Non-alcoholic drinks: beers and other alternatives

Want to cut down on your alcohol consumption? Good news: there are more and more alternatives to make your life easier. Beers, spirits, mocktails… Here are four refreshing non-alcoholic drinks, and ideas for enjoying them. Cheers!

1

Alcohol-free beer

Having a pint of blonde beer with friends as an aperitif, sipping a glass of red beer with a comforting dish , drinking the first sip of cold white beer after a long day… it’s also possible without alcohol!

How is non-alcoholic beer made?

As with alcohol-free wines, there are several methods: sometimes fermentation is shortened so that the sugars do not turn into alcohol; the liquid can also be heated, filtered or vacuum distilled to remove the alcohol.

Does it really taste like alcoholic beer?

The different manufacturing processes of course have an effect on the flavor and on the dosage of added ingredients – gaseous elements, sugars, etc. In all cases, the recipes are calibrated to obtain the freshness and effervescence sought in a good beer.

2

Non-alcoholic spirits

If you are a fan of rum, gin or vodka, know that you can now create a bar without alcohol.

How do we obtain alcohol-free spirits?

These drinks are prepared by distilling an infusion of aromatics with a water-based solution: alcohol simply does not enter into the manufacturing process.

Good to know

The shelf life of drinks obtained using this method is shorter than that of their alcoholic counterparts. It is generally recommended to consume them within three months of opening.

What is the best way to consume these spirits?

These drinks don’t have the fullness in the mouth that alcohol provides and don’t generate the same sensation of warmth: you probably won’t have an optimal experience drinking them alone on ice. However, their flavors pair easily with tonic waters, fruit juices or flavored syrups, making them the perfect choice for concocting delicious mocktails!

Here are some combination ideas:

• Non-alcoholic gin, blueberry or pomegranate juice, lemon juice and maple syrup;
• Non-alcoholic rum, apple must, maple syrup and lime juice;
• Non-alcoholic vodka, soda, ginger syrup and lime juice.

You don’t feel like a mixologist?

Many classic mocktails also come in ready-to-drink (and reduced-sugar) versions. A can, a glass filled with ice cubes, a few slices of fruit: that’s all you need to make a gin and tonic, a spritz, a mojito or a rum and cola to sip quietly.

3

Apple must

With its sweet and sparkling taste, it is the perfect drink to accompany dessert, add a festive touch to brunch or toast in another way.

Why “must”?

This is the name given to apple juice before it is fermented to make cider. Most of the time, this juice is carbonated to become effervescent.

How to taste apple must?

You have the choice!

• A flute filled with natural applemust allows you to celebrate great moments in complete sobriety.
• One part must combined with one part orange juiceoffers a fresh variation on the mimosa theme.
• A glass of flavored applemust is almost a mocktail in itself. Rhubarb, pear, cranberry… Select your favorite flavor, add ice cubes, fruit slices, spices or fresh herbs, and enjoy!

4

Kombucha

Morning, noon, evening: there’s no bad time to help yourself to some kombucha – especially since there are a thousand flavors to discover…

What is it exactly?

Kombucha is a fermented and more or less sparkling drink, obtained by combining bacteria and yeast with tea with added sugar – or a natural sweetener, such as stevia. Its degree of effervescence and carbohydrate content vary depending on the duration of the fermentation process.

How to consume it?

Many kombuchas are already flavored with fruit, herbs or spices: a large, chilled glass can very well be enjoyed on its own! With a tangy taste, this type of drink is also an ingredient of choice for mocktails.

You can, for example…

• Mix mint kombuchawith freshly squeezed orange juice, citrus sparkling water, mint leaves, grated ginger, maple syrup and a pinch of salt.
• Combine raspberry kombucha, grapefruit juice, rosemary and floral tonic water.
• Marry kombucha with ginger, apple must, fresh cranberries and cardamom.