The end-of-year festivities may have passed, but the overindulgence of the silly season can be hard to leave behind. Many of us may have enjoyed a few too many cheeky Baileys after dinner, beers at the barbie, or G&Ts in the afternoon sun - although Auckland's current lemon shortage is putting paid to that.
As it's also the month of fresh starts, clean slates and new beginnings, many Kiwis will be kickstarting their 'new year, new me' mantra by taking up a teetotal lifestyle for the duration of January. International public health campaign 'Dry January' urges people to abstain from alcohol for the month - a brave endeavour that should be celebrated and respected.
So if you're battling through the dry doldrums or just looking for ways to reduce your alcohol intake, non-alcoholic spirits are a perfect place to start. If you're prone to FOMO, don't fret - with alcohol-free alternatives, you can still enjoy summer soirees and backyard barbies with your friends, but without the booze.
Lauded non-alcoholic spirits brand Lyre's is a great option - with an extensive range of alcohol-free spirits, mixers and wines now available in New Zealand, you can still enjoy a bottle of bubbly, a classic malt whiskey, or a pink gin perfect for your Instagram grid.
Alternatively, you may also want to check out Seedlip, the world's first distilled non-alcoholic spirit. A bottle of Seedlip Spice 94 offers an aromatic and earthy blend of allspice, cardamom, lemon and grapefruit, while Grove 42 - a zesty, citrusy amalgamation of orange - pairs wonderfully with tonic and a twist of orange peel for a fresh and fruity tipple. Not only are Seedlip's spirits alcohol-free, they're sugar-free too - perfect for your other new year's resolutions!
Whether you're teetotalling or testing the alcohol-free waters, here are a few of our favourite non-alcoholic concoctions that don't compromise on taste - have your cocktail and drink it too!
These recipes were supplied or created by the brands and so include their own products, but there are plenty of equivalents on the market - like with any good recipe, you can swap these out for alternatives to give it your own spin.
Salted Caramel Espresso Martini
Ingredients
- 15ml Lyre's Spiced Cane Spirit
- 45ml Lyre's Coffee Originale
- 45ml premium cold drip or fresh espresso
- 15ml premium salted caramel syrup
Method
Dry shake, half-fill the shaker with ice, then shake hard briefly before fine straining the mixture into a cocktail coupette glass. Garnish with three pieces of caramel popcorn.
Dark 'n Spicy
Ingredients
- 60ml Lyre's Spiced Cane Spirit
- 15ml lime juice
- 7.5ml premium vanilla syrup
- 90ml premium bottled ginger beer
Method
Add the ingredients in a highball glass. Fill it with ice, stir and garnish with a lime wheel.
Amalfi Spritz
Ingredients
- 60ml Lyre's Italian Spritz
- 60ml alcohol-free sparkling wine (you can pick up a bottle of McGuigan's alcohol-free sparkling from the supermarket - Edenvale also offer an alcohol-free sparkling cuvée)
- 30ml soda water
Method
Add the ingredients to a large or stemless wine glass, stir, fill with fresh cubed ice and garnish with an orange wheel.
CosNOpolitan
Ingredients
- 60ml Seedlip Grove 42
- 30ml organic cranberry juice
- 15ml lime juice
- 15ml sugar syrup (combine equal parts warm water and sugar, stir to dissolve and let cool)
Method
Add the ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a coupe glass and garnish with an orange peel.
Margarita
Ingredients
- 60ml Seedlip Grove 42
- 1 tbsp agave syrup
- 15ml fresh lime juice
Method
Add the ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake and strain over ice and garnish with a lime wheel and half a rim of salt.
If you're feeling lazy or lacking inspiration, here are some ready-to-drink alcohol-free alternatives:
Finery: This brand offers a range of non-alcoholic cocktails which are also free of sugar, sweeteners and preservatives. Pick from a fun range of flavours including grapefruit, cucumber and mint; ginger, green tea, honey, mint and lemon; and vanilla and elderflower.
AF Drinks: For the G&T enthusiast, AF Drinks offer alcohol-free RTD gin and tonics in convenient four packs - opt for either the classic or the cucumber variety for a cool and refreshing drop.
Edenvale: Available at the supermarket for a low price point, Edenvale - often hailed as Australia's leading brand of alcohol-removed wines - offers a wide range of vino, sans the alcohol. From chardonnay to sparkling rosé to Sauvignon Blanc to Shiraz, there's something for everyone - just note that some of the wines still have small traces of alcohol.
Do you have a favourite non-alcoholic drink? Let us know on the New Zealand's Greatest Foodies Facebook group.
