What are you drinking alcohol-free this weekend?
After all those litres of wine, champagne and beer during the festive season, an alcohol-free January – also known as ‘Dry January’ – doesn’t sound so crazy. That’s why we’ve put together a list of alcohol-free tips.
January is the month to take things down a notch. To still be able to celebrate the weekend a little, we’ve put together a list of non-alcoholic yet festive drinks. Which one will you try this weekend?
Rosemary blueberry smash
Mix some lime juice and a small drop of forest berry syrup with Spa Rood until the flavours are well balanced: refreshing and above all not too sweet. Rub a sprig of rosemary between your fingers so it stays looking good while releasing its flavours. Place it upright in the glass. Finish with blueberries and serve in beautiful, low (whisky) glasses.
Almdudler
It’s already hugely popular in Austria: now it’s the Netherlands’ turn. The flavours of ginger ale, Rivella and Spa apple in one drink—what more could you want?
Blueberry basil shrub
Mix half a glass of good apple cider vinegar with an equal amount of sugar. Add blueberries and a handful of fresh basil. Leave it in a sealable bottle or jar in the fridge for a few nights. Strain the syrup and dilute with sparkling water.
Club-Mate
This popular nightlife drink is also perfect for bringing home. It’s a kind of cross between soft drink, energy drink and iced tea. Thanks to its hefty caffeine content, it’s highly suitable as an energy boost before heading onto the dance floor after all.
DD Cordials lemonade
The boys at DD Cordials make lemonade, but with a twist. With their elderflower lemonade, you can make ‘Vlieder.’ Mix one part elderflower syrup with five parts sparkling water. Now you have elderflower soft drink. Add the same amount of pear cider and you’ll have something fantastic.
Kombucha
Soft drink made from fermented tea with a small amount of sugar. The drink is packed with probiotics and vitamins that are good for the body. Delicious, alcohol-free and good for you—everything you need this weekend, right?
Lemongrass jasmine iced tea
Hang two jasmine tea bags in a litre of boiling water. Set aside and leave to cool overnight (this method takes the longest, but tastes the best). Just before serving, add a little vanilla syrup (Monin, like you see in coffee bars). Cut the lemongrass into pieces that extend just above the glass and finish with a slice of lime.
Seedlip
This old British distillery makes the alcohol-free distilled drinks Spice 94, Garden 108m and Grove 42. All slightly different, but based on spices and herbs—and alcohol-free. Click here for inspiration for your weekend mocktails.
Crodino
It’s already the most beloved alcohol-free aperitif in Italy, and it’s becoming just as popular in the Netherlands. Crodino is a mix of mineral water, herbs and citrus fruits. Their newest drink is Crodino Rosso, just as refreshing as the original, but with blood orange.
