EU Court Bans 'Non-Alcoholic Gin' Label, Shakes Up Alcohol-Free Drinks Industry

On November 13, 2025, the European Union's court in Luxembourg delivered a significant ruling that has sent shockwaves through the alcohol-free drinks industry. The court has determined that the term 'non-alcoholic gin' is prohibited by EU law, a decision that favors traditional gin makers over companies producing low or no-alcohol alternatives.

The case was brought by a German association against unfair competition, Verband Sozialer Wettbewerb, against a company called PB Vi Goods that had been selling a product called 'Virgin Gin Alkoholfrei'. The court firmly stated that only spirit drinks based on ethyl alcohol flavored by juniper berries with a minimum alcoholic strength of 37.5% by volume can be legally labeled as gin.

This ruling represents a significant setback for the EU's fast-growing alcohol-free drinks industry, which has been rapidly expanding in recent years. The court's decision upholds the 2019 EU regulation that aims to protect consumers, prevent deceptive practices, ensure fair competition, and safeguard the international reputation of the bloc's spirit drinks.

While PB Vi Goods had argued that the 'non-alcoholic' label made it clear their product was not a traditional gin, the Luxembourg judges dismissed this, stating that the term 'gin' cannot be used for non-alcoholic beverages regardless of any additional qualifiers. This judgment is likely to have far-reaching implications for the entire alcohol-free drinks sector in the European Union.