, balanced with honey and apple cider vinegar. It’s dry, herbal and gorgeously complex — nothing like the sugary mocktails of years past.

I drink it two ways:• With tonic and a slice of orange• Over ice, solo and simple

It’s grown-up, refreshing, and genuinely delicious. 5/5. I love it.

EVERLEAF – Forest, Marine, and Mountain

Everleaf, founded by conservation biologist-turned-bartender Paul Mathew, bottles the natural world through three distinctive non-alcoholic aperitifs.

I tried them all with tonic, and here’s my honest verdict:• Forest – saffron, vanilla, cassia bark. Too sweet for me — more dessert than aperitif.• Marine – kelp, blackthorn, sea rosemary. Absolutely loved it: salty, savoury, crisp and refreshing.• Mountain – strawberry, cherry, rosehip. Pretty, floral and balanced, with a subtle dryness.

It turns out, I’m a Marine girl through and through. 5/5. I’ve even ordered it in a bar instead of a gin and tonic.

FUTURE CHÂTEAU – Mid-Strength, Maximum Style

Two-thirds fewer calories. Half the alcohol. Proper flavour.

Future Château, created by Tom Benn, is the most exciting innovation I’ve tasted this year — proof that mid-strength wine can actually taste like wine. Each bottle sits at 5% ABV but still delivers structure, aroma and pleasure.

The Syrah Grenache is juicy with raspberry and cherry fruit, the Sauvignon Vermentino zesty and bright, and the Sparkling Chardonnay blend is crisp, dry and genuinely Champagne-like.

It’s not about abstinence or guilt — it’s about pleasure in balance. Future Château makes Tuesday night feel as joyful as Saturday.

Available at FutureChateau.com and Selfridges.

Final Pour

Sober October isn’t about saying no, it’s about saying yes to better options.

From the bitterness of Botivo to the balance of Future Château, I’ve realised that moderation can be indulgent, stylish and, most importantly, delicious. The No & Low category has come of age, and it’s only getting better.

So whether you’re pacing yourself before Christmas or just fancy a night off, pour something interesting into your glass — because these days, “no” can still taste like celebration.

Elizabeth x