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The first few weeks of the new year can see many of us feeling... bloated, dazed and, quite frankly, feeling a little bit sorry for ourselves. Maybe you've overindulged during the festive season, had too many mince pies and been a trifle excessive with the tipples? What you need are some alternative non-alcoholic drinks and mocktail recipes especially for winter that will leave you raring to go when spring kicks in.
AF drinks with benefits
Whether you're starting the year with Dry January or keen to adopt a healthier, fitter lifestyle, cutting out the alcohol this winter comes with a raft of benefits.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is more prevalent in the winter months and, as alcohol is a depressant (yes, really), drinking to curb your emotions could be making it worse. And forget spending the winter hiding under a duvet to avoid the cold and soggy weather; a lack of exercise plus boozy drinks could see you pile on the pounds and leave you feeling sluggish.
Luckily you don't have to pledge to drink only water or fruit and veg concoctions garnished with celery (too much like hard work). There are plenty of delicious non-alcoholic drinks and recipes you can try during winter. Here are four of our favourite AF drinks.
Top non-alcoholic drinks for winter
Crossip Dandy Smoke
A dark spirit hailed 'the liquid version of a crackling campfire', Dandy Smoke is an unapologetically bold drink.
Mature and steeped with depth, Dandy Smoke has big, brash, buy the t-shirt flavours of bitter orange, sweet spice and bonfire, which trail into an aromatic and chilli heat - perfect for sipping by a winter fire!
At its core, eucalyptus, ginger and cayenne provide a warming foundation and it can benefit health such as boosting your system to fight colds and flu (the pinnacle of winter) and help promote relaxation and aid digestion.
Something we all need after Christmas! Notes of orange, cinnamon and black pepper make the spirit sweet and smokey and its golden colour exudes opulence - this is an intense, star-of-the show drink.
Why Crossip Dandy Smoke is great for winter: The ideal drink for kicking off Dry January, but still allows you to enjoy the best bits of the festive season with its fruit and clove notes. A classic to be appreciated sipped on its own or as a long cocktail.
Non-alcoholic drink recipe for winter:
Dandy Sour
Ingredients
- 35ml Crossip Dandy
- 20ml Lemon juice
- 10ml Apple juice
- 5ml Honey
- 20ml Aquafaba/egg white
Method
Shake, shake, shake all the ingredients in a shaker with no ice. Strain and serve into a fancy glass for pure sophistication. Enjoy wrapped in a blanket (you, not the Dandy Sour) and by a fire (or electric heater will do).
RumISH
A decadent spirit, similar to a dark rum, with caramel, vanilla, and nutmeg notes.
Standing its ground with a spicy yet sweet and floral taste (the triple threat). Created with a unique distillate using the shells from chilli seeds, a low and satisfying heat combined with baked apple tones makes this the perfect winter drink. It's like a dessert in a glass!
Madagascan vanilla and Indonesian nutmeg are the power couple you never knew you needed in your life. Combining vanilla's sweet, delicate taste with warming nutmeg formulates a sophisticated and fresh taste. Made by distilling, steaming and extracting the botanicals, RumISH is a work of art, and there's no ish about it.
Why RumISH is great for winter: If you're feeling a tad sluggish after the festivities and want to kickstart a healthier lifestyle this new year, RumISH is the perfect gym partner! With less than six calories per shot (six per 100ml, fact fans) but all the fruity, sweet flavours, you won't feel guilty for sipping a glass (or two).
Non-alcoholic drink recipe for winter:
RumISH & Ginger
Ingredients
- 50ml RumISH
- 100ml Ginger beer
- 1 dash Angostura bitters
- Lime wedge to garnish
Method
Stirred, not shaken. Add all the ingredients into a highball glass and stir. Voila! It really is that simple.
Lyre's Coffee Originale
A rich and sultry spirit for coffee lovers. Expertly crafted to capture – not mimic – the essence of a coffee liqueur, it's a sophisticated and unique drink. With high notes of espresso, spice and toasted nuts, Lyre's is perfect on its own or as a cocktail.
With tasting notes that would put a posh nosh menu to shame, Lyre's is expressive and hits every spot. From caramel to dark chocolate to fig and blueberries, finished with vanilla tones, this contemporary spirit has all the vinous qualities of alcohol, but without the hangover.
Why Lyre's Coffee Originale is great for winter: Aromas of toasted nuts and spice are quintessentials of the winter season, so drinking Lyre's will fit in with the aesthetic. Think warm lights, cosy atmosphere, soft music and a glass of this in hand. Perfection!
Non-alcoholic drink recipe for winter:
Lyre's Espresso Martini
Ingredients
- 45ml Lyre's Coffee Originale
- 15ml Lyre's White Cane Spirit
- 45ml espresso
- 10ml vanilla syrup
Method
Add all ingredients into a shaker and, you guessed it, shake. Shake hard and brief, then strain.
Xachoh Blend Number 5
Pronounced Za-Ko, Xachoh number 5 is a clear spirit made by distilling botanicals for their distinct flavours; star anise, ginger, camomile, long pepper, turmeric, barberry and rosemary (just a small list, then). Xachoh is the premium choice for cocktails and mocktails, with its distinctive and complex taste suiting an array of different drinks.
Release the spicy ginger notes, sweet chamomile and aromatic pepper at any sophisticated affair. A drink of Xachoh will deliver the same warm feeling alcoholic drinks do, but without the nasty after-effects. The subtle Eastern flavours mixed with woody notes are unusual for white spirits but oh, so delicious!
Why Xachoh Blend Number 5 is great for winter: The recognisable flavours of ginger and honey are perfect for any lurking winter colds, while the cardamon and aniseed gives a nod to the aromas of winter. It also makes the ideal digestif to enjoy after heavy, stodgy meals; or to be sipped gently while you bask in the elegant flavours.
Non-alcoholic drink recipe for winter:
CosNOpolitan
Ingredients
- 50ml Xachoh Blend No.5
- 50ml freshly squeezed orange juice
- 100ml cranberry juice
- 5ml simple syrup
Method
In a cocktail shaker, add all the drinks and shake well. Strain and serve with slices of lime and mint. A refreshing drink to put the spring back into your step this winter. Plus, orange and cranberry juice, that's practically your five a day!
Find these tasty tipples and a whole lot more here at Zero.Zilch.Zip. With free delivery to your door within 1-3 days*, you can enjoy an alcohol-free taste sensation without having to brave the winter weather.
* Free delivery to UK Mainland on orders above £60
