This is how mindful drinking becomes fun: with the new Lyre’s, you can make genuinely delicious mocktails
Dry January, you love or hate it. Just like top French chef Alain Ducasse, who, with his declaration of war on the alcohol-free month, is unmistakably one of the haters. And even at FavorFlav’s editorial office, the flag does not unanimously go up for a month without alcohol, as shown by our annual overview of trends we need to ditch in 2021.
But still, there are undeniable benefits too. And if not in January, then perhaps in another month of the year. For when you want to give your overworked liver a little rest or do something about your excessive calorie intake (both apply to yours truly, unfortunately…). For temporary teetotallers, there is now an appealing alcohol-free alternative: Lyre’s. A complete range of alcohol-free spirits, developed in Australia, which, after its success in its home country and the US, is now conquering Europe.
Amaretti
Most producers of alcohol-free spirits focus on one type of drink. Think of the Italian aperitif Crodino or alcohol-free gin Seedlip. But Lyre’s is taking a broader approach: its makers have developed an extensive range of all possible distilled drinks and liqueurs in alcohol-free form (thirteen varieties!) based on the real thing. With drink names cleverly derived from the original. ‘Amaretti’ (amaretto), ‘American Malt’ (whisky), ‘Italian orange’ (Campari), ‘Dry London Spirit’ (gin), ‘Italian Spritz’ (aperol), ‘White Cane Spirit’ (white rum) and ‘Aperitif Dry’ (dry vermouth). There is even an alcohol-free Absinth. Not for drinking neat or on the rocks, but as a base for a mocktail. As the alcohol-free equivalent of, for example, an Espressomartini, Amaretto Sour or Negroni.
Campari jus d’orange
The creators stay as close as possible to the original, and not just when it comes to the names. Lyre’s bottles look cool and would not be out of place in the drinks cabinet at home. The label features the Australian ‘Lyrebird’, a bird known as ‘the world’s greatest mimic’ (hence the brand name). But what about the taste? It turns out to be surprisingly good. We made a G&T at home, but with Lyre’s Dry London Spirit, and tasted full aromas of juniper and lemon. And an aperitif classic such as Campari with orange juice, based on Lyre’s Italian Orange, also performed surprisingly well. You taste and experience alcohol’s sharp edge, but without the alcohol itself. Even the baco—based on Lyre’s Dark Cane Spirit—comes remarkably close to the original, with a surprising hint of caramel, fudge, figs and toasted nuts.
Prize haul
Lyre’s says it uses flavour profiles based on natural herbs and spices, combined with high-tech ‘molecular’ food technology, to come as close as possible to the taste of the alcoholic versions. The bitters, bourbons and other ‘spirits’ are continuously refined by a team of product developers and drinks experts. Since launching in Australia two years ago, Lyre’s drinks have won multiple awards at prestigious festivals and competitions, even standing up brilliantly in blind tastings with drinks experts and professional tasters. Such as at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC), where the jury awarded Lyre’s Aperitif Rosso gold twice.
Recipes
For those who want to make more adventurous mocktails, Lyre’s develops its own recipes. Such as the Lyre’s Shake Shake Winter, a cocktail based on ginger and spicy ‘white rum’, and the Lyre’s Amaretti Sour, a mocktail based on Amaretti.
Lyre’s Shake Shake Winter recipe
For one cocktail: add 50 ml Lyre’s Spice Cane Spirit, 20 ml fresh ginger juice, 20 ml lemon juice, 10 ml maple syrup and a pinch of cayenne pepper to a shaker with ice. Shake and serve in a low glass garnished with a small chilli pepper.
Lyre’s Amaretti Sour recipe
Recipe for one cocktail: add 70 ml Lyre’s Amaretti, 15 ml fresh lemon juice, 5 ml sugar syrup, 10 ml egg white (vegan? replace the egg white with aquafaba, the liquid drained from chickpeas) and three small dashes of aromatic bitters to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake quickly and pour into a low glass. Garnish with a lemon slice and a maraschino cherry.
Mindful drinking (yes, some people call it that) suddenly becomes very, very fun after all.
Practical
Available from January at selected Gall&Gall stores. The full range is available through the webshop.
