Alcohol-free. Non-alcoholic. Dealcoholized. Low alcohol. Light alcohol.
As the market for alcohol alternatives continues to grow, so does the confusion around what these labels actually mean. While many of the terms are used interchangeably in conversation, they have specific definitions under Canadian regulations. Here’s what to look for on the label – and what each category means.
What’s the Difference Between Alcohol-Free and Non-Alcoholic?
In Canada, there is very little practical difference between the two terms. Both “alcohol-free” and “non-alcoholic” may be used to describe products containing less than 0.05% alcohol by volume. While consumers often use the terms interchangeably, other categories such as dealcoholized, low alcohol and light alcohol have different definitions under Canadian regulations.
Alcohol-Free & Non-Alcoholic Drinks
Desert Margarita, Parch Spirits Co.
The new non-alcoholic Marg from Parch Spirits is a triple-citrus blend of Mexican limes, tangerine juice and orange bitters, finished off with their organic Blue Weber agave, tamarind and wild-harvested Sonoran Desert salt.
https://www.thesobrmarket.com/products/leitz-eins-zwei-zero-blanc-de-blancs”>
Blanc de Blancs,
eitz Eins Zwei Zero
The newest addition to Leitz Eins Zwei Zero’s alcohol-free wine portfolio is a crisp, refreshing blanc de blancs with the flavours of lime and citrus complemented by subtle hints of gooseberry and starfruit.
https://www.thesobrmarket.com/products/leitz-eins-zwei-zero-blanc-de-blancs
https://www.withgracemarketplace.com/products/pure-blend-cassia-cinnamon-hibiscus?_pos=1&_sid=7d531f0d1&_ss=r””https://ellegourmet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/seraphim-social-beverage.jpg” alt=”A wine bottle with a floral label and pink foil cap over a light blue circle” width=”960″ height=”960″Pure Blend Cassia,
Seraphim Social Beverage
Seraphim uses a proprietary blend of berries and botanicals brewed and imbued with the essence of wine to create a non-sparkling beverage that drinks like a red. The Pure Blend Cassia has a vibrant and fruit-forward flavour profile with tart berries and hints of cinnamon and spice.
https://www.withgracemarketplace.com/products/pure-blend-cassia-cinnamon-hibiscus?_pos=1&_sid=7d531f0d1&_ss=r
Non-Alcoholic Sangria, Farm Boy Your local Farm Boy now stocks a range of alcohol alternatives, including beers, mocktails and this lightly sparkling 0% sangria. It’s crafted with traditional winemaking techniques and pasteurized before alcoholizaition – you’ll taste a crisp, well-balanced flavour and gentle effervescence. ABV: 0.0% $3 https://www.farmboy.ca/products/farm-boy-non-alcoholic-sangria-275-ml
Non-Alc Bubbly White Cans, Proxies x Nomadica Proxies (Acid League’s Michelin-sommelier-approved de-alcoholized wine brand) teamed up with Californian vegan winemaker Nomadica for this new product. The bright, aromatic bubbly is inspired by coastal Mediterranean whites with the flavours of peach, grapefruit zest, lilac and sea salt. ABV: 0.0% $40/6 https://drinkproxies.com/en-ca/products/proxies-x-nomadica-bubbly-white-6-pack?variant=44608749306090
*Regulatory information excerpted from The Government of Canada Food Inspection Agency
Dealcoholized Drinks Explained
Unlike the other categories in this guide, dealcoholized refers to how a beverage is made rather than simply its alcohol content. These products begin as traditional wine, beer or spirits before the alcohol is removed. Because they’re made from the real thing, they often deliver flavours and aromas that closely resemble their alcoholic counterparts.
iOTA Non-Alcoholic Cerveza ABV 0.5%
iOTA & Phillips Brewing & Malting Co.
The new Mexican-inspired beer from iOTA is a Cerveza-style lager with hints of freshly-made corn tortillas, malt, soda crackers and floral hops, all leading to a crisp, clean finish. The light-bodied beer is brewed with malted barley from local Vancouver Island farmers.
Low Alcohol: Less Than 1.1% ABV
Looking to moderate your alcohol intake without giving it up entirely? In Canada, products labelled “low alcohol” contain less than 1.1% alcohol by volume. You’ll most often see the term on beer, wine and ready-to-drink beverages designed for moderation-minded drinkers.
Low alcohol drinks we love:
Paradisco Hazy IPA,
Tuesday Brewing Tuesday Brewing, a new Canadian line of non-alcoholic beers, has released their Paradisco Hazy IPA just in time for summer. The tropical, hoppy brew has flavours of tangerine, mango, stone fruit and a hint of resinous pine – plus a kick of Vitamin C.
ABV: 0.5%
$12/4
Prickly Red,
Studio Null
For a premium low-alcohol red, look towards California’s wine country. Studio Null’s new Pricky Red is a dry blend of Tempranillo and Syrah with a carbonic bite and savoury, round profile with tannin. The wine is aged for nine months in French oak after fermenting in concrete tanks.
ABV: 0.3%
$46
https://www.thesobrmarket.com/products/null-prickly-red
Golden Pale Ale by Ellie Black,
Sober Carpenter
Halifax’s Ellie Black is set to become the first Canadian artistic gymnast to compete at four Olympic Games this summer – and her new limited-edition beer with Sober Carpenter is the perfect way to celebrate. This golden pale ale has a light, balanced profile and only 40 calories.
ABV: 0.5%
$43/12
https://sobercarpenter.com/products/golden-pale-ale-limited-edition-12-x-473ml
Wander+Found Variety Pack,
Wander+Found
Toronto’s Wander+Found has recently debuted three of their popular non-alcoholic wines – the Sparkling Cuvée Blanc, Sparkling Rosé and Pinot Noir – in summer-ready can form. Pick up six in a variety pack from Upside Drinks.
ABV: <0.5%
$25/6
https://upsidedrinks.ca/products/wander-found-variety-pack
Lemongrass Ginger Saison,
Libra
Meet the new limited-edition brew from Libra: Their botanical-powered Lemongrass Ginger Saison beer is a blend of herbal notes and zesty ginger, culminating in a satisfyingly dry finish. Order up some Thai and discover your new favourite pairing.
ABV: 0.4%
$12/4
https://www.anbl.com/saison-farmhouse-ale-1/libra-lemongrass-ginger-saison-4-c-43580
Pilsner,
Partake Brewing
With only 25 calories and less than 0.5% alcohol, the new limited-edition Pilsner from Partake Brewing can be enjoyed guilt-free. A mild malty sweetness is balanced with a slight bitter taste and a clean-dry finish.
ABV: <0.5%
$30/12
https://drinkpartake.com/collections/beers/products/pilsner-ca?variant=39934998806733
Light Alcohol: What it Means
Unlike low-alcohol beverages, the definition of “light” varies by beverage category. Light wines contain 9% alcohol or less, light ciders contain 4% or less and light whiskys contain 25% or less. For beer, products between 2.6% and 4.0% ABV are considered light.
Light alcohol drinks we love:
Old School Light Lager,
Bench Brewing
Niagara’s Bench built their brewery out of a refurbished schoolhouse in Beamsville, Ont. – their new light American-style lager is called “Old School” in a nod to the origin story. Light-bodied and crisp with a subtle, herbal character, this beer has delicate aromas of aromas of maize, water crackers and light bread.
ABV: 3.8%
$3
https://benchbrewing.com/products/old-school-light-lager
Lemon Spritz Veneto,
Bottega
The new limited-edition Lemon Spritz from Bottega is a fresh, zesty blend of sparkling wine, Sicilian Limoncino and fresh mint. It’s fresh and full-bodied, with a slight bittersweetness and tart citrus taste. Mix with Prosecco or sip solo – don’t forget the lemon wedge or mint leaf to garnish.
ABV: 5.4%
$15.50
https://www.lcbo.com/en/bottego-lemon-spritz-veneto-36841
Sidney Low-Alcohol Pinot Grigio,
Sidney
Sidney’s 7% A.B.V. Pinot Grigio is full-flavoured, elegantly balanced, bright and lively with only 1 gram of sugar and 90 calories per serving. With delightful notes of white peach, pink grapefruit and Meyer lemon, Sidney is the perfect treat for the moderation-minded. Available at the Wine Rack.
ABV: 7%
$16.95
https://www.winerack.com/products/refreshments/sidney-pinot-grigio-icb-wine-750-ml
Sortilège Blueberry,
Sortilège
Quebec’s Sortilège uses maple syrup in their whisky distillation process – a nod to the traditions of French Canada’s early settlers, who added maple syrup to their eau de vie. This one is flavoured with wild blueberries from Lac St. Jean for a fruity, summer-ready whisky.
ABV: 23%
$36
https://www.lcbo.com/en/sortilege-blueberry-508150
Bramble Berry Light Cider,
Shiny Apple Cider
Shiny Apple Cider unveiled their new Bramble Berry flavour this year, a vegan- and gluten-free Ontario light cider with a fruity kick. Tart blackberry and lemon flavours lead to a subtle botanical finish. This one picked up two gold medals at the 2024 All Canadian Wine Championships.
ABV: 4%
$3.50
https://www.lcbo.com/en/shiny-apple-cider-bramble-berry-light-38394
Stoneleigh Lighter Rosé,
Stoneleigh
The new easy-drinking wine from New Zealand’s Stoneleigh is an extra-light rosé with a bouquet of red berry and orchard fruit aromas. Fresh and vibrant on the palate with delicate flavours of yellow plum, this wine is made sustainably from orchard to bottle.
ABV: 9%
$20
https://www.lcbo.com/en/stoneleigh-lighter-rose-24081
Low alcohol drinks
Which Category Should You Choose?
Whatever your reason for cutting back, Canada’s growing market of alternatives means there has never been a better time to explore what’s available.
