APERITIFS

This category comprised non-alcoholic botanical beverages aimed at the gin-drinker (with packaging and prices to match) and adult soft drinks, which are more interesting but tend to contain a lot of sugar.

Silk Tree (0.5%)

£28.49 for 700ml, wisebartender.co.uk The best of the category. The botanicals, most noticeably cinnamon and orange, are strong and complex but not overpowering.

Jeffrey’s yarrow, rosehip and elderflower tonic (0%)

£7.99 for 250ml, houseofmalt.co.uk Mix this with sparkling water to make your own flavoured tonic. It comes in a range of flavours, all distinctive and delicious.

Thomas & Evans No.1 (0%)

£2.31 for 275ml, ocado.com

This functions a lot like a G&T without tasting very much of gin or, indeed, tonic. It has strong, distinctive, grown-up flavours and doesn’t taste too sweet. A good example of how to make an interesting soft drink aimed at adults.

Monte Rosso (0%) £2.55 for 275ml, Waitrose & Partners

This is a great Aperol substitute. I would’ve enjoyed a more bitter bite but, when mixed with orange and grapefruit juice and served over lots of ice, it’s hard to resist.

Shrb lime juniper (0%)

£3.20 for 330ml, noandlo.com

Shrb does a few flavours but this one will appeal to G&T fans. I drank it with ice and lemon, and loved the sweet and sour taste.