Top 10 no and low ABV drinks for Dry January
Whether you’re doing Dry January, or Dryish January, there is now a delicious range of drinks that either contain no alcohol or significantly less than with standard spirits. Now we’ve rounded up some of our favourites: here are our top ten low and no ABV drinks!
Rather than cutting the booze out entirely this January, we’re looking at ways to moderate and mix things up. So in this round-up, we’ve got the full range of non-alcoholic ‘spirits’ a la Seedlip which you can mix in all sorts of ways and you might not even guess that there’s no booze in them at all. We’ve also got some great zero ABV aperos – think Campari without the booze.
But there’s more than one way to skin a cat as my Austrian grandmother used to say (don’t worry, she never actually skinned a cat, maybe a rabbit or two, but never a cat). If you’re prepared to deal with a bit of alcohol, then a whole world of flavour can be yours. You can use something like Peter Rose gin concentrate which is high ABV but you only need to use a tiny bit.
Here are our favourite no and low ABV drinks to celebrate this Dryish January. Or if you’re looking for more inspiration, click here.
Fluère Bitter
This alcohol-free bitter from Fluère combines a herbaceous core of quinine with syrupy sweetness and orange zest for a tremendously bittersweet, zesty profile. Just the thing for Spritzes and alcohol-free cocktails.
How does it taste?
Fruity orange and red cherry with bitter quinine and citrus peel notes. Think Campari but without the alcohol – fiendishly clever!
Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic White Cane Spirit
Lyre’s non-alcoholic White Cane Spirit is made in the style of a white rum! It takes essences from sugar cane, oranges and various nuts, all bottled up for well rounded tipple that’s totally free of alcohol. Just beware the mischievous looking monkey on the front of the bottle. He’s most definitely up to no good.
How does it taste?
A slightly oily nuttiness alongside orange peel and vibrant, grassy sugarcane. If you like a good white rum but don’t want the alcohol, then you’re in the right place.
Mother Root Ginger
This is a non-alcoholic, all natural modern take on switchel, a classic American drink that was popular back in the 1800s. This version from Mother Root combines pressed ginger juice, blossom honey, organic apple cider vinegar, and a touch of chilli, so it’s both refreshing and spicy. Try it in a spritz with a sprig of rosemary to garnish sounds rather good.
How does it taste?
Balanced apple cider vinegar acidity, with fiery ginger and warming chilli tempered by honeyed sweetness.
Everleaf Mountain
This new bottling from Everleaf is full of aromatic and fruity notes, having been made with botanicals including cherry blossom, rosehip and strawberry. Everleaf is the brainchild of top London bar wonder and all-round good egg Paul Mathew and now consists of a whole range of non-alcoholic aperitifs.
How does it taste?
Juicy and subtly sweet with summer berries, balanced by earthy herbs and spring blossom. Pair with a good light tonic and pop in a few fresh strawberry slices.
Atopia Spiced Citrus
This was created by Hendrick’s Gin master distiller Lesley Gracie as an ultra low alcohol spirit, featuring the likes of orange, lemon, juniper, wormwood, angelica, and coriander. And with that pedigree, no wonder it’s one of the best non-alcoholic gin substitutes on the market.
How does it taste?
With masses of citrus and juniper, it tastes a lot like gin especially when mixed with tonic and served with a slice of fresh orange.
Peter Rose Gin Concentrate
This 50% ABV gin is so concentrated that you only need to use 5ml in your G&T for the equivalent flavour of a double measure, 50ml, of standard gin. So you’re using tens times less gin. Not only will your G&T be lower ABV but it’s excellent value too, there’s enough gin in here for 40 drinks, the equivalent of three 70cl bottles of standard gin.
How does it taste?
Well, whatever you do, don’t drink this neat because it is INTENSE. Mixed with tonic, you will not be able to notice the substantially lower ABV. Juniper heaven.
Seedlip Garden 108
The original gin substitute and for many, judging by sales, the best. It’s the product that launched a hundred imitators. Made using copper stills and botanicals including hay, pea, rosemary, spearmint, and thyme, it’s a drink that the trade has really got behind with most bars now offering a Seedlip serve on the menu.
How does it taste?
Peas, mainly, followed by minty herbaceous notes. Seedlip recommends drinking it with elderflower tonic and a slice of cucumber.
Caleño Dark & Spicy
The Caleño range of non-alcoholic spirits was inspired by the vibrant flavours of Colombia, perfect if you’re taking a break from booze but still want to drink something delicious. This particular expression from the collection is built around tangy, toast notes of pineapple, black cardamom, coconut, ginger, lime, kola nut, and vanilla.
How does it taste?
With its juicy pineapple and hints of toasted brown sugar, fresh ginger, and cardamom, it tastes great mixed with Coca-Cola and a wedge of lime.
Tanqueray Alcohol Free
Tanqueray Alcohol Free 0.0% features the same blend of botanicals used in Tanqueray London Dry Gin, but doesn’t feature the alcohol! Produced using a secret distillation process, it manages to capture of junipery deliciousness of the spirit, meaning you can enjoy some marvellous drinks even if you’re cutting back on alcohol.
How does it taste?
Quite a lot like gin, actually: oily juniper, liquorice, lemon zest, pine. Just add tonic water and you’ve got yourself a fairly convincing G&T.
Saicho Darjeeling
The Saicho range is packed full of cold-brewed sparkling teas, and they are perfect for pairing with food as you would do a wine. This particular edition has been made using Darjeeling tea from the foothills of the Himalayas.
How does it taste?
With its flavours of fresh peach, anise, lavender and orange peel, it’ll go wonderfully with vegetarian pasta dishes.
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