Guilt-free way to take a tipple

Non-alcoholic drinks to make Sober October go with a swing, writes Susan Welsh

With Sober October in full swing, it’s the ideal to time to embrace an alcohol-free lifestyle.

Here’s some new products you may want to try, along with some alcohol-free cocktails.

Crafty alcohol-free gin

Scottish craft distillery Old Curiosity has released its first non-alcoholic bottling.

The Herb Garden Non-Alcoholic Spirit is distilled with six natural gin botanicals which combine to deliver a guilt-free tipple that perfectly captures the genuine flavour of a real gin.

Priced £19.95 (50cl, 0% ABV) it’s available from theoldcuriosity.co.uk

For the perfect serve, fill a tall glass with ice, add 50ml of the nonalcoholic spirit then top with a highquality light tonic and garnish with a slice of lemon.

Drinks that pack a punch

Launched last year, Punchy drinks have become a popular grown-up, non-alcoholic drink of choice for many.

The natural fruit punch is packed full of bold flavours including juicy peach, spicy ginger, fragrant chai and zesty blood orange.

Available from punchydrinks.com, priced £12 for a six-pack, £35 for a 24-pack.

Daiquiri-style mocktail Makes 2

• 500ml frozen berries

• 200g dried coconut

• 375ml Nexba coconut and mango sparkling water*

• 60ml lime juice

• A little shredded coconut (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a blender.

Blend until smooth and creamy (this takes a few minutes).

Transfer to daiquiri-style glasses and garnish with shredded coconut.

*Nexba is an Aussie soft drinks brand available in Sainsburys.

Pumpkin Chai Martini

Makes 1

Eteaket Pumpkin Chai loose leaf tea

• Sugar syrup

Ice

• Cocoa powder

Make a strong brew of Pumpkin Chai loose leaf tea.

Leave to brew for four minutes. Remove the tea leaves and let the liquid cool for five minutes.

Place 150ml of the tea in a cocktail shaker with ice and 20ml of sugar syrup (or to taste).

Shake until the ice has dissolved. Pour into a chilled Martini glass and sprinkle a little cocoa powder on the rim.

Pumpkin chai Martini