No & Low at Vagabond: still proper drinks

Cutting back does not have a single story. For some people it is January. For others it is training, pregnancy, medication, mental health, or simply not fancying a buzz that day. Often it is none of those things at all. Just choice.

At Vagabond, we still love wine and always will. But we also believe great wine bars should feel welcoming and comfortable for everyone, whatever is in their glass. No and low is not a trend we are reluctantly accommodating, and it is not a compromise. It is part of how we think about hospitality, choice, and modern drinking.

The most important thing for us is taste. If something is on our list, it has earned its place in exactly the same way as any wine, beer, or cocktail. It is there because it delivers flavour, balance, and genuine enjoyment, not because it happens to be lower in alcohol.

What does alcohol-free wine actually mean?

Alcohol-free wine is not grape juice pretending to be wine. It begins life as proper wine, fermented in the usual way with yeast converting sugar into alcohol. Only once fermentation is complete is the alcohol gently removed.

Most producers use techniques such as vacuum distillation or spinning cone technology, both of which operate at low temperatures to help preserve aromatics, acidity, and texture. The quality of the starting wine is crucial. Removing alcohol from a poorly made wine will not magically improve it, which is why we are selective.

That is why we stock Allacher no alcohol red and white. These wines retain varietal character, freshness, and structure, and behave like wine at the table. They work with food, have grip, and give you a reason to order a second glass.

Naturally lower alcohol wines, made that way

Not all lower-alcohol wines are engineered. Some styles are naturally lighter, sitting comfortably at lower ABVs without any alcohol removal at all.

One of the most joyful examples is Moscato d’Asti, which you will find in most Vagabond bars. Lightly sparkling, gently sweet, intensely aromatic, and typically around 5–6 percent alcohol, it is a wine built for pleasure rather than power. It delivers freshness, lift, and balance, and works brilliantly as an aperitif or with food that calls for something playful rather than heavy.

We also love wines that arrive at lower alcohol through winemaking choices rather than restraint. Our pét-nats, including our own Bricolage Pet Nat, are bottled before fermentation has finished, trapping natural sparkle and keeping alcohol levels lower, typically around 9 percent. These wines are energetic, textural, and alive, with freshness and grip rather than weight. They feel expressive and generous, not reduced.

For us, these wines sit naturally alongside no and low options because they offer the same thing: flavour, character, and a different way of drinking, without demanding commitment to a higher alcohol style.

Beer without the compromise

Beer has quietly become one of the strongest categories in no and low, largely because fermentation flavour still plays a central role even when alcohol is reduced or removed.

Lucky Saint remains a benchmark for us. Unfiltered, properly lagered, and balanced, it drinks like beer rather than an imitation of one. Days takes a similar approach, focusing on refreshment, drinkability, and proper brewing credentials. These are beers you choose because you want them, not because you feel you should.

Tea as a serious alternative

One of the most exciting developments in the no and low space has nothing to do with grapes or hops. Sparkling tea sits in a fascinating middle ground, offering structure, aromatics, and food friendliness in a way that feels familiar to wine drinkers.

Copenhagen Sparkling Tea Blue is a standout example. Made from individually brewed teas, it is layered and precise, with floral aromatics, citrus freshness, and a gentle tannic grip that gives it real length. It looks like wine, drinks like wine, and holds its own at the table. It just happens to be tea.

For winter months, Copenhagen Vinter offers a slightly different expression. Gently spiced, warming, and still bright, it brings seasonal depth while remaining light and balanced at around 5 percent alcohol. It is a brilliant option for those who want complexity and mood without the weight of a stronger drink.

Cocktails that still feel like a moment

Choosing no or low alcohol should not mean opting out of the occasion. A spritz should still feel like a spritz.

Our no and low cocktails are built around bitterness, freshness, and balance rather than sweetness or novelty. From Pentire-based serves to our Aper-No Spritz, these drinks are designed to feel celebratory and grown up, whether you are meeting friends, on a date, or settling in for a long evening.

A place for everyone

We want Vagabond to feel like a safe, welcoming space whether you are drinking wine, not drinking wine, or switching between the two. There is no judgement here, no awkwardness, and no second-class options.

That is why we give no and low the same visibility and care as the rest of our list. Choosing a lower-alcohol drink should feel as normal as choosing a different grape, style, or glass size.

Wine remains at the heart of what we do. But great drinking experiences are bigger than alcohol alone. For us, no and low is not about restriction. It is about flavour, freedom, and making sure everyone feels at home at the table.