After the indulgences of the festive season, our thoughts turn to healthier options.
Why Dry?
I always think it a shame that January has been deemed the ideal month to cut back on booze – it’s by far the worst month of the year in my opinion, so the last thing one should do is cut back on one of life’s enjoyments!
But here are some suggestions for some alcohol alternatives if you’re wanting to cut back.
Gin Essence
If you just want to cut back, rather than cut out, your gin and tonic, Cotswolds Dry Gin Essence is a full strength gin designed to reduce the amount of product, and thus alcohol required in a G&T while retaining the intensity of flavour.
It’s made using ten times the botanical concentration of their award-winning Cotswolds Dry Gin, which is already ten times more botanically intense than most premium gins.
The result is a lighter and deliciously refreshing G&T, with all the taste and 90% less alcohol than the standard 50 ml serve. Between 5 mls to 10 mls of Cotswolds Dry Gin Essence is the recommended amount for one serve (one to two teaspoonfuls). Cotswolds Dry Gin Essence contains 14 calories per 5ml per serve and just 0.23 units of alcohol, making it the perfect option if looking for a low alcohol alternative.
RRP: £18.50 for 100ml (20 serves). ABV: 46%. Available from www.cotswoldsdistillery.com Master of Malt and Spirits Kiosk
Great Fizz
A special occasion still deserves a good glass of fizz.
Codorníu is a superb cava and Codorniu Zero starts with selected wines (Xarel·lo, Chardonnay), the alcohol is removed by an innovative vacuum distillation system at low temperature, respecting the wine and minimising the loss of its characteristics.
With fine bubbles, fresh citrus flavours and a fruity character, it pairs well with any occasion when you need an enjoyable alternative. Also available as a rosé, it’s less than 0.5% ABV, suitable for vegans, gluten free and just 78 calories per 250ml glass. It’s a good aperitif, or to pair with a light meal, such as fish.
From £5.50 a bottle at Ocado, Amazon or Wise Bartender
Good ‘Spirits’
If you’re more of a spirit person, I’ve got a tip for you: CleanCo.
Since its inception in 2019 it has spearheaded the no and low market and now has a full suite of alcohol free alternatives to all major full-strength spirits. As it’s January, I’d recommend a cocktail or snifter of the whiskey CleanCo, or a non alco margarita with the CleanCo Tequila.
Gin, Rum, Rhubarb Gin and Vodka are also available at all leading supermarkets as well as online at www.clean.co.
It’s also in a new bottle, still the iconic hexagonal shape, but significantly lighter in weight, helping the environment. Add to this the fact that it’s low calorie, has no sugar or artificial sweeteners, uses all natural flavourings and is made here in the UK…it’s a no brainer!
Around £16 a bottle.
A Range of Alco Free Liqueurs from Giffard
You probably recognise the Giffard name as one of the leading French liqueur brands. The company’s award-winning alcohol-free liqueur range was launched in 2023 in response to the increasing trend towards moderation. The range is really excellent and it can be used in alcoholic drinks as well as mocktails and smoothies, milkshakes and desserts.
Inspired by infusion process of liqueurs and the shrub technique, Giffard has developed a new range in which fruits and plants are macerated in wine vinegar. The result is an alcohol-free range with great aromatic richness and a reduced level of sugar to underline this aromatic intensity, which brings complexity, length in the mouth and a real added value to the cocktail.
Discover some Giffard Alcohol Free recipes and make your favourite cocktail. The liqueurs are reasonably priced from a number of online drinks specialists and Amazon – the ginger one is particularly delicious as is the elderflower.
Moderate with Moderato
Award-winning alcohol-free French wine brand Moderato is now available at Majestic, as well as online – through Majestic’s partnership with leading no and low alcohol movement, Club Soda.
Moderato has been created with the expertise of French wine making and technological strides in 0.0% ABV wines. Where wine lovers have been let down in the past from unfermented grape juices or only partially de-alcoholised wine, Moderato has a unique process of de-alcoholisation. Starting with a vinted wine, either natural wine aromas or aromas from the original wine are re-introduced after de-alcoholisation.
One of Club Soda’s best-selling brands, it’s already available through some top restaurants as well as no and low retailers. Try the red (Moderato Cuvee Revolutionaire Colombard) or white (Moderato Revolutionaire Merlot Tannat) at Majestic £13.99 per bottle or £11.99 for a mix of any six
Still Good from Nozeco
Nozeco Still Merlot & Nozeco Still Rosé have recently been launched by the alcohol-free sparkling wine brand. They join Nozeco Classic, Nozeco Sparkling Rosé, Nozeco Sparkling Peach Bellini, Nozeco Buck’s Fizz, Nozeco Spritz.
Nozeco Still Merlot has a deep garnet red colour; on the nose intense flavours of red fruits dominated by plum, and on the palate, it’s round and velvety, with notes of red berries, strawberries and plums. It pairs well with lighter meats, cheese boards, and desserts. Nozeco Still Rosé is pink in colour, with a nose full of red berries and floral notes. It’s lively and well-balanced on the palate, with notes of strawberry and berries, and an accompanying floral aroma. It can be enjoyed on its own as an aperitif accompanied by canapés such as cream cheese with prosciutto and strawberry, and camembert with cranberry sauce.
Around £4 a bottle from Ocado, Morrisons and Amazon.
And a Malbec
And Tesco has long been somewhat of a pioneer with it’s own-label alco free wines – I’ve been a fan of its own label alcohol free sparking white wine for a long time (it’s sold out at the moment online, not surprisingly as so many folk will. have been buying it for Christmas and New Year). But the supermarket also produces some pretty good still reds, such as this de-alcoholised Malbec from South Africa. Rich, velvety & complex, this alco free Malbec delivers a full bodied experience. Crafted using a process that gently removes the alcohol while preserving the natural flavours and aromas, the result is a Malbec without the alcohol. Aromas of ripe blackberries, plums, and a hint of violet. Rich dark fruits, including black cherry and blueberry, complemented by subtle notes of chocolate and spice. Smooth and velvety with a finish that captures the essence of traditional Malbec. Goes with Grilled Meats & Stews. It’s a steal at £3.25 a bottle too!
Next week I’ll be looking at some other alternative drinks for you that aren’t pretending to be an alco-free version of the real thing…
