The Best Non-Alcoholic Gin? My Honest CleanCo Review

CleanCo is a relatively new company in the alcohol-free spirits market and I am always up to trying new zero alcohol products. I’ve not drunk any alcohol since August 2023 – almost a year! There’s been a growing trend of people doing the same. More of us are opting for non-alcoholic alternatives to our favourite spirits.

CleanCo has gained a lot of attention for its non-alcoholic drinks. Especially the gin alternatives.

Whether you’re looking to reduce your alcohol intake or simply want to enjoy a refreshing drink without the buzz, CleanCo offers a promising solution so you don’t feel like you’re missing out. CleanCo received a positive review from a customer who praised their services and really enjoy tasting their products!

About CleanCo

CleanCo is a UK-based company that was founded in 2019 by Spencer Matthews. He’s known for his appearances on the popular TV show “Made in Chelsea.”

Partnering with Union Distillers, a renowned botanical and distillation expert, CleanCo set out to create a range of alcohol-free spirits that would cater to those seeking a cleaner and healthier lifestyle.

Best Non-Alcoholic Gin: Clean Co vs Others

If you’re looking for the best non-alcoholic gin, CleanCo’s Clean G is a strong contender. Compared to other alcohol-free gin alternatives on the market, it offers excellent value and authentic botanicals. While brands like Seedlip pioneered the category, Clean Co provides similar quality at a more accessible price point.

Alternatives to Gin: The Full CleanCo Range

CleanCo offers a good range of non-alcoholic gin alternatives, each carefully crafted to deliver a distinct flavour profile. They are all vegan and low-calorie. Let’s take a closer look at their offerings:

Clean G: The Classic Gin Alternative

Clean G is CleanCo’s take on a traditional London Dry Gin. Made with aromatic botanicals, including real juniper, Clean G aims to provide the familiar taste of gin without the alcohol content. The crisp flavour profile and balanced botanicals make Clean G an excellent choice for those craving a classic gin drink.

The juniper notes shine through, providing that distinctive gin flavour, while the absence of alcohol allows for guilt-free enjoyment. Whether mixed with tonic water or enjoyed neat over ice, Clean G offers a satisfying and authentic gin experience.

Clean G Ruhbarb

Clean G Rhubarb is a delightful pink non-alcoholic gin. It’s a Clean G with rhubarb and red berry aromas. It’s infused with fruit and botanical flavours, this cloudy gin presents a symphony of fruity rhubarb, juniper, and citrus notes, complemented by hints of coriander, mint, and cinnamon.

Clean R: The Rum Alternative

Clean R is CleanCo’s answer to the demand for non-alcoholic rum alternatives. While traditional rum is known for its rich and complex flavours, Clean R offers a lighter and more subtle taste. With hints of exotic spices and a smooth finish, Clean R is a fantastic option for those who want to enjoy the essence of rum without the alcohol content.

While it may not replicate the full-bodied intensity of alcoholic rum, Clean R provides a pleasant and flavorful alternative. The subtle hints of exotic spices and the smooth finish make Clean R a great choice for those who want to enjoy rum without alcohol.

Clean T: Tequila Without the Bite

Tequila lovers can now enjoy CleanCo’s Clean T, a non-alcoholic tequila alternative. Clean T captures the essence of tequila with its combination of mint, basil, and citrus flavours. While it may not replicate the exact bite of traditional tequila, Clean T provides a refreshing and enjoyable drinking experience that is perfect for cocktails or sipping on its own.

Clean W: The Whiskey alternative

Like Bourbon Whisky? Then try the non-alcoholic Clean W. It has oak and sweet vanilla notes, evolving into a flavourful blend of spice, apple, and figs, culminating in a smooth, satisfying finish. Go for a classic bourbon and coke mix over ice.

Ingredients and Production

CleanCo takes pride in using high-quality ingredients to create its non-alcoholic spirits. While the exact distillation process remains a well-guarded secret, CleanCo ensures that its drinks are made with natural flavourings, water, vegetable glycerine, citric acid, and potassium sorbate. By carefully sourcing botanicals like juniper, orris root, cardamom, and angelica root, CleanCo creates a superb non-alcoholic spirit that captures the essence of traditional gin.

My Taste Experience

Inspired by some of the cocktails that you can find on the CleanCo website, I mixed a few drinks myself. Please note that the Clean G Pink is no longer available.

I tried one with:

• honey
• blueberry juice
• soda water
• Clean G Rhubarb

And for one with:

• elderflower
• tonic water
• Clean G Pink

You can taste the classic gin botanicals in these drinks, giving it a gin feel, though it doesn’t replicate the taste fully. It’s a nice alternative that makes you feel like you’re having a nice drink without actually drinking.

I have been enjoying one of these on an evening to sit down and unwind; it makes a nice change to drink something nice instead of just water.

I love the bottles these come in, they look great in our drinks cabinet. At £16 a bottle, they are quite expensive, but they are cheaper than other brands I’ve seen.

Why would you want to buy alcohol-free gin?

You might be wondering what the point of alcohol-free gin is. While it doesn’t give you the same taste as real gin, there are still many occasions where this type of drink would come in handy.

• If you are having a house party or dinner party where people may be drinking, it’s a good thing to offer people an alternative.
• Have a pregnant friend who misses drinking? CleanCo has you covered!
• Are you organising a baby shower for a friend? Again, this would be an appropriate drink instead of alcohol.
• Do you want to drink less, but miss the action of drinking? When I did Dry January a few years ago, alcohol-free drinks helped me through the weekends. I was in the habit of drinking at the weekend and they give me the same feeling of having a fancy glass in my hand! Honestly, I don’t care so much for alcohol-free drinks anymore, but at the start of my alcohol-free journey, they always helped!

Why I stopped drinking

I wanted to stop drinking for years. I did Dry January many times and cut right down, but it always crept back up.

I wanted to stop drinking because my hangovers were getting worse as I got older. It was getting to the point where I could feel rubbish after even one or two drinks. I’d have a bad night’s sleep, then feel rubbish the next day!

Since having a baby, this just got worse, so I decided to quit altogether. The hangovers are just not worth it for me. I hate losing a day to being ill and not being able to do things I had planned. Plus, being ill with a toddler is a nightmare.

I’m much happier now I don’t drink; no more waking up with a bad head and wasting time being sick. It’s great to feel fresh as a daisy on a Sunday morning.

I am more motivated and have more energy. There are so many times when I’ve not gone to the gym, skipped my piano practice and spent hours in front of the TV instead of doing something worthwhile.

As CleanCo’s motto goes, ‘A life less wasted,’ and that’s exactly how I feel.

Where to Buy CleanCo Gin

CleanCo alcohol free-drinks are available for purchase both online and in select supermarkets such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Ocado. You can find CleanCo products on their official website or through online retailers specialising in alcohol-free alternatives.

How Does CleanCo Compare to Other Non-Alcoholic Gins?

The non-alcoholic spirits market has exploded in the last few years, which is brilliant if you don’t drink but also means there’s a lot to wade through. Here’s how CleanCo’s Clean G sits against the main alternatives.

CleanCo Clean G vs Seedlip

Seedlip is probably the best-known name in the non-alcoholic spirits world — it launched in 2015 and basically created the category. But here’s the thing: Seedlip isn’t really trying to taste like gin. It’s its own thing — herbal, complex, more of a sophisticated soft drink than a gin substitute. If you add tonic to Seedlip Spice 94, it’s really nice. But if you’re after something that scratches the gin-and-tonic itch specifically, it might not scratch it.

CleanCo is more overtly gin-like. The botanical profile is closer to what you’d expect from a gin — juniper-forward, that slightly bitter botanical edge. If gin is specifically what you’re missing, CleanCo is a better fit than Seedlip.

CleanCo Clean G vs Caleño

Caleño is the fun, tropical one — it’s inspired by Colombian botanicals and has a more vibrant, fruity flavour profile. Lovely stuff, but it tastes like a holiday cocktail rather than a gin. If you’re after something refreshing and a bit different, Caleño is brilliant. If you want something closer to a classic gin and tonic, CleanCo wins.

CleanCo Clean G vs Lyre’s

Lyre’s is probably the most ambitious of the non-alcoholic spirit brands — they make an enormous range covering everything from gin to rum to amaretto. Their American Malt is brilliant. Their Dry London Spirit (their gin equivalent) is very competent and genuinely gin-like. I’d say it and CleanCo are the closest competitors: both are clearly aiming to replicate the gin experience. Lyre’s tends to be slightly more widely available in supermarkets. Taste-wise they’re comparable — try both if you can.

The short version: CleanCo is one of the best options if gin specifically is what you want. It’s genuinely gin-like in a way that Seedlip isn’t and more classic-tasting than Caleño.

Simple Cocktails to Make with CleanCo Gin

You don’t need complicated recipes to get the most out of this. Here are a few things I actually make:

The obvious one — CleanCo G&T CleanCo Clean G over ice, with a good quality tonic (Fever-Tree or Fentimans rather than supermarket own-brand — it makes a real difference with a lighter spirit), and a slice of cucumber or a sprig of rosemary. Serves one. Takes two minutes. Genuinely lovely.

CleanCo Elderflower Spritz CleanCo Clean G, elderflower cordial (about a teaspoon), a squeeze of lemon juice, and sparkling water or a light tonic. A bit softer and more floral than a straight G&T. Good for summer.

Cucumber and Lime Cooler CleanCo Clean G, a good squeeze of lime, a few slices of cucumber, mint leaves, and soda water. Muddle the cucumber and mint first if you want more flavour, or just drop them in if you want something lighter. Refreshing and not too sweet.

A non-alcoholic Negroni-ish thing This one takes a bit more kit. CleanCo Clean G, a non-alcoholic sweet vermouth (Lyre’s do one), and a non-alcoholic Campari equivalent (also Lyre’s — their Aperitif Rosso). Stir over ice, strain into a glass with an orange peel twist. It’s not quite a Negroni but it’s closer than you’d think.

Which CleanCo drink would you try?

I’ve enjoyed trying the two gins – but I have my eye on the Whisky! I have been tempted to buy a whiskey alternative before; it’s probably one of the drinks I miss the most. Even though I didn’t drink it that much, I always enjoyed a late-night whiskey.

Cheers to a cleaner, healthier, and more enjoyable drinking experience with CleanCo.

Clean Co Gin FAQs

What is the best non-alcoholic gin?

CleanCo’s Clean G is one of the best non-alcoholic gin options available. It captures authentic gin botanicals without alcohol, offering 7-day wear at an affordable price compared to other alcohol-free gin alternatives.

Is Clean Co gin actually alcohol-free?

Yes, all CleanCo products including Clean G are completely alcohol-free (0.0% ABV). They’re made using botanicals but without the distillation process that creates alcohol.

What are good alternatives to gin if you don’t drink alcohol?

Alternatives to gin include CleanCo Clean G, Seedlip, Ceder’s, and Caleno. CleanCo offers the most affordable option while maintaining quality and authentic gin taste.

Where can I buy Clean Co gin?

Clean Co gin is available at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Ocado, and on the CleanCo website. Most major UK supermarkets now stock the range.

How does alcohol-free gin alternative taste?

Alcohol-free gin alternatives like Clean Co capture classic gin botanicals (juniper, citrus, herbs) without the alcohol burn. The taste is lighter than traditional gin but still provides that characteristic gin flavour in cocktails.

Related posts:

• Noughty Alcohol Free Sparkling Wine
• Japanese Chef’s Knives From Knivesandtools
• 19 Best Places To Eat In Helmsley