Sober October is another opportunity to re-evaluate our drinking choices and, perhaps, to integrate more low/no options into our lives. It's also a way of raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support - see the charity's website page for more information.
The desire to reduce alcohol consumption is increasing. Kam Media's Low+No 2022 Report shows that more than half of all consumers are looking to reduce their alcohol intake this year. This is especially true of Generation Z, where the desire to reduce alcohol intake reaches 65% of that consumer group (up to 25 years old).
KAM Media's research reveals that spirits have seen the biggest increase in awareness amongst all consumers, with a rise of 122% since 2020. So with awareness of the alcohol-free category at an all-time high, there's less room for lower quality products to hide in!
One company that's been gaining recent accolades in the alcohol-free spirits sector, including an IWSC Trophy, is Myth Drinks.
Myth Drinks founders, Andy and Colette at the recent Low2NoBevShow 2022 in London
Director, Andy Safhill, explains more about the company that he and his psychotherapist wife, Colette founded. "Colette doesn't drink alcohol and has been sober for over 20 years. Having spent a long time being offered elderflower fizz and Coke (neither of wish she likes), she said to me about four years ago, 'How hard can it be to make a drink that tastes good and that isn't bad for you?!'
That proved enough impetus to start some development work with a couple of producers. Following a break during COVID-19 lockdowns, she resumed the project in 2021, working both on alcohol-free versions of rum and energy drinks. This year, two cane spirits and an active soda have been released.
There are two variants: a Coconut White Cane Spirit and a Spiced Dark Cane Spirit. The Coconut variant is a non-alcoholic take on a white rum sweetened with coconut, while the Spiced Dark is based on an old navy rum, but flavoured with sweet molasses, fiery ginger, allspice and black pepper. Both won awards at the IWSC with the Spiced Dark picking up a bronze and the Coconut winning Gold in the Alcohol-Free spirits category and the overall Zero Alcohol Trophy! Once open, they should be stored in the fridge and last for four weeks.
Andy and Collette developed the non-alcoholic spirits to deliver a smooth mouthfeel and a flavour profile that remains on the palate when mixed into a cocktail. However, unlike most other alcohol-free spirits, Myth Coconut White Cane Spirit can be drunk straight over ice. "It has a flavour profile that just makes people smile and think of holidays and sunshine", says Andy. "The Spiced Dark is more complex", he adds. "Its versatility is what sets it apart from the competition. It really can sit in place of any dark spirit in a mix, not just rum."
Drunk straight over ice, the coconut sweetness, creamy mouthfeel and light fruity edge of this light rum-inspired alcohol-free spirit come through. Add soda water, such as Fever-Tree Mexican Lime Soda or a traditional unflavoured one and garnish with a slice of coconut or pineapple for an easy-to-make, delicious mocktail. If you like a (virgin) Piña Colada or Malibu, then you'll enjoy this too!
Myth White also works well in a Mojito with the mint particularly refreshing and palate cleansing, However, for me it works best in a non-alcoholic version of a Tom Collins, replacing the gin. I used agave syrup and the refreshing tartness of the lemon juice balanced the sweetness really effectively for a superb mocktail.
This dark rum-inspired alcohol-free spirit is rich and spicy with fiery ginger, black molasses, allspice and treacle notes all in evidence. Mix with a good quality ginger beer, such as from the excellent Llanllyr Source and the aromatic spices and hit of ginger are amplified, balanced by a smoothing touch of sweet dark caramel.
Myth Dark is so versatile, that you could substitute it for any dark spirit. For example, you can drink Myth Dark with cola to create an excellent non-alcoholic Cuba Libre. Just add 50ml of the spirit with 50ml premium cola, like Fentimans Curiosity Cola and a good squeeze of lime over ice. It also works well as a substitute for bourbon in an old fashioned or brandy in a Brandy Alexander.
Collette's and Andy's other business, Goat Drinks, makes a unique, naturally caffeinated sparkling energy drink "for people who don't drink energy drinks". Horny Goat Active Soda is a light and refreshing active soda, containing green coffee extract, B-vitamins, zinc and co-enzyme Q10, flavoured with a hint of pomelo and mango. It also makes a great mixer with Myth White and costs £2.95 a can from Goat Drinks' webshop.
There are many other mocktail options for both non-alcoholic spirits - from Caipirinha (Myth White) to Espresso Martini (Myth Dark). See the company's online Cocktails page for a few ideas, but all you really need is your imagination!
Myth costs £19.95 for a 50cl bottle and is available from the company's webshop, as well as through online alcohol-free specialist Wise Bartender and via the Better Without and NonToxicated apps.
