Sentia Spirits was founded by neuroscientist Professor David Nutt and his team at GABA Labs, the research outfit that has been working on alternatives to alcohol informed by the brain's own relaxation chemistry. Their existing products are spirit-style concentrates; the Sentia Cider, launched in early 2026, is their first ready-to-drink cider format. The apple base uses traditional bittersweet varieties — Yarlington Mill, Dabinett, and Redstreak — which are the sorts of heritage apples that would typically go into a serious West Country cider. That gives the flavour more genuine cider character than most alcohol-free alternatives on the market, which tend to taste like diluted fruit juice. The medium-dry style means there's enough sweetness to be approachable, balanced by a dry, slightly tannic edge. It's lightly sparkling, vegan, and gluten-free, with 26.64 kcal per 100ml. The GABA-enhancing botanical blend — magnolia bark, passionflower, ashwagandha, liquorice root — is formulated to promote relaxation and social ease. Sentia is careful not to make specific therapeutic claims, but the rationale is that these compounds support the same brain pathways that alcohol influences. Worth noting: the liquorice root content means it's not recommended for those with hypertension or during pregnancy. Sold direct via sentiaspirits.com in packs of six 330ml cans.