Non-alcoholic spirits, perfect all year round

As many of you know, the month of February is dedicated to moderation in the consumption of alcohol whether through events or otherwise. Among Anglophones, it’s more in January that it happens. While I have always leaned towards moderation rather than simply stopping drinking alcohol for a month and starting again just as quickly afterwards, I offer you some alternatives that may be interesting for non-alcoholic spirits, and this, all year round.

The key : drink responsibly

It would probably be ill-advised to tell you to stop consuming alcohol, especially on this site where we tell you about Whiskys, Grey Goose, Patrón and Louis XIII. On the other hand, there is nothing wrong with alternating. If you substitute your second or third drink of the evening with a non-alcoholic one, your awakening will certainly be more pleasant. Moreover, very often, we taste our cocktails less as the evening progresses. You can even, in your Negroni, continue to use Campari, but adjust with non-alcoholic products for half an ounce, as our recipe advises below. And as Mr. Hubert Sacy, ex-director general of Éduc’alcool, says in this report, it is better to abstain from alcohol 2 to 3 days a week than just one month a year. Moreover, in England, the month when the most alcohol is sold is February, the month after their “Dry January,” which is to tell you how much this tendency to ignore alcohol for a month, for people who don’t have a drinking problem, we agree, is not effective.

Seedlip, the pioneer of non-alcoholic spirits

We have already told you about Seedlip, now owned by Diageo, it is one of the first non-alcoholic spirits on the market. Moreover, it is possible to find it in several grocery stores and an impressive number of establishments use it, even in certain cocktails with alcohol. In short, a company that is constantly evolving that we like to watch. Seedlip’s sister company, Aecorn, is developing non-alcoholic aperitifs, but they aren’t available here yet.

Visit Seedlip website

Lyre’s, A Novelty from Australia

What I like about Lyre’s product line, new to Canada, is that it thinks exactly like in my introduction: “With Lyre’s, the choice is yours: replace some of the alcohol in your drink to get a low-alcohol Lyre’s, or make your favourite classics an alcohol-free option simply by choosing from the many variations of Lyre in our extensive range.” This is something that makes a change. I love that the company embraces all choices and isn’t like others who see alcohol as a demon.

Lyre’s spirits look, taste, smell and smell the same as the original products. And with all the classic spirits represented, virtually any cocktail you know can be faithfully recreated and enjoyed without (or with) alcohol.

The Lyre’s Negroni

In 1919, Count Camillo Negroni decided that his favourite cocktail, the Americano, needed a little extra. He replaced the sparkling water with gin and the Negroni was born. This classic appetizer may look like a sweet treat, Italian orange, but like a bunch of weasels sneaking into a doorway, it’s tricky, a little bitter, and full of surprises.

Ingredients

30ml of Lyre’s Dry London Spirit
30ml of Lyre’s Apéritif Rosso
30ml of Lyre’s Italian Orange

Method

• Stir about 30 turns in a mixing glass with ice
• Serve in an old fashioned glass filled with ice cubes.
• Garnish with a slice of orange

For a semi-alcoholic option, substitute Lyre’s Dry London Spirit for your favorite gin.

The Lyre’s Old Fashioned

A true Kentucky thoroughbred, the Old Fashioned made its way east to the Waldorf Astoria in New York in the late 1800s. But it was during the post-prohibition era that this elder statesman secured its place in cocktail folklore, becoming the drink of choice for the Mad men, Movie moguls and everyone in between. American malt, sugar syrup and bitters. Smooth, simple, and most pleasing to the palate, this is the drink one orders when one has arrived.

Ingredients

• 60mL of Lyre’s American Malt
• Sugar Cube
• Water
• 2 dashes aromatic bitters (Angostura)

Method

There are two ways to do the Old Fashioned. Whether traditional or non-alcoholic, the result will be the same. I’ll let mixologist Anders Erickson show you how in the video below.

You want to make your own ice cream, I tried Anders’ version and it works wonderfully!

For a semi-alcoholic option, substitute 30 mL of Lyre’s American Malt for your favorite bourbon, like the Buffalo Trace.

Lyre’s at Modern Bartender (Vancouver): Find here

Lyre’s at Cocktail Emporium (Toronto) : Find Here

Lyre’s at Alambika (Montréal): Find Here

Non-alcoholic spirits directly from Italy by Martini

MARTINI has been bringing people together since 1863 through the quintessentially Italian Aperitivo experience. With recipes passed down through generations of master blenders, MARTINI challenge perceptions of soft drinks with a range that demonstrates incredible choice and taste without compromise. By moderating the alcohol, you will never miss moments full of flavours. I asked Samuel Trudeau, account manager at Bacardi Canada, about the products offered by the company.

Here is Floreale, an aperitif, as its name suggests, floral, and deliciously refreshing.

This non-alcoholic Aperitivo is designed in the same way as their alcoholic beverages. The same quality of wines, herbs and plants are selected by master herbalists and sourced from their growers. By combining over 150 years of traditional expertise with a modern twist, they bring the dynamism and complexity of their ingredients to life.

After slowly removing the alcohol from their wine, preserving the authentic characteristics, they infuse the flavours of their superior botanicals, including Artemisia and Roman Chamomile. The result is an Aperitivo that is unmistakably MARTINI. This results in a 0.5% alcohol-free product, for legal reasons, because the product actually contains 0.04% alcohol. For the aromatic profile, we obviously note Roman chamomile, thyme, lemon and a slight bitterness. In the mouth, it is a lot of notes of vanilla, Chinese pear, white flower as well as light herbs.

Floreale & tonic

The spark of tonic water pairs perfectly with the complex floral taste of MARTINI Non-Alcoholic Floreale. Best expressed in a glass with plenty of ice, a 50/50 mix with tonic to ensure the Roman chamomile notes are carried evenly throughout this irresistibly long cocktail.

Ingrédients

• 2,5 oz (75 ml) Martini Floreale
• 2,5 oz (75 ml) of Fever-Tree tonic
• Ice
• Orange slice for garnish

Method

• Fill a balloon glass with ice.
• Pour in the Floreale and the tonic.
• Stir gently for a few moments.
• Decorate with the orange slice.
• Enjoy

Buy in SAQ

Vibrant, a deliciously complex and lemony aperitif.

The process is the same as the Floreale mentioned above, including Artemisia, just like Floreale, and Bergamot. The result is an Aperitivo that is unmistakably MARTINI. The aromatic profile of the latter highlights bergamot, orange, rosemary and obviously a very light bitterness. On the palate there are fruity notes of bitter raspberries, fresh thyme and citrus fruits such as orange and lemon and only 0.04% of alcohol.

Vibrante & tonic

The brightness of the tonic water blends perfectly with the citrus taste of the Martini Vibrante. Best expressed in a glass with plenty of ice, a 50/50 mix with tonic to ensure the delicate citrus flavours are carried evenly throughout this delicious long cocktail.

Ingredients

• 2,5 oz (75 ml) Martini Vibrante
• 2,5 oz (75 ml) of Fever-Tree
• Ice
• Orange wheel fro garnish

Method

• Fill a balloon glass with ice.
• Pour in the Vibrante and the tonic.
• Stir gently for a few moments.
• Decorate with the orange slice.
• Enjoy

Martini Non-Alcoholic Vibrante Spritz

The complex citrus notes of Vibrante really shine up in this bright, fizzie and refreshing drink thanks to the bubbles of soda water while the slightly bitter notes of the grapefruit juice make this drink your perfect aperitivo companion.

Buy in SAQ

The bar Le Royal and his big brother Rouge Gorge in Montréal, offer delicious cocktails based on its two delicious Martini products. Do not hesitate to visit it.

To finish with the different alcohol-free products, do not hesitate to try them. As many are expensive, it is best to try them in a bar or restaurant that you frequent before buying.