If you’re in need of a sophisticated, premium alternative to a sparkling fruit juice this Dry January, we have good news: there’s no need to settle for a sugar-laden soft drink any longer. There’s now a range of non-alcoholic spirits available to previously-thirsty South Africans who aren’t ‘drinking’.
On the back of their successful introduction of Ben Branson’s iconic Seedlip in South Africa in 2019, Truman & Orange have brought us two new non-alcoholic spirits: the locally-produced Abstinence and the imported Fluére.
Founding owner of Truman & Orange, Rowan Leibbrandt, says, “Non-alcoholic spirits like Abstinence and Fluére are not meant to replace alcoholic drinks. Rather, they add diversity and more options so that when you aren’t drinking you don’t have to compromise on flavour or ingredients.
You can experiment with mixers, garnish and flavour combinations to create perfectly balanced cocktails, just as you would with an alcoholic spirit.
The taste and drinking experience are so comparable that it’s possible to switch between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks easily. Finally, the range offers a variety of price points from the super-premium to the more affordable (for those wanting to experiment with non-alcoholic spirits).
But how should one enjoy them? Do they simply replace gin? What do they really taste like? Here are two simple ideas for you to add some sophistication to your Dry January drinks:
Abstinence Negroni
Ingredients:
- 50ml Abstinence Blood Orange Apéritif (Key botanicals: African Wormwood, Cinchona Bark, All Spice and Clove support a dominant Blood Orange)
- 50ml Abstinence Cape Spice (Key botanicals: a medley of spices and Honeybush) OR
- 50ml Abstinence Cape Citrus (Key botanicals: Buchu and Western Cape citrus)
- Pinch of Salt
Method:
- Combine Blood Orange Aperitif and Abstinence Spirit over ice in a cocktail beaker or tumbler.
- Add a small pinch of salt and stir well.
- Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice cubes.
- Garnish with an orange peel.
What to expect from Abstinence
Inspired by the biodiversity of the Cape Floral Kingdom, each Abstinence spirit variant has a distinct, indigenous hero ingredient. A sophisticated, layered, complex non-alcoholic spirit, Abstinence is made using a proprietary artisanal single-batch distillation process similar to craft gin-making. The botanicals are extracted by maceration and infusion, not alcohol. Abstinence Blood Orange Aperitif is a non-alcoholic classic Italian-style bitter with a mouth-watering, bittersweet mouthfeel.
Fluére Collins
Ingredients:
60ml Fluére Original, Spiced Cane or Raspberry
30ml Lemon juice
20ml Simple syrup
Soda Water
Method:
Pour all of the ingredients over ice cubes in a smooth Collins glass until it’s 3/4 full.
Top it off with crushed ice.
Garnish with lemon wedge and either maraschino cherries (if you’ve chosen Fluére Raspberry) or a sprig of mint (if you’ve chosen Fluére Original or Spiced Cane).
What to expect from Fluére
Fluére – the Latin word for ‘flow’ – comes in three variants: Fluére Original, Spiced Cane or Raspberry. Fluére balances a blend of steam-distilled botanicals including essential oils of Juniper, Lavender, Coriander and Lemon Peel, which offer a premium taste and a unique after-bite.
Fluére’s signature is the use of only the finest ingredients and botanicals: seeds from the exotic Casablanca Coriander, Sugar Cane Molasses from Dominican Republic, the best Juniper Berries from the high peaks of the Himalayas, exquisite Lavender from Provence and Mediterranean Lemon Peel.
Picture: Supplied
