We’re getting really good at making alcohol-free beer and wine. Here’s how it’s done!
By David Bean and Andrew Greenhill on
Non-alcoholic drinks have been on the market for decades, but for a long time their range was limited and, in most cases, the flavours were inferior to their alcoholic counterparts.
Now online retailers (some of which specialise in non-alcoholic drinks) are stocking up to 100 different low- or no-alcohol beers and a similar number of non-alcoholic wines – with the majority produced in Australia.
What’s behind the big boom in this side of the industry? And where might it go from here?
It all starts with fermentation
Alcoholic beverages are produced via microbes, most commonly yeasts, which convert sugars to ethanol (alcohol) in the process of fermentation.
In addition to producing ethanol, fermentation also leads to other desirable flavour...
Lyre's Margarita
By Lyre's Spirit Co on
Ingredients (serves 1)45mL Lyre's Agave Blanco Spirit OR Lyre's Agave Reserva Spirit
- 15mL Lyre's Orange Sec
- 30mL lime juice
- 7.5mL white sugar syrup (1:1)
- 1 dash of orange bitters (optional)
Method
1. Shake ingredients briefly with ice.
2. Fine strain into a half salt-rimmed coupette.
3. Garnish with a lime wedge.
For more recipes like this, head to lyres.com.au
Lyre's Negroni
By Lyre's Spirit Co on
Ingredients (serves 1)
- 30mL Lyre's Dry London Spirit
- 30mL Lyre's Aperitif Rosso
- 30mL Lyre's Italian Orange
Method
1. Stir briefly over fresh, cubed ice.
2. Serve in an old fashioned glass and garnish with an orange slice.
For more recipes like this, head to lyres.com.au
Lyre's Mojito
By Lyre's Spirit Co on
Ingredients (serves 1)
- 75mL Lyre's White Cane Spirit
- 30mL lime juice
- 15mL white sugar syrup (1:)
- 8-10 mint leaves
- 30mL premium bottled soda water
Method
1. Add all ingredients into glass and fill with fresh, cubed ice.
2. Add soda water and stir.
3. Pour into a Highball glass.
4. Garnish with a lime wedge and plump mint sprig.
For more recipes like this, head to lyres.com.au
Lyre's Espresso Martini
By Lyre's Spirit Co on
Ingredients (serves 1)
- 45mL Lyre's Coffee Originale
- 15mL Lyre's White Cane Spirit
- 45mL premium cold drip or fresh espresso
- 10mL premium vanilla syrup (not vanilla essence)
Method
1. Dry shake all ingredients to mix.
2. 1/2 fill shaker with ice, shake hard briefly.
3. Fine strain into a coupette and garnish with a coffee bean float.
For more recipes like this, head to lyres.com.au
Easy Guava Mocktails With Lemon
By The Mindful Mocktail on
Ingredients (serves 2)
- 3 tablespoons guava nectar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 6-8 mint leaves
- 1 cup of your favourite sparking kombucha
Method
- Place guava nectar and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker or mason jar.
- Clap the mint together in your hands and add to the mixture. Press gently a couple of times with a muddler.
- Add some ice and shake ingredients together until combined.
- Fill a glass with ice and pour guava mixture in.
- Top with kombucha.
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For more recipes like this, follow @themindfulmocktail on Instagram
Orange Ginger Mocktail
By The Mindful Mocktail on
Ingredients (serves 2)
- 1/3 cup orange juice
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 8 mint leaves
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup ginger ale
Method
- Clap the mint in your hands to release the scent, then place into a cocktail shaker.
- Add orange juice, lemon juice and apple cider vinegar to the shaker.
- Add a few ice cubes to the shake and shake until combined.
- Pour into an ice-filled glass and top with ginger ale.
- Garnish with orange slices and mint.
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For more recipes like this, follow @themindfulmocktail on Instagram
Strawberry Mojito Mocktail
By The Mindful Mocktail on
Ingredients (serves 1)
- 3 strawberries, sliced
- 10 mint leaves
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp sugar or sweetener of choice
- 1 cup soda water
- Extra mint and strawberries to serve
Method
- Muddle strawberries and sugar/sweetener in a glass to release the juices. Try to get the strawberry pieces small enough to fit through a straw. You can use a blender for this step if preferred.
- Add the lime juice and stir to combine.
- Clap the mint together in your hands to release the scent (you'll know it's worked when your hands smell minty!).
- Fill your glass with ice and soda water. Stir to combine.
- Garnish with extra mint and strawberry slices.
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For more recipes like this, follow @themindfulmocktail on Instagram
Watermelon, Strawberry & Lime Mocktail
By The Mindful Mocktail on
Ingredients (serves 2)
- 2 cups watermelon
- 8 strawberries
- 1/2 cup lime juice
Method
- Place all ingredients in a high speed blender and blend until combined.
- Pour into an ice filled glass and garnish.
Tip: Add some mint for extra kick!
For more recipes like this, follow @themindfulmocktail on Instagram