What to drink when you're not drinking
So you’ve made the decision to ditch the drink. But you need something delicious to put in your glass! Here’s the best way to stock your fridge to set yourself up for success
DASH Drinks
DASH Water takes delicious sparkling water and uses real, wonky fruit to flavour the drink with no sugar, fake flavours or calories. It tastes good, reduces food waste, and there are usually discounts available on their website for first orders. Dash-water.com
Botivo
Botivo is a grown up drink, inspired by aperitifs. It’s won a ton of awards for its taste, created by infusing 5 bittersweet, herbal and citrus botanicals into a fermented apple base, with wildflower honey added for balance. Serve with soda and sip over ice with a wedge of orange. It’s got a bittersweet taste, and because of the ingredients it has the added benefit of being great for your gut. If you like a good gut drink, check out recipies for how to make kombucha at home. botivodrinks.com
Gordons 0.0%
I loved a gin ‘n’ tonic, and wanted to replicated the taste. With the plethora of 0% gins on the market, it was easy. I’ve tasted them all so you don’t have to, and my favourite is Gordon’s. Just like the original, there are bold, juniper-led flavours, and it goes well with tonic, lots of ice and a sprig of rosemary. They also make alcohol free ‘gin-in-a-tin’ so you can take drinks on picnics, trains or trips. Available in pubs, bars and your supermarket (and if not, ask for it! The more we make a noise around these drinks, the more we’ll get.)
Seedlip
One of the first brands to take alternative to alcoholic drinks really seriously (imagine my delight when I was served one on a Virgin Atlantic flight!). They have three unique flavours, so choose from citrus, spice and floral (my personal fave). The best non-alcoholic option for making amazing alcohol-free cocktails, you’ll find it stocked in the best bars and pubs near you too. It’s not cheap, but a little goes a long way. Check out their website for recipe ideas, and you might enjoy sister brand Aecorn too. Their instagram account is GORGEOUS and features seasonal drinks and beautiful serving suggestions - see the image I've used at the top of this email. Use the nice glasses that can’t go in the dishwasher! Seedlip drinks
Corona Cero
I was never a beer drinker, until the sun came out. Then a craving for a Corona with a lime in the neck was inevitable (as was the following hangover and anxiety...). The AF version hits the exact same spot, without the nasty after effects. If you love your beers, have fun experimenting with Lucky Saint, Guinness, Peroni, Heineken, Birra Moretti, Erdinger and Doom Bar, all of whom do alcohol free versions. For the cider drinkers, check out Koppaberg and Thatchers, although they are quite sweet. Wise Bartender also stocks a ton of gluten free alcohol free beers and lagers - my gluten free friend Julia swears by FreeDamm. WiseBartender
Nozeco
I loved champagne. And I wondered how to do Christmas, birthdays, weddings and other celebrations without it. Actually it’s easy - you just need something sparkly in your glass. Nosecco is one of the dryer AF prosecco / cava / champagne alternatives, and it’s well priced so you can make every weekend feel special if you have a chilled bottle ready to go. It keeps its fizz, and it looks the part. It’s available in a rosé option, and it’s one of the lower sugar options I’ve tasted. Check out Fizzero, Freixenet and others to find your fave non alcoholic bubbles.
Available in most supermarkets.
Fortnum & Mason sparkling tea
This is a special one, as it’s quite spenny. It’s perfect to take to a dinner party, give to a friend on a birthday or anniversary, or have on standby in the fridge for a good news day. It’s a blend of eight of Fortnum’s teas so it’s dry, and with the sparkles it’s a great alternative to champagne. As it’s tea, it does contain caffeine, but it’s also lower in sugar than most of its kind.
Fortnum & Mason
Martini Vibrante
I wrote this list and shared it with a friend. They were FUMING that I’d forgotten this delicious aperitivo, saying ‘it is game-changingly wonderful’. It’s dealcoholised, and infused with botanicals. Serve in a balloon glass with tonic and a thick wedge of orange. Goes well with small plates and antipasti - pretend you are on holiday in Tuscany. Also goes well with Pringles if Tuscany isn’t your bag…
Martini Vibrante
What have I missed? Please share your best alternatives-to-alcohol with me so I can stock up my fridge!
Lyre’s!! They do some really good ones, although I still haven’t tried the espresso martini mixer they do