... or to be on the safe side try a mocktail
ACOCKTAIL connoisseur pities the lowly mocktail drinker. How can it be possible to enjoy the subtleties of the genre’s classics without the punch of alcohol?
But nowadays, non- drinkers have plenty of viable alternatives, with a growing range of unusual spirits and aperitifs that have similar features to alcohol.
It’s all down to English designer Ben Branson, who six years ago invented a zero-alcohol spirit called Seedlip, made from distillates of garden peas, hay and other aromatics.
Seedlip’s Garden spirit is hailed as a real alternative to the finest gin. It was followed by two more, Spice and Grove, and he has now collaborated with expert drinks creative Claire Warner — known in the industry as ‘The Mouth’ — to make a range of aperitifs based on distillations of oak, hence the name: Æcorn.
His timing couldn’t be better. Last year, UK sales of non-alcoholic spirits hit £37 million, with turnover set to double by 2024.
As Seedlip and Æcorn have been joined in this market by competitors such as Lyre’s and Pentire, there’s lots of choice. Here are four mocktails that won’t give you a sore head tomorrow.
CosNo
THE flavour of Seedlip Grove 42 is based on citrus, ideal for a version of the Cosmopolitan cocktail, typically made with lemon vodka, Cointreau, lime juice and cranberry juice.
Grove is distilled from three types of Mediterranean orange, plus ginger and lemongrass, and has an ultra-dry finish.
This is pretty Cosmo, and tastes citrusy and refreshing, thanks to the addition of cranberry juice. GLASS: Coupe. GARNISH: Paring of orange zest. INGREDIENTS: 50ml Seedlip Grove 42 25ml Æcorn Aromatic 25ml cranberry juice 10ml lemon juice COMBINE the ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake well, strain and serve without ice.
Mulled Cup
A GENTLY spicy, sweetish version of the winter favourite which won’t give you the mulled wine ‘headthrob’. The dryness of Æcorn Aromatic comes from three English grapes, while smoked cherrywood, oak, clove and cassia bark add warmth. There’s also kola nut, a West African nut used in the original Coca-Cola. GLASS: Heat resistant. GARNISH: Star anise. INGREDIENTS: 300ml Æcorn Aromatic 210ml apple juice 90ml cinnamon syrup PLACE the ingredients in a pan, simmer (do not boil), then serve.
Espresso MartiNo
THE real thing comes with the unsettling sensation of being wideawake and tired at the same time. Instead, try this version using Seedlip Spice, which provides richness and a slight warm tingle, while the coffee concentrate contains the stimulant. The botanical extracts include allspice berries and cardamom, and two distillates derived from bark. GLASS: Coupe. GARNISH: Coffee beans. INGREDIENTS: 50ml Seedlip Spice 94 50ml Sandows Cold Brew Concentrate (coffee) 15ml sugar syrup MIX ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker, strain and pour.
Smoky Old Fashioned
FERAGAIA is the first distilled non-alcoholic spirit to come out of Scotland. The botanicals are foraged by locals and include seaweed, bay, blackcurrant leaf, lemon verbena and chamomile.
The result is unique — neither a faux whisky nor a faux gin. GLASS: Tumbler. GARNISH: Twist of orange peel. INGREDIENTS: 50ml Feragaia spirit 15ml cold Lapsang Souchong tea 10ml ginger syrup 5ml fresh lime zest PUT a handful of ice cubes in the glass. Pour in the ingredients, then stir well until properly chilled.