non alcoholic aperitif drinks

[ThatsnotMyNameAgain]

We are looking at alternatives to drinking alcohol - especially during the week, but still want to enjoy aperitif time, especially as a way to mark the end of WFM and the start of the evening.

So far we have done virgin Marys, straight tonic (ok but a bit boring). No alcohol mulled wine (now a bit off season).

I will be trying to make fancy ice cubes this week to jazz up the tonic (with bits of herbs and peel) and have bought one of the no-alcohol gin on Amazon for a try.

Anything I am missing out on?

I've just bought a book called "what to drink when you're not drinking" by Fiona Beckett, who is a really well known wine writer. Also got in some Seedlip, elderflower cordial, tonic, Sanbitter etc to make Nogronis! I hear there are some other non-alcoholic aperitifs called Aecorn as well as Pentire, but I haven't tried them yet.

What’s WFM?

Apple and elderflower cordial, made with sparkling water over ice and garnished with cucumber slices is delicious.

Tesco's do passionfruit flavoured lemonade which is nice and tart, as is their strawberry and basil flavoured lemonade.

I’ve been enjoying an alcohol-free martini and tonic (and a dash of sparkling water as I prefer my drinks less sweet), ice and a slice of orange. Bought mine in Sainsbury’s www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/low-alcohol-drinks/martini-vibrante-75cl

You can get a nice non alcoholic G&T too 😊

Fever tree pink tonic water is lovely, it has Angostura Bitters in, so much more interesting than ordinary tonic to drink on it's own.

Personally, I think the Seedlip drinks are over priced.

Cucumber and lime infused tonic water is refreshing. Hibiscus tea served cold (karkade) is delicious and tart. It also works well with a dash of peach syrup. I make fresh mint syrup then add sparkling water, a dash of rosewater and more fresh mint as a non-alcoholic drink for barbecues and it is always popular.

Currently pregnant and my favourite is 'Freixenet 0.0% Alcohol Free Sparkling' in most supermarkets.

@Redlocks28

What’s WFM?

fat fingers or fuzzy brain WFH - i m really struggling with it, it invades my home life and has removed the little boundaries I had

I noticed in Tesco yesterday that you can now get alcohol-free Gordon's "gin." It's about £12 so possibly worth a try over Seedlip and its ilk.

If you like beer, they also stock Leffe 0% which has a bit more about it than most alcohol-free beers.

Tesco's double strength lime squash, with sparkling water and ice, is very refreshing and not too sweet. Maybe add a slice of fresh lime, too, and perhaps a maraschino cherry :)

I remember a few years ago seeing some sort of fizzy cubes that you d throw in a glass of basic tonic or gin and would add botanical flavours... cannot find it anymore.

@orangenasturtium

I ll be trying some of the ideas above this week :) Looking forward to not waking up dehydrated which happens whenever I drink alcohol, regardless how much water or herbal tea I drink as chasers.

@orangenasturtium - homemade mint syrup?

Cranberry juice and bitter lemon

In the summer I make a jug of blackberry, apple, beetroot & ginger tea (from Sainsbury's Taste the Difference), stick it on the fridge, and when it's cold, serve with ice, orange slices and lemonade for added sweetness, or sparkling water.

I love Crodino. It's like non alcoholic aperol. Expensive though on Amazon.

I also liked the seedlip dry aperitif, which is a bit like a negroni.

ginger ale or raspberry lemonade here.

Sanbitter's lovely, Crodino too!
I also like a hot chocolate as a nice non alcoholic indulgent drink. Not an aperatif type but good to have in the no alcohol armoury

Alcohol free Gordons Gin, solves the problem perfectly.

Actually it's the aromatic seedlip aecorn that's a bit like a negroni

I enjoy the Haymans Small Gin. You only need a thimble full in a glass of tonic and ice ( 5 thimbles would be the equivalent of one unit) It has a stronger botanical taste than regular gin so it has the gin taste but without the alcohol.

It's not cheap but lasts for ages as you only need 5ml per glass.

www.haymansgin.com/journal/low-alcohol-gin/

A good ginger beer with lime slices, a sort of virgin mule.

I tend to make it up as I go along @ThatsnotMyNameAgain! I just make fresh mint "tea" (without actual tea), add sugar to taste, then reduce. I guess I use a couple of stalks of mint and a teaspoon of sugar per tea glass of water. I do the same with ginger, lemon, pomegranate and other herbs eg lemon balm or basil (goes well with strawberries). My kerkade/hibiscus recipe is the same but I don't bother to reduce it, I just use it as if it were fruit juice.

If you want a more scientific recipe than my slapdash version, google will find you plenty of better ones You can buy ready made syrups too. The Monin ones are good.

If you like floral tastes, Monin do a good violet syrup. Middle Eastern delis are great for picking up rosewater and orange blossom water for a lot less than supermarkets. The often have rose syrup for drinks too. Orange blossom water goes well with cucumber and/or citrus, both in drinks and both fruit or savoury salads.

I like lime cordial and mineral water when not drinking but not very cocktail like. I do like tequila sunrise without the tequila - just grenadine and orange juice over ice, with a squeeze of lemon or lime juice if I have it

Are these the "fizzers" you mean? Like berocca for cocktails?

www.smithandsinclair.com/collections/cocktails-at-home

I don't drink, I don't have a sweet tooth either. I find a lot of non alcoholic drinks are way too sweet. I also don't particularly like fruit which rules out most mocktails. It is getting better but the choice is still limited in bars if you're a fussy bugger like me I tend to drink citrus type flavours if I can find them. I have discovered Fever Tree ginger beer which blows your head off if you want something strong and non alcoholic!