Sentia Non-Alcoholic Spirit

Last updated: 12 October 2026

What Sentia is

Sentia comes from GABA Labs, a Hertfordshire company led by Professor David Nutt and his co-founder David Orren. Nutt is a professor of neuropsychopharmacology at Imperial College London and a former government drugs adviser. Sentia says the drinks business began in 2020, with GABA Labs itself founded in 2016.

Alcohol makes people feel relaxed partly because it boosts GABA, the brain's main calming messenger. Sentia uses plant extracts that it says make your own GABA work more effectively, without the alcohol. It does not add GABA as an active ingredient, because swallowed GABA is not known to reach the brain.

The three Sentia non-alcoholic spirits

• GABA Red: wild berries and cloves with a floral finish. Sentia pairs it with tonic. Botanicals include ashwagandha, tulsi leaf, passionflower, rhodiola and hawthorn berry.
• GABA Black: charred wood, liquorice and a peppery finish. Sentia suggests ginger beer or cola. Botanicals include star anise, ginseng, schisandra, gotu kola, magnolia bark, sage and cinnamon.
• GABA Gold: orange and herbs with a gentle ginger finish. Sentia serves it with tonic and lime. Botanicals include ashwagandha, hops, schisandra, chamomile, ginseng and lemon balm.

You can buy Sentia GABA Gold through the same affiliate programme. GABA Red is on the Sentia shop too.

Key facts

• Price: £32 for a 50cl bottle of Red, Black or Gold
• Servings: 20 per 50cl bottle
• Sets: any two bottles for £59.60, all three for £86.40, or six of one colour for £165.12
• Daily limit: Sentia recommends no more than 100ml a day, because that is the regulators' limit for some of the herbs
• Delivery: free in the UK on orders over £50, otherwise £4.75. Orders usually ship in 1 to 2 working days and arrive 3 to 5 working days later
• Driving: Sentia asks you not to drive for 45 minutes after a drink, until the effect wears off

Who Sentia suits

Sentia suits adults who are cutting down on alcohol but still want a proper drink in the hand at a party. It also suits people doing Dry January who find soft drinks too sweet. Sentia says the drinks are made to be mixed because of their strong botanical taste, so budget for tonic or ginger beer as well.

If you are weighing it up against other brands, our GABA non-alcoholic drinks comparison puts Sentia next to Impossibrew.

The limits of Sentia

The effect is Sentia's own claim. GABA Labs has not published independent trials on the page, and Sentia says effects vary from person to person.

Sentia does not recommend the drinks during pregnancy or breastfeeding, because some ingredients are not advised then. If you take medication or have a medical condition, Sentia says to check with your GP or pharmacist first.

At £32 for 20 servings, each drink costs £1.60 before the mixer, and the free delivery only starts at £50. The taste is herbal and slightly bitter, and the bottles contain natural sediment, so shake before pouring.

Where to buy Sentia in the UK

Sentia sells direct from its own shop, which ships to the UK from a warehouse in Europe. The shop banner also warns that orders may take up to 72 hours to ship while stock moves to a new warehouse. Professor Nutt's research background is on his Imperial College London profile.

For something closer to a whisky, Sentia also makes a 70cl cask-style bottle, covered on our Sentia Cask page.

Sentia GABA Black on the Sentia shop

FAQs

How much is Sentia non-alcoholic spirit in the UK?

Each 50cl bottle of Red, Black or Gold costs £32 on the Sentia shop, checked on 12 October 2026. Two bottles cost £59.60 and three cost £86.40.

Does Sentia contain alcohol?

No. Red, Black and Gold are alcohol-free botanical drinks. The separate Sentia Cask is 0.5% ABV.

Can you get drunk on Sentia?

No. Sentia says the drinks are designed to give the relaxed feeling of one or two drinks, not to make you drunk. It still asks you to wait 45 minutes before driving.

Which Sentia should I try first?

Sentia describes Red as the one for winding down, Black for a bolder, spicier drink and Gold as the lightest, served like a gin and tonic.

Can I drink Sentia while pregnant?

Sentia does not recommend it during pregnancy or breastfeeding, because some ingredients are not advised then.

More from CoolCuration

• Impossibrew: the alcohol-free beer we compare with Sentia.
• Self-care gift guide: presents for people who want an easier evening.
• Oddbox: the wonky fruit and veg box that cuts food waste.
• Gifts for homebodies: cosy ideas for people who prefer a night in.
• Gifts for coffee lovers: our picks for the person who lives on flat whites.

Prices and stock change. The affiliate links on this page earn a commission at no extra cost to you, and brands do not choose what we feature. Sentia is a drink, not a medicine, so speak to a doctor if you have a health condition or take prescription medication.

We are proud supporters of a safer more private internet via encouraging people to use Brave browser and are actively taking on Spammers as part of ProjectHoneypot. This site is hosted on servers that run on 100% renewable energy in the UK thanks to GreenWebHosting.

This site contains affiliate links, including to Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase or sign up for a service via these links, at no extra cost to you. All offers and promotions are accurate at the time of publication but are subject to change or withdrawal by the businesses featured. We cannot guarantee their continued availability. Read our full affiliate disclosure.

Reviews and opinions on CoolCuration reflect the personal experience of our writers at the time of publication. They are not professional endorsements and your experience may differ. Scores use our Cool Factor rating system and are given independently of any commercial relationship.

All content on CoolCuration is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice, investment recommendations or an endorsement of any product or service. We are not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority and do not offer personalised financial guidance. You should always do your own research or consult a qualified financial advisor before making any financial decisions.