October 12th 2024.
Not sure what to drink this Octsober? Metro's Drinks Editor Rob Buckhaven has got you covered.
Taking a break from drinking alcohol for four weeks before the holiday season may sound like a great idea. It can help you recharge and reset, so you're ready for all the boozy events that are sure to come. Who wouldn't want that?
The research is clear - even a small reduction in alcohol consumption can have significant benefits for your health. It can improve your blood pressure, mental well-being, and liver function. It may also lower your risk of cancer and heart disease, as well as improve your sleep, skin, and energy levels.
But for many of us, the thought of giving up alcohol for a whole month is as daunting as a bleak Scandinavian crime drama in the dead of winter (and trust me, that's pretty bleak). Why is it so challenging? Well, until recently, finding decent non-alcoholic alternatives was like searching for a needle in a haystack. Most of the options were either made by the devil himself or were ridiculously expensive.
Wine substitutes were often flawed, with the whites being too sweet and floral, while the reds were too bitter and tannic. And don't even get me started on the spirit alternatives - they were just bland botanical waters that were packaged and priced like your favorite boozy brands, relying on the tonic water to do all the heavy lifting.
But why were these non-alcoholic drinks so pricey? Well, it turns out that creating a drink that mimics the mouthfeel of alcohol requires high-quality, specialty ingredients that are often handcrafted in small batches. This makes the process costly. And while there will never be a perfect replacement for alcohol, the key is to find something comparable to fill that void.
In the past, the only options were sugar or citric acid. But nowadays, there are plenty of alternatives, such as chili, ginger, apple cider vinegar, GABA, and CBD, that can give a drink some bite and the drinker a tingly or relaxing sensation.
Luckily, the quality and selection of non-alcoholic drinks have never been better. This is due in part to the increasing demand for low/no alcohol options, with the sector growing by 47% in volume in 2023.
And while there are still some non-alcoholic drinks that I would avoid, here are the best ones to try in 2024.
Bristol Beer Factory's Clear Head 0.5% is a great option for those who love full-flavored beer. It has notes of grapefruit and lemon, with a hoppy and nutty finish. This is no easy feat for a zero alcohol beer, as the absence of alcohol can often make a drink taste flat and uninspiring. But thanks to the addition of lactose, which adds body and a creamy sweetness, this beer is anything but boring.
If you're craving a glass of Merlot but don't want the alcohol, Nice Session Merlot 3.4% is worth a try. It may not be completely alcohol-free, but at 3.4%, it's close enough to be considered a session lager. It has a kick of spice and flavors of plums and spiced oak, making it a tasty alternative to a traditional glass of wine.
Asda's Extra Special Rhubarb and Ginger Botanical Drink 0% recently received a gold medal and a score of 92 out of 100 at an awards ceremony. And it's no wonder why - the complex blend of botanicals, including alpine ginger, angelica, and Sicilian lemon, with the addition of Yorkshire rhubarb and African ginger, creates a warm and fruity drink with just a touch of sweetness. It's perfect for sipping on its own or with a large ice cube.
For those who love an Aperol Spritz, Pentire Coastal Spritz 0% is a fantastic non-alcoholic option. This brand is based in Cornwall and uses local botanicals to create their spirits. This particular drink is a mix between an aperitif-style drink and a sparkling Negroni, with flavors of blood orange, sea rosemary, and oakwood. It's refreshing and bubbly, making it perfect for any occasion.
And last but not least, Real Peony Blush Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Tea 0.5% is a delightful option for those who prefer a non-alcoholic drink with some fizz. Made with real peony tea, it has a delicate and floral flavor with just a hint of sweetness. It's a great option for anyone looking for a non-alcoholic drink that feels just as special as a glass of champagne.
Are you struggling with what to drink this Octsober? Well, look no further because Metro's Drinks Editor Rob Buckhaven has got you covered. It's always a good idea to take a break from alcohol for four weeks leading up to the festive season. It's a chance to recharge and reset, so you're fully prepared for the onslaught of boozy occasions. Who wouldn't be on board with that?
The research is clear – even reducing your alcohol intake by a moderate amount can have numerous benefits. It can improve your blood pressure, mental health, and liver function. It also lowers the risk of cancer and heart disease, while also enhancing your sleep, skin, and energy levels. But let's be real, for many of us, the thought of abstaining from alcohol for a whole month is just as dark as a Scandinavian crime drama in the dead of winter. Trust me, it's not an easy feat.
Why is it so hard? Well, until recently, finding decent non-alcoholic alternatives was like searching for a needle in a haystack. Most of the non-alcoholic options were downright terrible and ridiculously expensive. Wine substitutes were flawed – the whites were too sweet and floral, while the reds were too bitter and tannic. And don't even get me started on spirit alternatives – they were nothing more than bland botanical water, packaged and priced as if they were your favorite brand of booze, with the tonic water doing all the work.
But why are they so expensive? Well, creating a non-alcoholic drink that mimics the texture and mouthfeel of alcohol requires high-quality, specialized ingredients that are handcrafted in small batches, making it a costly process. And while nothing can fully replace the effects of alcohol, the key is to find something comparable to fill that void.
In the past, the only options were sugar or citric acid. But nowadays, there's a whole range of alternatives to fill the alcohol gap, from chili and ginger to apple cider vinegar, GABA, and CBD. These ingredients give the drink a bite and the drinker a tingling or relaxing sensation. Fortunately, the quality and selection of non-alcoholic drinks have never been better, thanks to the growing demand for them. In fact, in 2023, the low/no alcohol sector outperformed the alcohol market with a volume increase of 47%.
Though there are still some non-alcoholic drinks that I wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole, I've compiled a list of the best ones to try in 2024. First up, we have Bristol Beer Factory Clear Head 0.5%, available at Ocado for £2.25. Unlike most zero alcohol options, this one is full-flavored with notes of grapefruit and lemon, and a hoppy, nutty finish. They've added lactose to give it a creamy sweetness, making it a successful substitute for beer.
Next, we have Nice Session Merlot 3.4%, also available at Ocado for £7.50. This is a great option for those craving a glass of Merlot but don't want all the alcohol. It's on the lean side with a kick of spice and flavors of plums and spiced oak. While it's not completely alcohol-free, at 3.4%, it's comparable to a session lager. And let's be real, trying to convince a beer drinker to switch to wine is a tough sell when the average bottle is 37% stronger than a pint of lager. But with options like this, it's becoming easier.
Moving on to Extra Special Rhubarb and Ginger Botanical Drink 0%, available at Asda for £10. This bottle recently won a gold medal and scored an impressive 92 points out of 100 at an awards ceremony. And it's not hard to see why. This drink is a complex blend of botanicals, including alpine ginger, angelica, orris root, Indian coriander, and Sicilian lemon, with the added flavors of Yorkshire rhubarb and African ginger. It's warming, fruity, and only has a hint of sweetness. I've been enjoying it on the rocks, and it's quickly become a favorite.
For those who enjoy an Aperol Spritz, you'll love the Pentire Coastal Spritz 0% 4 x 200ml cans, available at Waitrose for £11.25. This non-alcoholic brand is based in Cornwall and uses local ingredients to create their botanical spirits, with a touch of coastal influence. The Coastal Spritz is a perfect aperitif-style drink, with flavors of blood orange, sea rosemary, and oakwood, all topped off with bubbly spring water.
Last but definitely not least, we have Real Peony Blush Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Tea 0.5%, available at Ocado for £11.50. This drink is a refreshing blend of sparkling tea and peony, with just a hint of alcohol at 0.5%. It recently won a gold medal and scored 92 points at an awards ceremony, making it a top choice for those looking for a non-alcoholic option. Personally, I enjoy sipping on this drink with a large ice cube – it's a perfect way to unwind after a long day.
So there you have it – the best non-alcoholic drinks to try in 2024. With so many great options available, there's no excuse not to join in on Octsober and give your body a break from alcohol. Trust me; your mind, body, and wallet will thank you. Cheers to a healthier and more fulfilling Octsober!
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