How to be resourceful with last minute non-alcoholic drinks on a long weekend
/Updated May 19, 2023
Affordable and easy to find non-alcoholic drinks at Longos, Metro, Sobeys, Loblaws, Fortinos and Save-On grocery stores across Canada
The long weekend is coming up, and if you’re like so many of us who forgot to order non-alcoholic drinks in time, or looking to save a few dollars on your non-alcoholic options, here is a list of affordable non-alcoholic drinks you can find at a grocery store chain near you. If you’ve got a taste for the finer things in life, most grocery stores in Canada don’t carry premium items but there are still lots of options for non-alcoholic drinks you can be resourceful with to get you through all your indoor or outdoor activities this weekend.
Non-alcoholic gin at Longo’s
Longo’s actually has the best selection of nonalcoholic drinks within all the chain stores. If you’re looking for a handy last minute non-alcoholic gin, Longo’s carries a brand called Ceder’s at $24.99. Non-alcoholic spirits are usually $30 and up per bottle, so finding some decent n/a gin at this price point is exciting. Although there are four styles of non-alcoholic gin available from this brand, we recommend the classic style in the teal and white bottle as it’s the nicest of the four. You can use this gin for non-alcoholic gin and tonic, as the Fever Tree mixers are handily located right next to the Ceder’s. You can also make a Bees Knees, Greyhound, Lime Rickey, a Gin Toddy or any of the hundreds of cocktail recipes for gin!
It’s so great to see Harmon’s Non-Alcoholic Craft Beer on the shelf there too. Made in Canada, Harmon’s Jack Pine style is one of the best non alcoholic pale ales available so it’s a huge score to be able to pick it up from Longo’s. They also carry Peroni, which is a really nice Pilsner from Italy.
Gruvi has just launched their full line-up here as well. We recommend the Sangria in a 4-pack, or the juiciest n/a beer you’ve ever had, the Juicy Pale Ale.
If you’re fancy: It’s no surprise that Longos with their Italian roots has at least two varieties of Chinotto, which is a dark, bitter grapefruit non-alcoholic ‘soda’ from Italy that is a really great base for a non-alcoholic Italian spritz. Longos also sells St. Regis Secco which is a little too much on the sweet side for us, but good to mix it with the Chinotto for an alcohol-free spritz (or head to a Metro to get the St. Regis Brut which is better!).
Unique non-alcoholic finds at Sobey’s & IGA
Sobeys was the first to carry Canadian brand Gruvi and you can find their classic Secco at most Sobeys locations. It comes in a four pack of single serve bottles. We consider it to taste a little bit more like a sparkling cider than a sparkling wine, and it is absolutely delicious!
They also carry Le Bockale from Quebec, a brand which has been a pioneer in the non-alcoholic space. Their four pack is a perfect way to try out all their styles including a wheat beer and a pale ale which are great premium craft beers. If you’re looking for something familiar, they also have Corona Sunbrew which is an SGCF favourite, as well as their in-house Compliments Blonde Lager which is pretty tasty and you cannot beat the price (12 for $9.50)!
Sobey’s Sale on sober Carpenter
The best find at Sobey’s is their sale on Sober Carpenter. It’s usually $2.99/can which are all tallboys, but they’ve marked it down to $2.49 for the long weekend AND you can buy them in singles rather than shelling out for a 4- or 6-pack of a single style. Our favourite has always been the White Wheat Beer, but the Black IPA is a great find, as is the non-alcoholic cider.
IGA is now carrying Romeo’s Non-alcoholic Gin & Tonic in a variety of flavours. They’re really refreshing, although high in sugar. You can cut the sugar with soda water if needed or treat yourself! Our newest obsession is their watermelon spritz which is not available at IGA, but you CAN find it on Amazon for same day delivery.
Some clever finds at Metro
Metro is the only chain store to carry Clever non-alcoholic premixed cocktails which lots of people love - our closest store had gin and tonic and mojito flavours at last check!
Metro also has a pretty good selection of non-alcoholic wines, reasonably priced and decently tasting. The first is one brand we’ve mentioned frequently, the Saint Regis Brut non-alcoholic sparkling or the Saint Regis non-alcoholic Chardonnay. Both styles are mid-range in flavour but are a great price for the quality. Metro also has their own in-house brand called Invitations with a Semillon Chardonnay and a Cabernet Sauvignon. The Semillon is overly juicy to a fault, but a viable option to try if you like sweeter n/a wines. The Cab Sauv is quite nice, with a little bit of dryness - we recommend picking one up to try. Invitations is priced at $6.95, so if you don’t love the taste straight, its worth buying to make a spritz with or using for mulled wine.
They don’t have a good selection of beer, just the regular big brand options like Coors and Heineken.
Non-alcoholic drinks new to Fortinos
Fortinos now carries ALL Gruvi products, and our recommendation is the Sangria ready-to-drink option in an easy, single serve 4-pack. There’s also the Juicy Pale Ale which is one of our favourite non-alcoholic beer options!
They also have Highball Cocktails, which are really high in sugar, but taste decent. Their bottled pink gin & tonic is lovely and worth it to grab a few and mix with soda water to cut down on the sugar.
Save-On Foods & Quality Foods (West Coast)
If you’re fancy and a fan of bitter aperitifs from Italy, you’ll find two great ones from the Martini brand at Save-On or IGAs on the West Coast. One is more floral than the other but both are great amaros perfect for making a spritz by mixing it with non-alcoholic sparkling wine (or the regular stuff if you want a low alcohol cocktail). Save-On carries Loxton sparkling wine which isn’t our first pick, but if you’re trying to be resourceful this long weekend, it’s better than using sparkling water if you’re mixing a sparkling cocktail!
What to find at Loblaws?
There are lots of stores in the Loblaw’s family, including Supercentre, No Frills, and Loblaws itself. They each have their own stock which is similar, but varies depending on location. Sometimes the pickings are slim.
Athletic Brewing Company is one of the top non-alcoholic beers in the U.S. and their Run Wild and Upside Dawn are now available at Loblaws across the country for $14/6-pack which is an absolute steal. Here’s a link to their store finder.
If you’re interested in non-alcoholic premixed cocktails, Loblaws carries Ab0ve non-alcoholic cocktails in a convenient four pack. They have gin and tonic, mojito and whiskey cola flavours.
Many locations of Loblaws carry Dry Run from Rally Beer Co (made in Toronto!), which is an amazing non-alcoholic Pale Ale, but many stores are sold out after Dry January. They also have lots of basic, big brand non-alcoholic beers like Heineken 0.0 or Coors Edge. A fan favourite is the in-house label PC red non-alcoholic beer.
Regardless of which grocery chain is near you, there are options for everyone. Even if you don’t love the taste of non-alcoholic wine from your grocery store, you can mix it up with something else or add some bitters to it to make it pop. Experiment with what’s available and you’re sure to find something you like!
Cheers and here’s to a living a life with less alcohol!
