Sentia Non-Alcoholic Spirit - £32
Last updated: 21 April 2026
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Sentia non-alcoholic spirit is a botanical drink developed by GABA Labs, a UK company founded by Professor David Nutt. £32 for a 50cl bottle, available in three variants: Red, Gold and Black. Low calorie, designed to be mixed like a traditional spirit, and sold direct from the Sentia UK site with gift sets also available.
About Sentia
Sentia is a non-alcoholic botanical spirit made by GABA Labs, a UK company founded in 2019 by Professor David Nutt. Nutt is a neuropsychopharmacologist at Imperial College London and was formerly the UK government's chief drug adviser. The Sentia range uses plant-based botanicals that research suggests can influence GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) receptors in the brain, which are the same receptors that alcohol acts on when drunk in moderate amounts. The result is a drink designed to deliver the social ritual and subtle mood shift of an aperitif without the alcohol or hangover.
Sentia is manufactured in the UK and sold directly through the GABA Labs website. It is not stocked by major UK supermarkets.
The Sentia range
There are three core Sentia variants, each in 50cl bottles at £32. Gift sets are also available through the Sentia site for anyone wanting to give more than one variant at once.
Sentia Red - £32 (50cl)
The original variant. Sweet, heady aromatics with rich herbal complexity and a bittersweet spiced-berry finish. Red is the pick for anyone used to aromatised red wines or bittersweet vermouth-style drinks.
Sentia Black - £32 (50cl)
Spiced pepper warmth with a smooth, earthy body and a smoky bitter finish. Black suits anyone who typically reaches for a dark spirit such as whisky or rum and wants a non-alcoholic alternative that doesn't taste like fruit juice.
Sentia Gold - £32 (50cl)
A lighter, citrus-and-honey variant launched after Red and Black. Softer on the palate and often preferred as a long drink with tonic or soda rather than served neat.
A separate Sentia Cask variant is available as a 0.5% ABV whiskey-style alternative aged in cask. It has its own detail page.
Gift sets
Sentia also sells curated gift packs through its website, which bundle two or three variants together and are particularly popular for Christmas, Father's Day and Dry January. Gift set pricing varies, so check the current offers on the Sentia site.
Sentia Red + Black gift pair - around £64
A two-bottle set combining the Red and Black 50cl variants, sold as a single bundle at a lower combined price than buying separately. This is the pick for anyone buying Sentia as a gift, particularly for Father's Day, Christmas or a new-year dry spell, since it covers both the bittersweet and smoky ends of the range in one parcel.
Key features
- Non-alcoholic botanical spirit, formulated to influence GABA receptors
- Developed by GABA Labs, founded by Professor David Nutt of Imperial College London
- Three core 50cl variants at £32 each: Red, Black, Gold
- Gift sets available direct from the Sentia website
- Free from artificial additives and low in calories
- Designed to be mixed as you would a traditional spirit, or served neat over ice
- Made in the UK
How to drink Sentia
Sentia is designed to be mixed rather than drunk neat. The Red variant works well with tonic, ginger ale, or a splash of soda with a twist of orange. The Black pairs with cola, ginger beer, or a dash of bitters for something closer to an old fashioned. The Gold is at its best as a long drink over ice with tonic. GABA Labs recommends starting with a single 50ml measure and waiting around 20 minutes to feel the effect before pouring another, in the same way you might approach an aperitif.
Who it's suitable for
Sentia suits anyone cutting down on alcohol who misses the ritual of a proper drink rather than a soft drink. That includes people going through Dry January or Sober October, anyone on medication that conflicts with alcohol, people who've quit drinking entirely but still want something considered to serve at social occasions, and anyone looking for a considered gift for a friend who's pulled back on booze. Gift sets combining two or three variants make a particularly thoughtful present.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sentia actually non-alcoholic?
Yes. The core Red, Black and Gold variants are fully alcohol-free. The separate Sentia Cask variant is 0.5% ABV, which is classified as alcohol-free under UK labelling rules but contains trace alcohol. If total abstinence is important, stick to Red, Black or Gold.
Does Sentia really make you feel relaxed?
GABA Labs and independent reviewers report a noticeable calming effect from Sentia, particularly when it's sipped slowly rather than drunk quickly. The response varies between individuals, and the effect is subtle rather than intoxicating. Sentia is not a substitute for alcohol in terms of impairment and will not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
How much does Sentia cost in the UK?
The 50cl Red, Black and Gold bottles retail at £32 each directly from the GABA Labs website. Gift sets combining two or three variants are priced separately and sometimes discounted. The Sentia Cask whiskey-style variant is priced separately on its own product page.
Where can I buy Sentia in the UK?
Sentia is primarily sold through the GABA Labs website, which ships across the UK. It is also stocked by selected non-alcoholic specialist retailers. It is not currently available in major UK supermarkets.
Which Sentia should I buy?
Red is the best starting point for anyone used to aromatised red wines, vermouth or bittersweet aperitifs. Black suits dark-spirit drinkers who usually reach for whisky or rum. Gold is the lightest and works best as a long drink. If you're buying as a gift and can't predict the preference, a two-variant gift set covers more ground than a single bottle.
Is Sentia suitable for pregnant women?
Sentia's core botanical spirits (Red, Black, Gold) are alcohol-free, but GABA Labs advises pregnant or breastfeeding women to consult their doctor before trying any functional drink of this kind. This is standard guidance for drinks that claim to influence brain chemistry.
Who founded Sentia?
Sentia is made by GABA Labs, which was founded in 2019 by Professor David Nutt. Nutt is a neuropsychopharmacologist at Imperial College London, a former chief UK government drug adviser, and author of several books on drugs and addiction science.
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This page contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Sentia makes claims about relaxation effects that are based on GABA Labs research; individual responses vary. Do not use Sentia as a substitute for medical treatment, and consult a doctor if you have existing health conditions or take prescription medication.
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