The Best Oregon-Made Nonalcoholic Mixers
The Wilderton negroni is an alcohol-free way to enjoy the Italian classic.
Oregon has long been a leader within the broader beverage world, with nationally celebrated coffee, beer, wine, and even whiskey. And as interest in temperance has grown, the state’s nonalcoholic drink scene has blossomed. Many grocery stores in Portland now stock Oregon-made NA beers, and bars have started shaking and stirring intricate, thoughtful mocktails beyond simple sodas and juices. At the center of this booze-free boom, Oregon distillers have been replicating craft spirits and cocktails, sans alcohol. The result: sophisticated mixers for any kind of drinker, to keep on a bar or in place of a bar.
When it comes to nonalcoholic spirits, Oregon distilleries head in two separate directions: The liquor-free spirit label Dhōs, from Sheridan’s historic Ransom Distillery, specializes in boozeless versions of classic spirit categories that remarkably mimic their flavors, including gin, orange liqueur, and even a vodka made with potatoes and spiked with horseradish for that alcohol “kick.” Hood River’s Wilderton strikes a different path, opting mainly for botanical-focused spirits that evade direct comparisons.
For those who aren’t up for concocting a compelling cocktail on the fly, Portland’s For Bitter For Worse makes four different alcohol-free drinks closer to canned cocktails than to sodas—some are spritzy and bright, others dark and lush, like the whiskey-adjacent Smoky No. 56. The Saskatoon even resembles a vintage pinot noir.
Below, find a few of our top picks for locally produced alcohol-free alternatives to spirits and cocktails, whether you’re looking to cut back on drinking, avoid alcohol entirely, or just expand your beverage options beyond the booze.
For Bitter For Worse Eva’s Spritz
Why we like it: Eva’s Spritz tastes like the end of summer: Gentian spices play with rhubarb and dried orange peels, while beets and roasted dandelion root give the spritz a gentle, earthy sweetness. It’s made from a mix of rhubarb and beet juice, providing brightness and body that distinguishes it from mocktail seltzers.
How we drink it: Lightly carbonated and complex, Eva’s Spritz is killer straight out of the can, though it’s even better served over a large ice cube. It also mixes well, especially with winter citrus like blood orange and Meyer lemon. Serve it in a wine glass with lemon juice and a citrus seltzer to give it that extra pop. Those looking for an alcohol-free buzz will find it mixes surprisingly well with cold brew coffee; throw in some oat milk for a fun and novel afternoon pick-me-up.
Where to find it: Wellspent Market, New Seasons, and Market of Choice. Order directly at
forbitterforworse.com.
Price tag: $28 per 750 mL bottle, $22 per four-pack of 6.3 oz cans.
Dhōs Bittersweet
Why we like it: Over the past decade, the bittersweet red liqueur family has exploded in popularity, in part thanks to viral interview clips about the Negroni Sbagliato and the embrace of the Milanese happy hour staple, the Aperol Spritz. To that ever-growing assortment of crimson spirits comes a new wave of alcohol-free versions, and Dhōs’s contribution—the aptly named Bittersweet—is one of the strongest. With notes of rhubarb, kumquat, grapefruit, and quinine, it’s like sipping a far-from-cloying, Aperol-flavored Jolly Rancher in liquid form.
How we drink it: Sweetened with monk fruit, Dhōs Bittersweet drinks lighter and less syrupy than many other Aperol-style liqueurs: refreshing, but with enough body to hold up in a mixed drink. That makes it an exceptional substitution for those attempting a zero-proof Aperol Spritz (Leitz Eins Zwei Zero works well as a prosecco swap). Or just knock it back with ice and soda.
Where to find it: Oregon liquor stores, New Seasons, Market of Choice, and Roth’s Fresh Markets. You can also order bottles directly at dhosspirits.com.
Price tag: $34 per 750 mL bottle.
Wilderton Lustre
Why we like it: Crafted by head distiller and former tea maven Seth O’Malley, Wilderton Lustre is a unique botanical spirit, bright and vivid but bone-dry, with a feather-light body and heady aromatics. On first taste, it resembles a white tea, opening up with citrus and florals. The finish is herbaceous and spiced, with notes of tarragon, cinnamon, and dried orange peel.
How we drink it: It’s a lovely sipper, but without alcohol you’ll want to skip the ice if you’re drinking it on its own. It’s not exactly a zero-proof replacement for gin, as it lacks the crucial juniper aromatics, but it stands in well for a London dry—in other words, throw it in some tonic water. Its bright, minerally profile and spices make it an apt stand-in for mezcal; pair it with Wilderton Bittersweet and a nonalcoholic vermouth (Free Spirits makes a nice one) for a fun twist on a mezcal Negroni.
Where to find it: Oregon liquor stores, the Meadow, and grocery stores including New Seasons and Whole Foods.
Price tag: $37 per 750 mL bottle.
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