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How Do I Choose the Best Non-Alcoholic Champagne?

Erik J.J. Goserud
Erik J.J. Goserud

Champagne is most famously known for its presence at most victory celebrations. If you have ever witnessed the locker room of a game seven NBA finals-winning team or been backstage at a rock star's concert, its likely you have seen the characteristic pop and ensuing march of bubbles brought about by a freshly opened champagne bottle. Non-alcoholic champagne is, as its name suggests, the non-alcoholic version of this popular drink. To choose the best variety of this beverage, take into account the company and occasion you are providing for.

There are many different types of adult beverages. Some people prefer beer, and others prefer hard alcohol, such as whiskey, rum, or gin. There are also individuals who prefer wine and people who may like any type of alcohol. Many citizens of the world assume that champagne is its own beverage category, while the reality is that it is a subcategory of wine specific to the region of France from where it gets its name, Champagne. While certain beverages may be too alcohol dense to purify, non-alcoholic champagne is commonly manufactured. This helps the alcohol-free point guard on the winning basketball team take part in the victory celebrations where the "bubbly" is flying.

Sparkling grape juice.
Sparkling grape juice.

Creating a non-alcoholic beverage usually involves some sort of alcohol extraction method following a typical manufacturing process. This means that, generally speaking, the beverage is made as usual, and alcohol is then extracted. This differs from a less-common process of creating a similarly tasting beverage but minimizing the characteristic fermentation that leads to the presence of alcohol.

An individual who may be unsure of his or her limits may be better off with non-alcoholic champagne.
An individual who may be unsure of his or her limits may be better off with non-alcoholic champagne.

There are many reasons why a person may wish to enjoy non-alcoholic champagne rather than its traditional counterpart. There may be a flavor disparity between the two, and some may genuinely prefer the flavor of non-alcoholic champagne. Although it is recommended to consume alcohol responsibly, this does not always occur. An individual who may be unsure of his or her limits may be better off with non-alcoholic champagne, especially if he or she will be operating a vehicle or machinery in the near future after consumption.

It is a common fact that no two parties are alike. You are not likely to bring the same bottle of champagne to an engagement party as you are to a divorce celebration, and a New Year's gathering may warrant an even different variety. Considering these things will help you choose the most appropriate bottle of non-alcoholic champagne for your get-together. Think about what you and your guests will enjoy. If the party is upscale, perhaps consider spending a bit more money, and don't be afraid to remain on the frugal side if you are not looking to impress.

Champagne itself acquired its classy reputation through association with French kings and other European royalty. It has maintained this high standard through a number of national and international regulations pertaining to the ingredients and regions where it is produced. Champagne is not notoriously high in alcohol content, making non-alcoholic champagne even more common. Some people prefer a similar beverage known as sparkling grape juice, which recreates the carbonation of champagne and flavor of grapes without containing alcohol.

Discussion Comments

serenesurface

@turquoise-- Apple non-alcoholic champagne is one of my favorites too. I also like black currant flavored non-alcoholic champagne. It's more difficult to find but has a very unique flavor.

If you get the small bottles, they can also be used as party favors for weddings and celebrations. We are doing this for my sister's wedding. We're going to make custom labels for mini bottles of non-alcoholic champagne as favors. And since they're non-alcoholic, everyone can have them.

turquoise

@fBoyle-- I have no idea actually. I don't think I've ever had that kind either and I don't think it's very common. It must cost a lot to extract the alcohol after making champagne. Most non-alcoholic champagne is just a fruit based sparkling drink that looks like champagne. And that's what I buy too.

My favorite is sparkling apple cider. It's very, very delicious. I had first bought it for my kids to celebrate new year with us. But I tried one and liked it so much that I buy them every now and again for the whole family.

fBoyle

I've had sparkling grape juice before but I've never had non-alcoholic champagne where the alcohol is extracted later. I didn't even know that this was possible. Can alcohol really be extracted completely from champagne or does some alcohol remain? And how do they keep the bubbles?

Buster29

It seems like many of my non-drinking friends will at least take a sip of genuine champagne during a toast or at midnight on New Year's Eve. But I don't want pregnant women or underage teens or recovering alcoholics to feel obligated to drink "real" champagne. I either buy a few different types of sparkling grape juice at the grocery store or look for a genuine non-alcoholic champagne at the adult beverage store.

I personally have never liked the taste of champagne, whether it has alcohol or not. I really wouldn't know the difference, so I usually ask someone else who likes champagne to make the final decision.

Ruggercat68

I usually put out a few bottles of non-alcoholic beverages whenever I have a party, but I don't necessarily shop for non-alcoholic champagne specifically. I consider any sparkling or carbonated grape juice to be an acceptable substitute for champagne. I do try to avoid the least expensive varieties, mostly because I find them to be cloyingly sweet and too much like soda.

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    • Sparkling grape juice.
      By: Comugnero Silvana
      Sparkling grape juice.
    • An individual who may be unsure of his or her limits may be better off with non-alcoholic champagne.
      By: frisotop
      An individual who may be unsure of his or her limits may be better off with non-alcoholic champagne.