Long gone are the days when non-drinkers (or those who just want to take it easy) were relegated to a lemon, lime and bitters. There are plenty of sophisticated non-alcoholic options which reflect the overall quality and breadth of drinks being made in Victoria.
Banks Botanicals Herbarium
I’ve tried a lot of non-alcoholic spirits, both local and international, and this is honestly my favourite. A small, family-owned business in the Yarra Valley, they use local botanicals to craft a lovely balance of flavours. Lemon myrtle and lime add a citrus topnote, with wattleseed and cassia adding a warming backbone and pepperberry a little spice, which really helps add depth. Use it as you would a gin, with tonic or in cocktails.
Matéo Yerba Maté
Want a little energy buzz with no after-effects? Look no further! This effervescent tipple harnesses the natural properties of the yerba maté leaf to make a dry, spicy and slightly funky soda that is easily complex enough to replace a highball or spritz style drink. Their original is great, or mix it up with a ginger or hibiscus version.
Non
While there are many non-alcoholic wines on the market, Non approaches it a little differently. Instead of de-alcoholising wine, they use verjus (unfermented grape juice) as the backbone and layer in fruits, vegetables, spices and herbs to create a similar structure, mouthfeel and flavour profile to your favourite alcoholic wines – think lemon marmalade and hibiscus to replace your preferred rosé, or stewed cherry and coffee instead of a full-bodied red. It’s a genuine alternative, not mimicking but rethinking; clever and delicious.
By Cara Devine