DRY CLEANING

If you’re embracing a no-alcohol January, we’ve got your back! Try these for summer:

VAN LOVEREN ALMOST ZERO, R65

This is made from Sauvignon Blanc with the alcohol removed, which makes it more like wine than grape juice: crisper, much less sweet and much more elegant. It’s got less than 0.5% alcohol and 75% fewer kilojoules than a glass of normal wine! So no hangover, no white wine rage (yes, it’s a thing) and no muffin top – plus smugness rights for a month. Sounds good to us…

THE DUCHESS BOTANICAL, ABOUT R20 EACH

We love The Duchess original – a no-alcohol, low-sugar gin and tonic that really tastes like gin, but isn’t (it’s got to do with the redistilled juniper berries they make it with). They then brought out a floral, which to us wasn’t quite so great, and now there’s a Duchess Botanical, which is absolutely tops. Best over ice with a curl of lime zest or cucumber.

JC LE ROUX LA FLEURETTE NON-ALCOHOLIC FIZZ

is a lovely fruity alternative to bubbly – and it’s less than 0.5% alcohol too.

1. Combine 2 litres (8 cups) red grape juice, 4 strips orange rind, 2 tbsp light brown sugar, 2 cinnamon sticks, 12 cloves, 3 fresh bay leaves and 2 sprigs fresh thyme in a large saucepan.

2. Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes (do not boil). Cool, then refrigerate until cold.

3. Strain the mixture into a large jug, discarding the solids. Add 1 thinly sliced small orange, extra fresh bay leaves and fresh sprigs of thyme to the mixture.

4. Serve over ice. ✤