With the rise of the “sober curious” – people who are drinking less or not at all – we’re seeing an increase in alcohol-free wine, beer, pre-mixed cocktails, and now spirits. These five local contenders can be topped up with a mixer of your choice – with none of the morning-after regrets.
1. John Ross Virgin Distilled Botanicals
From the makers of Barker and Quin tonic comes this classic zero-alcohol gin infused with honeybush tannins – a first in South Africa that’s also sugar- and calorie-free.
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2. Vermont VerGin
Vermont Bloom and Limón are produced with a tried-and-tested secret alchemy using similar spices, bark, peels, petals and juniper berries of traditional gin profiles, but with
a rose-scented floral profile and refreshing lemon vibrancy in the respective variants.
3. Abstinence Cape Spice
Distilled through a careful temperature-controlled process, this gently spiced non-alcoholic spirit is named for its infusion of eight botanicals.
4. Saint G&T
The Qualito Craft Distillery took inspiration from its unspoilt Lowveld location and the crystal-clear waters of the Olifants River for this colourant-, flavourant- and sugar-free “clean” distillate, which combines herbal notes and botanical aromatics with fragrant re-distilled juniper berries.
5. Ginifer Sober
Johannesburg-based Angel Heart Distillery has added two zero-alcohol variants to its Ginifer range: Ginifer Sober Dry, which is more like a traditional dry gin with a hint of lime, and Ginifer Sober Hibiscus, enhanced with hibiscus tea.