Food | Wellness

Little Saints vs. Ghia vs. Seedlip: Which Non-Alcoholic Spirit is Actually Worth $50?

I don’t have time for a hangover. Between a full-time job and a couple of kids, alcohol has basically become a non-starter during the week. But nevertheless after a long day, I still want a “grown-up” drink that feels like a reward—not just another glass of sparkling water.

The “Sober Curious” market is exploding, and I decided to put the three big heavyweights—Seedlip, Ghia, and Little Saints—to the test. If I’m going to drop $35–$50 on a bottle of “not-booze,” it needs to earn its spot in my fridge.

This test was conducted in a very “scientific” focus group, aka I had five friends over for drinks and dinner. Here is a summary of their thoughts:

The Winner: Little Saints

After putting all three to the test, Little Saints emerged as the clear standout, particularly their St. Ember. Main reasons cited by the group:

• Clean Ingredients: It’s sugar-free (sweetened with monk fruit) but manages to avoid the “thin” texture of Seedlip.
• The “Plant Magic” Factor: It doesn’t get you “buzzed,” but the adaptogens provide a subtle “zen” feeling. It’s that slight shoulder-drop you usually get from a glass of wine, but without the fuzzy brain.
• Complex Flavor: Tastes like a real drink, not juice and not something trying to replicate a liquor.

The Reviews:

Seedlip: 

Seedlip is the “OG” of the space. It’s elegant, zero-calorie, and zero-sugar. We tried the Garden 108, which smells exactly like a fresh English garden—peas, hay, and hops.

The Experience. On the nose, it’s incredible—bright, zesty, and sophisticated. Because it’s a distilled botanical water with zero sugar and zero calories, it also lacks the “burn” of alcohol. If you mix it with a high-quality tonic, it makes a very refreshing, light drink that mimics a Gin & Tonic.

 The Verdict: If you are a fan of a very light Gin & Tonic and you have a great tonic water on hand, Seedlip is a solid choice. But on its own, it can feel a bit thin. It’s a “safe” entry point, but for those looking for a more “active” experience, it might feel a little too subtle.

Little Saints:

Little Saints is the newcomer that leans heavily into “plant magic”—a blend of Lion’s Mane, Reishi, and CBD (depending on the version) designed to offer a functional lift. I tested their St. Ember spirit, which positions itself as a smoky, mezcal-adjacent alternative.

The Experience: Little Saints has a legitimate “bite.” The flavor profile is heavy on Palo Santo, ginger, and cardamom, giving it a woodsy, spicy heat that actually hits the back of your throat like a real spirit. Surprisingly complex. As for the “magic”? It’s subtle. It’s not a high. If you’re looking for something to mimic the effect of alcohol you will be disappointed. it’s just a gentle “unwinding” feeling that helped me stop mentally scrolling through my to-do list. 

The Verdict: Little Saints is designed for those who want their NA spirit to work a bit harder. It provides a sophisticated peppery finish that feels like a cocktail, coupled with a blend of adaptogens like Lion’s Mane and CBD that offer a subtle, grounded feeling after a long day.

Ghia:

Ghia is the “it-girl” of mocktails. It’s a Mediterranean-style aperitif that’s incredibly bitter, earthy, and complex. It’s designed to be a Campari alternative.

The Experience: This is not for the faint of heart. One reviewer described it as “more bitter than a bad divorce,” and they aren’t wrong. It’s sophisticated and definitely feels like a “cocktail” because the bitterness forces you to sip it slowly. It also looks great on a bar cart

The Verdict: Ghia is fantastic if you love a Negroni or a Campari soda. However, the bitterness is polarizing—some of my guests found it a bit medicinal. It’s a “mood” drink, perfect for slow sipping

The Winner: Little Saints

If you just want a light, botanical soda to carry around at a party: Go with Seedlip. If you’re a foodie who genuinely enjoys the “punishment” of a bitter Negroni: Go with Ghia. If you want a functional mood boost that actually helps you decompress—and won’t leave you with a sugar crash: Go with Little Saints.

Little Saints won because it checked the following boxes:

1. Zero Sugar/Keto-friendly. I don’t need hidden juice calories making me sluggish.
2. Functional Ingredients. It actually helps me transition from “Chaos Mode” to “Relax Mode”.
3. Complex Flavor. It has the spicy “bite” that makes it feel like a reward, not a compromise.

It’s the only one that felt like it was actually doing something to help me transition from “Work/Mom Mode” to “Relax Mode”.

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