We're officially halfway through June, which can mean only one thing: partakers in this year's Dry July have exactly two weeks left to enjoy their favourite bevvies before bidding them farewell for an entire month.
For the uninitiated, the Dry July Foundation is a non-profit organisation that runs the annual Dry July campaign, a crusade that challenges people to abstain from drinking alcohol for the month to support those affected by cancer. Dry July channels the funds into improving the comfort, care and wellbeing of New Zealanders affected by the devastating disease, so giving up the grog is for a very, very good cause.
But with the dry doldrums looming, now could be the perfect time to start practising alcohol abstinence. The good news is, going dry doesn't mean missing out on Love Island and cocktails with the girls, or Friday bevvies with the boys - there are now a number of alcohol-free alternatives on the market that mimic the taste of your favourite tipple, without the alcohol content.
For starters, lauded non-alcoholic spirits brand Lyre's is a great option - with an extensive range of alcohol-free spirits 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 the grid. Alternatively, Seedlip also offers a selection of alcohol-free and sugar-free spirits, including Seedlip Spice 94 - an aromatic, earthy blend of allspice, cardamom, lemon and grapefruit - and Grove 42 - a zesty, citrusy amalgamation of orange that pairs wonderfully with tonic and a twist of orange peel.
But if you're most worried about forgoing your end-of-work whiskey neat à la Don Draper, don't fret: the brand has also recently added Highland Malt to its repertoire, a beverage crafted to capture the essence of a blended malt whiskey.
Leading with a soft, earthy bouquet, Highland Malt features expressions of light, nutty grain cereal, stone fruit, warm spices and almond with subtle additions of sea spray and lightly charred, seasoned oak to add further complexity.
The new addition marks the first non-alcoholic spirit in Lyre's range that is designed to be enjoyed both neat and in cocktails, which is pretty neat.
To get the (high)ball rolling, Lyre's has shared a selection of tasty, alcohol-free cocktail recipes using its premium whiskey alternative - so there's no excuses come July 1.
Coconut Highball
Ingredients
- 2 parts (60ml) Lyre's Highland Malt
- 4 parts (120ml) premium coconut water
- 1-2 pieces of dried mango to garnish.
Method
Build all ingredients in a highball or tall glass. Fill with cubed ice and stir.
Highball
Ingredients
- 2 parts (60ml) Lyre's Highland Malt
- 4 parts (120ml) soda water
- 2 lemon wedges to garnish.
Method
Build all ingredients in a highball or tall glass. Fill with cubed ice and stir.
Highland Sour
Ingredients
- 2 parts (60ml) Lyre's Highland Malt
- 1 part (30ml) lemon juice
- 0.5 part (15ml) white sugar syrup (made 1:1)
- 0.5 part (15ml) egg white/Aquafaba, or 4 drops foaming agent
- 2 dashes aromatic bitters
- Maraschino cherry and orange slice to garnish.
Method
Dry shake all the ingredients briefly. Add ice, shake hard and strain into an old fashioned glass over a block of ice.
On the Rocks
Ingredients
- 2 parts (60ml) Lyre's Highland Malt.
Method
Pour Lyre's Highland Malt over cubed ice in a double rocks or lowball glass.
If whiskey isn't your bag, here are a few other non-alcoholic cocktail ideas that could come in handy next month. If gin is more your poison (guilty as charged), Lyre's Pink London Spirit is a premium non-alcoholic pink gin alternative, featuring notes of rose, cherry, red berry, blackberry and juniper for a gin-focused finish.
To enjoy an alcohol-free G&T, mix with aromatic or elderflower tonic and add a slice of cucumber, orange and strawberry to recreate a refreshing spritz cup.
Alternatively, if you can't comprehend a month without a spicy marg, here are three non-alcoholic margarita recipes sure to tickle your fancy.
