Navigating Non-Alcoholic Beverages: Benefits and Risks

It’s Dry January—but non-alcoholic cocktails needn’t be sad. We’re discussing the health risks of alcohol and how to build out a delicious buzz-free bar cart.

Guests: NYT reporter Dana G. Smith and Wirecutter editor Marguerite Preston 

Products we recommend: 

• A gin-like alternative: Pentire Adrift
• St. Agrestis Non-Alcoholic Phony Negroni
• A bitter Amaro-like favorite: The Pathfinder
• Rosie enjoys mixing this with Pathfinder: Uncle Waithley’s Vincy Brew
• Less bitter options: Curious No. 2  and Casamara Superclasico
• Great for your NA Bar Cart: Bitter Queens Essential Bitters Variety Pack and Luxardo Original Maraschino Cherries
• Marguerite loves: Onyx Coffee Lab Instant Coffee Advent Calendar

Additional Reading 

• 14 Best Nonalcoholic Drinks of 2024
• Even a Little Alcohol Can Harm Your Health by Dana G. Smith
• What, Exactly, Is ‘Moderate Drinking’? by Dana G. Smith
• What to Know About Non-Alcoholic Beverages by Dana G. Smith
• Hop Water Isn’t Trying to Be Beer. That’s Why We Like It.
• The 8 Best Nonalcoholic Wines of 2024
• The Best Instant Coffee

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The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.

Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast