Across Europe, more people are choosing to drink less or not at all. Health, clarity, and balance have become priorities, and the rise of the “sober curious” movement is changing how we think about social drinking. Younger generations, in particular, are driving this shift, with many moving away from alcohol entirely; the reason probably lies in favour of mindfulness and well-being.
Personally, I have now gone a full year without drinking. Maybe I had three glasses of wine along the way on super special occasions, but that’s about it. What started as a personal experiment became a habit, and I’m far from alone; some friends joined, some judged, and many applauded the decision. The shift away from alcohol is no longer a quiet lifestyle; it’s becoming a broader cultural movement that values well-being, self-control, and connection without the hangover.
And, of course, there’s no shift without evolution. Throughout this journey, I’ve seen many traditional brands adapt to these changes and launch their own non-alcoholic beverages to continue serving people like me, because one thing is clear: we might not be drinking, but we’re still showing up at the bar.
For this article, I wanted to highlight 10 European startups reshaping what it means to raise a glass. These companies are crafting refined, flavourful, and modern non-alcoholic drinks that rival their traditional counterparts. Cheers to it!
Founded in 2021, Bemuse is a London-based company reimagining mead for modern tastes through its range of non-alcoholic sparkling honey wines. Crafted with natural, sustainably sourced ingredients, Bemuse combines the complexity of traditional mead with the lightness of a contemporary sparkling drink. Each variety, including Pomona Ginger & Cardamom Brut, Fiora Wild Raspberry Rosé, and Origo Original Brut, is low in sugar, low in calories, and gluten-free. Produced and canned in the UK, Bemuse offers an elegant alternative for those seeking a dry, refreshing beverage that pairs well with food or cocktails.
Inspired by the vital role of bees in biodiversity, Bemuse aims to promote sustainability and environmental awareness through its products and initiatives such as Pollinator Trails. The brand has received multiple awards and critical acclaim from publications. With €369K in funding, Bemuse continues to grow its presence across Europe, bringing a naturally inspired, alcohol-free fizz to the table.
Founded in 2024, Bolle Drinks offers non-alcoholic sparkling wines made using natural flavours and aromas. Based in London, the company employs an advanced de-alcoholisation process that maintains the sensory qualities of traditional sparkling wine while providing a healthier option for mindful consumers.
Bolle’s exceptional quality has earned its place at some of the world’s most prestigious establishments, including The Fat Duck, A. Wong, and the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. The company’s focus on craftsmanship and sensory precision has positioned it as a leader in the emerging alcohol-free sparkling wine market. With its wines now served at Michelin-starred restaurants across Europe and the United States, Bolle continues to redefine luxury drinking experiences for the modern era.
Founded in 2020, French Bloom is a Paris-based company producing premium, alcohol-free sparkling wines that blend French craftsmanship with a focus on wellness. Created by friends Maggie Frerejean-Taittinger and Constance Jablonski, the brand was born from their shared desire to offer sophisticated, celebratory drinks for every occasion. Crafted from organic Chardonnay wines that are dealcoholised to 0.0% alcohol, French Bloom’s cuvées combine natural and organic ingredients, including lemon, and are free from added sugar and sulphites.
French Bloom’s award-winning range includes Le Blanc, Le Rosé, L’Extra Brut, and La Cuvée Vintage 2022, each reflecting the brand’s dedication to quality and French savoir-faire. With €8 million in funding, the company has gained international recognition, earning multiple titles at the World Sparkling Wine Awards, including “World’s Best Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Wine.” French Bloom continues to redefine the art of conviviality, offering a fresh, elegant alternative that celebrates inclusivity and the modern French lifestyle.
Founded in 2020, JNPR Spirits is a Normandy-based company developing alcohol-free drinks inspired by classic gins and cocktails. Created by Valérie de Sutter after a trip to the United States, the idea was to craft refined, sugar-free alternatives that celebrate flavour, craftsmanship, and choice. Partnering with bartender Flavio Angiolillo, she aimed to create complex, aromatic spirits that stand proudly alongside their alcoholic counterparts. The company’s name comes from juniper berries, gin’s signature ingredient, and JNPR has planted over 500 juniper shrubs in Normandy to promote biodiversity and secure its future supply.
Produced in small batches using a copper Charentais still, JNPR’s alcohol-free spirits combine traditional distillation methods with modern innovation. The result is a collection of sugar-free, vegan, and gluten-free beverages known for their depth and balance. Having raised €1.1 million, JNPR has become one of France’s leading brands in the 0.0% spirits category, recognised by Gault & Millau, Le Figaro Magazine, and Forbes for redefining the apéritif experience.
Founded in 2021, Mahala Botanical is a London-headquartered company producing non-alcoholic, triple-distilled spirits made with nine hand-sourced botanicals. Created by South African Master Distiller Danielle Schoeman, Mahala was born from her experiments at the Dona craft distillery in the Western Cape, where she developed a vacuum infusion process that preserves rich, natural flavours. The name “Mahala,” meaning “free” in Zulu slang, reflects the brand’s ethos — free from sugar, alcohol, colourants, and artificial flavours, while also being vegan and gluten-free.
Distilled in custom-built stills, Mahala’s range includes the award-winning Mahala Botanical Classic and the smoky, oak-infused Mahala Botanical Amber. The brand has earned international recognition, winning top prizes at the Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards, the World Alcohol-Free Awards, and the Great Taste Awards. With €172K in funding, Mahala continues to expand its presence across Europe, offering consumers a sophisticated, all-natural alternative to traditional spirits.
Founded in 2020, NietsCo is a Brussels-based company crafting premium alcohol-free alternatives to traditional spirits. The brand combines innovation with authenticity, producing triple-distilled beverages that retain the depth and balance of their alcoholic counterparts. Its portfolio includes Botaniets, a 0.0% London-style spirit, Havaniets, a barrel-aged dark spirit made from sugarcane molasses and aged in oak barrels, and Aperiniets, a modern Italian-style aperitivo made with Sicilian oranges and aromatic herbs.
Positioned at the intersection of tradition and innovation, NietsCo has earned multiple international awards, including recognition from the IWSC in New York and Bartender London. The company has raised €1.94 million to expand its portfolio and strengthen its footprint across Europe. With its focus on craftsmanship, low-calorie recipes, and sophisticated flavours, NietsCo is redefining the art of alcohol-free distillation for a new generation of mindful drinkers.
Established in 2020, REBELS 0.0% is a Zurich-based company producing award-winning, alcohol-free spirits that celebrate freedom of choice. Handmade in Switzerland, its collection includes innovative alternatives such as Botanical Dry, Dolce Spritz, Sweet Amaretti, Malt Blend, Dark Spice, and Rosso. Each beverage is crafted from natural botanicals and double-distilled to preserve the depth, aroma, and complexity found in traditional spirits, offering a sophisticated drinking experience without alcohol or compromise.
Having raised €2.98 million, REBELS 0.0% has become one of Switzerland’s leading voices in the alcohol-free movement. The brand’s mission is to challenge conventional drinking norms and create inclusivity through mindful consumption. With multiple international awards and collaborations with top bartenders, REBELS 0.0% continues to expand across Europe, inviting consumers to join what it calls the “Cheers Revolution.”
Founded in 2020, Edinburgh-based Talonmore Drinks is a family-owned company creating alcohol-free spirits inspired by Scotland’s natural surroundings and festival culture. Its signature product is a fiery, ginger-infused blend crafted from rooted and plant-based ingredients to replicate the depth and warmth of traditional spirits. Talonmore is vegan, gluten-free, caffeine-free, and produced at a SALSA-certified site, offering a complex and versatile base for cocktails or a bold serve on the rocks.
Recognised by both Good Housekeeping and Men’s Health as the number one non-alcoholic spirit in blind taste tests, Talonmore has gained attention for its balance of spice, malt, and sweetness. With €88K in funding, the company continues to expand its partnerships and product range while promoting mindful drinking through natural ingredients and refined flavour.
Founded in 2021, Thrive is a Ghent-based company producing alcohol-free beers designed for active lifestyles. Developed in collaboration with scientists from KU Leuven University, Thrive combines brewing tradition with sports nutrition to create functional beers enriched with protein, vitamins, and magnesium. Each variant is crafted from natural ingredients to support recovery, health, and relaxation while maintaining the full flavour of traditional beer.
With €1 million in funding, Thrive has already sold more than three million beers and earned the endorsement of world-class athletes such as Ironman World Champion Jan Frodeno and Belgian climber Chloé Caulier. Brewed in Belgium and praised for its refreshing, citrusy taste, Thrive continues to bridge the gap between wellness and enjoyment, proving that beer can be both rewarding and good for you.
Founded in 2024, zerolabs is a Munich-based company redefining non-alcoholic beer through craftsmanship, technology, and a commitment to purity. Brewed in partnership with a historic Bavarian brewery, zerolabs produces sugar-free, low-calorie beers made only from water, barley, hops, and yeast. Its two varieties, Unfiltered 0.0 and Future Pilsner, follow the German Purity Law and use vacuum distillation to achieve a true 0.0% alcohol content without compromising flavour or aroma. Both are crafted using Hallertau hops, locally sourced barley malt, and spring water from Bavaria.
The company’s approach combines centuries-old brewing expertise with cutting-edge techniques, resulting in a full-bodied, refreshing taste that rivals traditional beer. Brewed over a six-week process for maximum quality, they prioritise transparency and sustainability, offering products that are entirely natural and free from artificial additives. With a growing community of mindful drinkers, the brand is quickly gaining recognition across Europe as a benchmark for next-generation alcohol-free brewing.
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Read the orginal article: https://www.eu-startups.com/2025/10/beyond-the-buzz-10-european-startups-leading-the-alcohol-free-revolution/
