Why Premium Alcohol-Free Drinks Like immaculate® Are Worth It

At immaculate®, we sometimes hear the question: “Why is alcohol-free so expensive?” If you’ve ever wondered why alcohol-free drinks come with a premium price tag, you’re not alone. It’s a fair question - and one we’re happy to answer transparently.

The truth is, crafting a truly premium alcohol-free drink isn’t about cutting corners or removing the alcohol from a cheap imitation. It’s about creating something different from the ground up - and that takes effort, intention and investment.

Here’s why our alcohol-free drinks cost what they do (and why we believe they’re worth every penny).

1. Alcohol is Cheap - For a Reason
Having no alcohol in a drink actually adds complexity to the production process. Alcohol acts as both a flavour enhancer and a preservative: without it, we need far more high-quality, natural ingredients to create the same depth and mouthfeel, and to keep your drink shelf-stable. That means more botanicals, more care in the distillation or infusion process, and yes — added production costs. And whilst alcohol-free drinks don’t pay alcohol duty (which can make up a lot of the cost of an alcoholic drink) the extra time and costs involved in making a premium alcohol-free drink pretty much balance out the costs. In summary, it’s not what’s in it, it’s what’s not!

2. Real Ingredients Cost More
Alcohol-free doesn’t mean flavour-free. To deliver the complexity and mouthfeel you’d expect from a classic G&T, we use high-quality botanicals like juniper, citrus oils and natural extracts - no shortcuts. These ingredients cost more, especially when sourced responsibly and blended at small scale.

3. Smaller Batches = Higher Costs
immaculate® is small-batch – for the moment! Unlike large alcohol brands producing many millions of litres per year, we work in more limited volumes. That means we don’t yet benefit from economies of scale - but it also means you’re getting a crafted, considered product made with care. That care comes at a cost.

4. We’re a Start-up and That Matters
We’re still early in our journey. Every label, every can, every batch is an investment in our future. We’re proud to be an all women-founded business that prioritises purpose and transparency. We pay fairly, source sustainably and support charitable causes - and those choices are reflected in the price.

5. Value Isn’t Just in the Glass
When people go out, they’re spending for the experience. Maybe it’s four drinks and an expensive taxi home. Or maybe it’s a couple of alcohol-free drinks, a dessert, a drive home and an early gym class the next day. We’re not just selling drinks - we’re supporting people who want to feel good, be present, and enjoy their night (and their next morning). It’s a different type of value investment in yourself.

6. Trade versus Consumer Perception
Interestingly, it’s often the trade - not the drinkers - who question price. One bar owner told us their main concern with alcohol-free drinks is shelf life, not demand (immaculate® is produced in a ready-to-drink can to help overcome any shelf-life concerns).  

The good news? More and more consumers are showing every day that they’re willing to pay for a great taste and feeling good tomorrow. Health and wellbeing have value. Inclusion and choice have value. And being part of a movement toward better, more mindful drinking? That’s priceless.

So yes, an alcohol-free drink might cost almost as much as an alcoholic drink. But we think it should. Because it delivers just as much - if not more. Premium products are a luxury. But they’re also a signal: you care about what you consume, how you feel, and how your choices ripple out into the world.

Stay immaculate.