The Grapefruit and Ginger Fizz Mocktail

This refreshing beauty embraces the winter warmth of cinnamon and ginger, whilst looking forward to the sunnier times ahead with bright grapefruit and lime. The key here is the balance between sweet syrup, cosy spice, and citric tang. The grapefruit juice you use is up to you of course (pink/red juices are dryer and sweeter, whereas white is more bitter and acidic), but we would encourage freshly squeezed for a vibrant feel. Cinnamons syrup is one of our favourites, and don’t be put off thinking you need to go out and buy it – it’s so easy to make, as you can see in our Simple Homemade Cocktail Syrup Guide here. You could also experiment with a No-Lo dark or spiced rum alternative in this too - now that would be interesting. You can find a link to our best alternatives under this recipe!

Ingredients (for 1)
90ml grapefruit juice (ideally fresh)
25ml cinnamon syrup
15ml lime juice
Ginger beer to top up
Cinnamon stick (garnish)

Method
1.      Shake grapefruit juice, cinnamons syrup and lime juice with ice until it feels cold to the touch.
2.      Strain into a glass over ice (Highball is perfect). Consider double straining if you squeezed your own grapefruit and lime juice.
3.      Top up the glass with ginger beer (it should be the same amount or more than the grapefruit juice).
4.      Garnish to make it look pretty – cinnamon works, or a grapefruit wedge if you have any left.
5.      Enjoy!

We’ve got more recipes with our Delicious Winter Mocktails, or if you want to explore the blossoming world of No-Lo alternatives, check out these!

7 No-Lo Drinks You’ll Actually Want to Try

Underwhelmed by the non-alcoholic alternatives you’ve tried before? Need something to keep you going through the rest of Dry January? We’re here to help.

We’ve tried lots of No-Lo concoctions and know as well as you do that many of them are lacking. But it’s a flourishing industry and there’s more and more effort and innovation going into it, meaning some tremendous bottles are out there. We’ve listed 7 top notch No-Lo alternatives for some of the most loved boozy drinks below that we think deliver.

The Best Gin Alternative Non-Alcoholic Drink

Pentire Seaward Spirit

This coastal gem takes influence from the botanicals found growing around it in North Cornwall. Expect a refreshing selection of sea rosemary, sea buckthorn, wild seaweed, and a characterful maritime feel, as well as zesty grapefruit and floral woodruff – it’s really so unique. It has a great reputation for winning round first-time sippers, and in the world of No-Lo gin, that’s high praise.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £19.95 (usually £22.95!)

The Best Pink Gin Alternative Non-Alcoholic Drink

Warners Distillery Pink Berry Spirit

This is an exquisite effort that captures the botanical beauty of a top gin. The floral nose is indistinguishable from a pink gin, and as the medley of succulent strawberries, raspberries, and vibrant, tangy citrus blossoms, it’s heaven. The juniper comes to the fore, and there’s so much balance with herbal and warm spicy notes too. The complete package.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £17.89

The Best Rum Alternative Non-Alcoholic Drink

Lyre's Non-Alcoholic Dark Cane Spirit

We’ve featured bottles from the Lyre’s range before, because they’re such a reliable and expansive provider of No-Lo deliciousness. Inside the charming bottle is a full-flavoured spirit that delivers on its molasses promise right away. Caramel, vanilla, maple, fig, and toasted nuts are in tow. It’s indulgent, and mixed with cola, ginger ale, or other rum favourites, it will not disappoint.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £20.95 (usually £23.49)

The Best Tequila Alternative Non-Alcoholic Drink

CleanCo Clean T

CleanCo have produced this stylish bottle that you can now find in some supermarkets. It’s their take on a blanco tequila, with a vegetal agave hint coming through nicely. Herbs like mint and basil gently intertwine with lime and lemon, the latter of which is particularly tasty on the finish when joined by some warm pepper. It goes down so well with pretty much anyone that tries it, so find out for yourself!

Size: 700ml
ABV: Less than 0.5%
Find here: £16

The Best Irish Cream Alternative Non-Alcoholic Drink

Twisst Irish Caramel Cream

The aim of this one is to unashamedly replicate Bailey’s, and if you ask us, they succeed. It’s ready to go in the can, greeting you with rich cream aroma after cracking open. It’s velvety smooth, with chocolate and vanilla coating the mouth and an opulence to every sip. It’s sweet, sure, but it’s surprisingly refreshing, particularly when served chilled. Many people’s go to Irish Cream replacement!

Size: 235ml
ABV: 0.5%
Find here: £17.40 (8 x 235ml)

The Best Spritz Alternative Non-Alcoholic Drink

Salcombe New London Light Aegean Sky Spirit

This is a super refreshing aperitif carrying a lovely bit of sun from the Mediterranean. Citrus notes burst through, with inviting layers of bitter blood orange and aromatic bergamot enveloping herbaceous rosemary and savoury olives. The balance is deliciously harmonious and the result is a stand-out spirit… and one that also donates some sales to the Marine Conservation Society!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £23.99

The Best Whisky Alternative Non-Alcoholic Drink

Three Spirit The Nightcap

If you’re after something with the soothing warmth of whisky, then this is it. Botanicals like turmeric, ginger, vanilla, and lemon balm are all distinct yet mellow in an expression feels self-assured. It’s decidedly complex too, sweetened with a little maple syrup and holding onto the natural herbaceous Ness that’s there. With valerian, hops and ashwagandha, it really comes into it’s own before bed (hence the name) rather than as a day time whisky replacement.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £22.49

If it’s wine you’re after, then we’ve got an entire article dedicated to Alcohol-Free Wines here!

Elevate Your Dry January Experience with These 8 Alcohol Free Wines

More and more drinkers are doing Dry January, and the alternatives out there are better than they have ever been. Having said that, there are still plenty of No-Low drinks that will fool you into thinking they’re all just as dreary and nothing-y as that one was – particularly when it comes to wine.

Nonetheless, just as there are many underwhelming wines, there are some absolute gems at the other end of the spectrum. These wines are not in the business of compromise. And for well under £10, they’re also incredible value. In fact, they’re appealing enough to make Dry January a breeze.

The Best Non-Alcohol Rosé Wine

Not Guilty Alcohol Free Rosé Wine

This fun bottle doesn’t make the cardinal sin of being too sweet, which is something that seems to ruin some alcohol-free Rosés. There are subtle red berry flavours, tartness, and an alluring lightness that makes for relaxed easy drinking. It really is wonderful value for the runner up at the 2023 World Alcohol-Free Awards.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £4.50 (usually more!)

The Best Non-Alcohol Sparkling Rosé Wine

Oddbird Sparkling Rosé

If you’ve been into No-Lo wines for a while, then chances are you’ve heard of Oddbird. Their reputation for quality really does precede them, and they’re also making great strides towards sustainability. Their fizzing Rosé displays superb balance, blended from Chardonnay and aged Languedoc-Roussillon Pinot Noir. Gorgeous strawberries come through with lots of freshness, and the dry tang makes sure all that fruity sweetness doesn’t go overboard. If you’re missing Rosé over Dry Jan, then this is a must try.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £9.99

Kylie Minogue Sparkling Rosé Alcohol Free

This pink beauty is another hit for Kylie, delivering a harmonious balance of florality and juicy red fruits that linger longer than you’d expect. The fizz is gentle but lively and overall, it feels like really well made, light and refreshing Rosé. Great value too.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £6 (£4.50 Clubcard Price)

Thomson & Scott Skinny Noughty Organic Alcohol Free Sparkling Rosé

The entire Noughty range focuses on skipping over not only those unnatural inclusions, but also unnecessary sugars, meaning each glass has so few calories and feels clean. The grapes from southern Spain and give a seriously seductive shade of pink. The bubbles are there, the balance of acidity and sweetness is there, and the red berries share the lead role with the juicy grape flavour itself.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £9.50

The Best Non-Alcohol Sparkling Wine

McGuigan Zero Sparkling

As one of the biggest names in Australian wine, McGuigan have a robust choice in their Zero range these days. Thanks to their state-of-the-art tech, they’re able to remove all the alcohol from these bottles at lower temperatures than usual, retaining even more of the winey goodness. This fizz has an appealing dry bite, with sweetness comparable to Prosecco. Orchard fruits come through with a hit of a refreshment too. For pennies, it is tremendous.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £3£3.5050 (usually more!)

Freixenet 0.0 Alcohol Free Sparkling

Freixenet’s fizzy offering retains the character of the wine, avoiding the cloying sweetness that so many rivals fall prey to. The fruity nose is very welcoming, yet the first sip is surprisingly dry. It’s not going to blow you away with a myriad of different flavours and depth, but there is a reason so many return to this as their No-Lo sparkler – it’s reliable, quaffable and fools a lot of people into thinking it has booze in it.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 0%                    
Find here: £4.75

La Gioiosa Alcohol Free Vegan Sparkling

This lovely looking Italian No-Lo fizz knocks it out the park for around a fiver. Think fine bubbles, and signature Giera accents of pear, peach and apple, alongside lovely floral notes. Fruity, easy-drinking wine that we’d recommend serving chilled for added refreshment. Solid.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £4.99

Vintense Fine White Bubbles

Vintense take things in an elegant direction here, capturing the special feel and sophistication of the sparkling wine experience. A fruity bouquet is accompanied by subtle lemon and sun-kissed peach on the palate. This would be delicious with fish, shellfish, oysters and salads too – very food-friendly.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £8.78

Something you might not have considered as an alternative to wine is sparkling teas. They’re flourishing right now, so give something new a go!

The Best No-Lo Alternatives To Enjoy This Winter

Dry January isn’t far away, but alcohol-free drinking is increasingly becoming much more than a one-month experiment. More and more people, especially under the age of 30, are cutting down on booze, which means better alternatives every year.

It is still an emerging area however, and there are loads of underwhelming No-Lo alternatives out there charging a lot of money for something not far off water. Fear not, because we’ve been on a scouting mission and found the best alternatives for pretty much whatever drink you like. Let’s dive in!

The Best Rum Alternative

Caleño Dark & Spicy

Caleño is inspired by the vibrance of Colombia, distilling a tropical smorgasbord including pineapple, coconut, ginger, vanilla, and kola nut, which come through vividly. You get the rich deliciousness of dark spice and the brightness of the tropical fruits, with a surprising sweetness considering no sugar or sweetener is added. It’s not so much a direct swap for dark rum, but a super tasty versatile rum alternative, that can be paired with ginger ale for a spiced mix, or white rum mixes like piña colada.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £13

The Best Tequila Alternative

CleanCo Clean T

This is CleanCo’s take on blanco tequila, and beautiful it is too, inside, and out. The fresh agave aromas are instant, and the first seep reveals subtle melon and hints of olive, before the signature peppery finish. They even manage a little tingle on the tongue. Everyone that tries this seems to love the taste, so see for yourself what all the fuss is about.

Size: 500ml
ABV: <0.5%
Find here: £16

The Best Gin Alternative

Salcombe New London Light First Light Alcohol Free Spirit

Gin is probably the best candidate for no-lo alternatives because it’s all about the botanicals, and First Light might just be the best of the best. Free from alcohol but full of flavour, 15 hand-picked botanicals such as orange, sage and lemongrass join juniper, ginger and habanero for a versatile, supremely well-rounded blend. The juniper and citrus are clear and bright, the floral wafts are inviting, and there is a gorgeous warmth with the ginger and pepper, as well as grassy freshness. Such an all-rounder, and comes to life with a little tonic and orange garnish.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £24

The Best Non-Alcoholic Cocktails

Savyll Collection

Mocktails are more plentiful than spirit, wine, and beer alternatives so it can be hard to pick out the best, but we love Savyll. Not only is the packaging on point, but the flavours inside match that sophistication, bringing the special elegance a good cocktail should always have. This includes their refreshing Bellini, clean-cut Mojito, tangy Paloma, and easy-drinking Moscow Mule, which has a delicious fiery ginger kick.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £9.99 for 4

The Best Beer Alternative

Adnams Southwold Ghost Ship 0.5%

This Citrus Pale Ale, mirroring their 4.5% beer of the same name (aside from most of the booze of course) is a very impressive effort indeed. It gets rave reviews, loved for its light freshness, zest and distinct hoppiness. The grapefruit and blood orange shines too.

Size: 330ml
ABV: 0.5%
Find here: £3.70 for 4

The Best Wine Alternative

Wednesdays Domaine ‘Sanguine’ Red

Conveying the lighter bodied reds, this expression begins with de-alcoholised Tempranillio from La Mancha in Spain, which is artfully intertwined with the dark fruity depths of plum and blackcurrant. Bad no-lo wines suffer form a lack of intensity and complexity – this does not. Plus, you wake up feeling hydrated and refreshed – a win win,

Size: 750ml
ABV: 0.18%
Find here: £14

The Best Champagne Alternative

Oddbird Blanc de Blancs

Oddbird started in Sweden and have made a name for themselves across Scandinavia for their top of the range alcohol-free sparkling wines. This is made from 100% Chardonnay in Languedoc-Roussilon, picked young to capture vibrant freshness, before a year of aging in oak imparting nutty richness. The difficult part comes with keeping the signature elegance and intensity when removing the alcohol, but they manage it, and there’s a bounty of crunchy Granny Smiths as well as notes of almond croissants and a delicious minerality.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £11.99

The Best Sparkling Tea

Saicho

Tastefully designed, this is a delicate Jasmine sparkler (though they do Darjelling and Hojicha too). They’re fairly new, and have a great, distinctive tea flavour that some sparklers miss out. Jasmine blossom registers with the nose, as does the Fujian province green tea’s gentle floral aroma. There’s apple sherbet, vanilla, and lychee to be enjoyed too, and it’s honestly a very interesting and refreshing experience that won’t be like anything you’ve tried before.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £17.99

If you’re new to the bubbly world of sparkling teas, then here are some others well worth trying!

7 Perfect Tonics for a G&T

Gin is the star of the show when it comes to the iconic G&T, no one will deny that, but with just two ingredients, it’s essential that you’ve got the right tonic too… after all, it will be making up most of the liquid in your glass!

Gone are the days of one simple tonic on supermarket shelves, because these days there all kinds of wonderful botanical innovations to take your G&T in an endless number of directions, but today we’re focusing on classic Indian tonics to make a classic G&T.

With such a subtle concoction, something as simple as the wrong tonic can ruin a G&T, so take a look at our go-to options below, sorted in price order, and see which suits your G&T serve best!

And once you’re done, you of course need a showstopping gin to go with, which it just so happens we have recently been hard at work on with The Best Gins for a G&T.

Morrisons Indian Tonic Water

Most supermarkets do their own tonic, with mixed success, but the best is Morrisons. At 80p a litre, it provides surprising balance for a budget, no-frills tonic. There’s plenty of fizz, a little sweeter but very little botanical flavouring so if you’re trying a premium gin, maybe treat yourself to something a little more refined but on the daily, this is reliable.

Size: 1L
Find here: 80p for 1

Franklin & Sons Premium Indian Tonic Water

This Victorian brand are true pioneers in this space with a range that is an absolute joy to explore, each beautifully bottled, natural, and expertly made. Their premium Indian Tonic is pure natural botanicals with gentle citrus flavours, cinchona bark extract and sparkling spring water, and stands up very well to juniper-forward gins for a classic G&T profile. You can discover some of their other fantastic flavours here.

Size: 500ml
Find here: £13.50 for 8

Double Dutch Indian Tonic Water

This smooth operator includes a welcome pink grapefruit touch to its citrus profile, unfolding into classic quinine with a hint of juniper too. There’s a bit more to this than most tonics, so you’ll need to pair it with a bold, flavourful gin because it runs the risk of overpowering a delicate number. It’s delicious with a lot of character for a tonic and well worth trying.

Size: 200ml
Find here: £18.95 for 24

Classic London Tonic Water by The Artisan Drinks Company

A quintessential tonic water with impressive softness and clean character. Three natural citrus flavours enhance the subtle botanicals of your paired gin, which for this tonic should be drier, premium gins. Stylish label, stylish tonic.

Size: 200ml
Find here: £19.99 for 24

Fentimans Connoisseurs Tonic Water

If you’re into delicate, nuanced, and ultra-premium complex gins, then Fentimans could be a good way to go. The quinine and citrus have been dialled down so the gin won’t be overpowered, so if you’re fed up of tonic botanicals making it difficult to explore your gin, look no further.

Size: 200ml
Find here: £19.99 for 24

Fever Tree Premium Indian Tonic Water

One of the more popular tonics for good reason, Fever-Tree has an expansive range but at the heart of it is their flagship award-winning Indian Tonic, infused with high quality quinine from the ‘fever’ tree in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Nothing artificial, pure crisp and fresh tonic perfect for pretty much any gin – Hayman’s and Hendrick’s both work a treat though.

Size: 150ml
Find here: £5 for 8

Schweppes Signature Collection Crisp Tonic

Finely balanced quinine bitterness with light effervescence – just what you want from a classic tonic. You’ll be able to find this in supermarkets now and then, but if not then the Schweppes regular tonic isn’t a massive drop off either – both are good, but the Signature does have a refined elevation to it. It goes with lots of different gins, but London Dry like Portobello Road and Gordons works a dream.

Size: 150ml
Find here: £8.73 for 8

To find your perfect gin to go with, check out our selection here! And for more tonics with innovative flavours, go here.

The Best Sober Bars in the UK

A bar without booze used to be a bit of an oxymoron, but with more and more drinkers taking time out from alcohol or ditching it all together, there are now a number of fantastic venues catering to it across the UK.

From extensive alcohol-free options to completely sober bars, these are the establishments offering somewhere to kick back with friends and family without the booze.

Nottingham

Café Sobar

As the name suggests, this is more of a daytime haunt than a fully fledged bar so don’t expect endless choice but there is a great value mocktail menu featuring Savyll’s range which we adore. There’s plenty of other food and drink to enjoy on the menu too and saving the best till last... all profits are poured into alcohol and drug recovery charity ‘Double Impact’. Great stuff.

Website

Hastings

The Nest

The Nest is a really cool events venue and cafe that’s part of Eggtooth, a community-based not-for-profit in Hastings. Gigs, comedy, poetry, therapy sessions, workshops... the variety of events, activities and services hosted here is remarkable but the reason they make the list is their bar, which is predominantly alcohol-free!

Website

Derby

YADA

A super popular collective, YADA is an entirely alcohol-free bar and venue offering an alternative night out in Derby. They recreate the authentic communion that makes traditional pubs so popular and have a wonderfully enticing, lengthy and rotating bar menu. Over 10 mocktails like the Tequila Sunrise with Mockingbird and the Classic Mojito with Lyre steal the show, but there’s also wine like Chardonnay and Rosé, as well as Beers and Ciders. Their website even serves as an online shop so if you try something you love, you know just where to go to buy it in.

Website

Cardiff + Bristol + Penarth

Bar 44

Bar 44 is a stylish Tapas bar showing off local produce as well as Spain’s finest. Situated in three different Southwest locations, the largest of which is Cardiff’s former canal warehouse spot, they’re all beautifully and sophisticatedly designed. There are plenty of non-alcoholic options with 0% Vilarnau Cava, Estrella Galicia Beer and 8 Mocktails including the Tanqueray 0% G&T, perfect for sipping alongside a flurry of delicious Tapas plates.

Website

London

Club Soda Tasting Room, Covent Garden

Inventive and delicious sodas are a great way to go to enjoy a night of drinking without the next day hangxiety, and no one does it better than Club Soda – The Drinks Business’ Independent Retailer of the Year 2023. As well as being a top notch online and street shop, you can swing by, relax and taste the latest and greatest in No-Lo invention. Beer, Premixed Cocktails, Wine, Spirits, Soda, Mood Enhancers... they’ve got it all, from big names like Everleaf to new and exciting releases, many of which we’ve featured on our site before. A must for curious No-Low drinkers.

Website

Lucky Saint, Marylebone

Lovers of alcohol-free beer, you may recognise this name because Lucky Saint began as a booze free beer, and many people’s favourite at that. Well, now they’ve refurbished an historic watering hole with a third of the menu being made up of non-alcoholic drinks, as well as outstanding food.

Website

Permit Room, King’s Cross

One of the best options in the capital, The Permit Room, referencing Mumbai’s Prohibition days, is the underground bar of Dishoom in King’s Cross St. Pancras. Moody lighting, impeccable design, and a delightful Teetotal Tipples menu with mocktails that feel just as special as the cocktails. Try the booze-free Espresso Martini!

Website

Mikkeller, Exmouth Market + Hackney Road

The first UK bar of Danish brewer Mikkeller, this is definitely the place to be for trying alcohol free beer, and not only because it’s part owned by the one and only Rick Astley. Deliciously Danish interiors welcome you in to a rotating selection of 18 or so beers on tap, with guaranteed 0% options.

Website

The Connaught Bar, Mayfair

Super swanky barely covers it when it comes to The Connaught, a bar that has topped the global rankings more than once. Located within the Ritzy Connaught with Cubist-inspired wooden décor and giant mirrors, this is a bar famed for its cocktails. They’ve also committed the same expertise to mocktails however, such as the Essence of the Tropics and the British Cooler. If you want a special mocktail that is a guaranteed hit, then treat yourself at The Connaught.

Website

The Book Club, Shoreditch

This party bar in central Shoreditch is a little different, offering a great night without the hangover. The Lo and NO menu is seriously extensive options including tasty mocktails, Lucky Saints beer and alcohol-free cider like Kopparbergs. Dance the night away in this refurbished Victorian warehouse with weekend DJ sessions, or sip on the alcohol-free/CBD selection whilst watching live music, comedy, or poetry. So much happening here and a variety of sippers to keep you on your toes.

Website

Fancy a night in instead? We’re always trying No-Lo drinks here at The Three Drinkers, so check out our recommendations here!

Stunning No-Lo Drinks For Summer

No or Low alcohol drinks are improving every year, whether that’s replicating what we know and love about their boozy counterparts, or trailblazing their own unique path.

These refreshing summer sippers feel nothing like a compromise and everything like a treat, with many of them even containing benefit-rich properties that are not only delicious, but also leave you feeling reinvigorated in the sunshine! Say goodbye to the hangover with these expertly made beauties!

The Best No-Lo WINE

Oddbird Rosé

Oddbird’s reputation for quality alcohol-free wine precedes them, with a diverse sparkling and still range. Not only is their focus on quality, but also a commitment to sustainability and environmental production which we always applaud. Their rosé is a superbly balanced blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Languedoc-Roussillon aged for a year. The notes of strawberry feel lovely and fresh, the fizz is perfect and crucially, it isn’t overly sweet.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 0%      
Find here: £9.99 (usually more!)

Wild Life Botanicals – Blush & Nude

We can’t split these two fizzy beauties so we’re including both. The white (Nude) and the rosé (Blush) are equally dreamy, with each glass containing 15% of your recommended daily intake of vitamins and minerals! An evening drinking these and not only will you not feel sluggish (they’re under 0.5% ABV), but you will also feel refreshed! The pair are immensely refreshing, infused with all kinds of benefit-rich herbs and flavours such as lemon balm, rosemary, ashwagandha and damask rose. Surprisingly complex, incredibly refreshing, subtly sweet, and charmingly packaged – the perfect summer sipper.

Size: 750ml
ABV: <0.5%
Find here: £16

The Best No-Lo COCKTAILS

Belvoir Farm Non-Alcoholic Peach Bellini

We love Belvoir for their beautifully packaged fizzes and cordials, but have you tried their No/Lo cocktails? They’ve mastered that fresh feel with their J&T and Passionfruit Martini, but their Peach Bellini is flawless, with two great taste awards stars to back it up. Real juicy peaches meet with sweet grape juice in this delicious mix that is made to be poured over plenty of ice on a hot summer’s day.

Size: 750ml                                          
ABV: 0%
Find here: £3.25

The Best No-Lo ALE

Days Pale Ale

Wonderfully bright and refreshing not just in colour but also taste, Days Alcohol-Free Pale Ale scooped a Gold at the World Alcoholic-Free Awards. Up front with its hopps flavour, tropical overtones and clean grapefruit offset it nicely for a super satisfying pale ale.

Size: 330ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £25 12 x 330ml

The Best No-Lo APERITIF

Mother Root Marmalade Switchel

We’ve sung the praises of Mother Root’s Ginger Switchel before, but they’ve now got a new flavour – marmalade! Mother Root is all about flavoursome and reinvigorating non-alcoholic aperitif, using apple cider vinegar and fresh ingredients in their innovative blends. Bright and bitter Seville orange sits at the centre of this, with aromatic cardamom, zippy apple cider and earthy green tea all in perfect harmony. Perfectly paired with a light tonic (to let the flavours shine) and a big slice of orange or grapefruit wedge.

Size: 480ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £28

Three Spirit The Nightcap

Three Spirit produce three plant-based alcohol alternatives, with botanicals to match different occasions. Each beautifully packaged, there is Social Elixir, Livener, and today’s shout-out – The Nightcap. With lemon balm, valerian, hops, ashwagandha (Indian/African shrub) and white willow bark, pure alchemy creates flavours of vanilla, peppery wood and spice, as well syrupy treacle tart and toasted nuts. There are some similarities to whisky, but this is very much its own thing and it’s an absolute vegan delight.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £23.95 (usually more!)

The Best CBD No-Lo Drink

INTUNE Elderflower & Hops

We love drinking INTUNE for its all-natural CBD soft drink style. The touch of sweetness is just right in this floral Elderflower spritz style can with a hint of apple and rose blossom. It’s well worth checking out their full range because the standard is sky high, but this 10mg CBD Elderflower is a winning place to start leaving you feeling refreshed and relaxed.

Size: 250ml
ABV: 0%
CBD: 10mg
Find here: £25.95 12 x 250ml

If you love exploring new No/Lo drinks but haven’t ventured into trying CBD drinks yet, then check out 8 of the best here.

Franklin & Sons: an icon of mixers, sodas, and tonics

Founded in Victorian London all the way back in 1886, Franklin & Sons are true pioneers in the soft drinks space, leading the way with natural ingredients and innovative flavourings to offer the most complete range of mixers, sodas, and tonics out there.

Within their remarkably diverse range, there will always be the perfect bottle to jazz up your drinks which is why we made the most of their offering throughout The Three Drinkers in Cognac, and if you’re a listener of our Bring a Bottle podcast, you may well have heard us merrily sipping our way through even more of them on there.

Beautifully bottled too, it really is well worth exploring all of their wonderful flavours for yourself to see which jump out, but below are just some of the Franklin & Sons that we have loved trying, and recommendations for what to enjoy them with!

FRANKLIN & SONS TO EXPLORE

Original Ginger Ale

Ultimate warmth and refreshment with a completely natural feel, Franklin & Son’s Original Ginger Ale blends natural root ginger extract with their pure sparkling spring water for classy and subtle flavouring. Celebrating the classic ginger and cognac combination, you can see it used as a Highball in Episode One where the spice of the two blend perfectly.

Ingredients:
30ml Cognac (we used Courvoisier VSOP)
80ml Ginger Ale
Plenty of ice

Method:
Pour in your cognac over plenty of ice and top up with the fizzing ginger ale. Voila!

Find here: £20 24 x 200ml

Sicilian Lemon

The first Franklin & Sons bottle to appear in the series, the Sicilian Lemon is used for the gorgeously simple and sunny Courvoisier Gala Highball below. Legendary Sicilian lemons and natural botanicals like cinchona bark blend with sparkling spring water to make this burst of citrus.

Ingredients:
30ml Cognac (we used Courvoisier VSOP)
80ml Sicilian Lemonade
Plenty of ice

Method:
Highballs are simple so let’s keep it that way – pour everything over ice and give it a little stir.

Find here: £20 24 x 200ml

Mandarin & Ginger Soda

The Mandarin & Ginger featured in one of our One Drink, Three Ways segments where you can find three deliciously different serves it’s perfect for. With natural zest, warmth, vibrance and refreshment, this soda elevates all kinds of different drinks which is why it crops up again in Episode Two of the series emphasising the fruity spice of cognac.

Ingredients:
30ml Cognac
80ml Mandarin & Ginger Soda
Plenty of ice

Method:
Super simple – cognac poured over ice and topped up with the soda! An orange wheel is the perfect garnish.

Find here: £20 24 x 200ml

Rosemary & Black Olive Tonic Water

The Rosemary and Black Olive tonic is so distinct. Almost reminiscent of focaccia, this savoury mixer adds a stunning culinary dimension to cocktails. We pair it with Umami gin for an entirely unique herbaceous G&T that is just asking to be paired with some side dishes.

Ingredients:
30ml Umami gin
80ml Rosemary & Black Olive Tonic Water
Plenty of ice

Method:
Simply pour each over ice, stir well and sip away.

Find here: £20 24 x 200ml

Guava & Lime Soda

A very light and lofty soda with natural guava and Tahitian lime as well as a sprinkling of ginger, this completely livens up what can be a dull vodka and soda combination. Refreshing, fruity and tropical!

Ingredients:
30ml guava vodka
80ml Guava & Lime Soda
Plenty of ice

Method:
Pour each over ice and stir well to combine thoroughly!

Find here: £20 24 x 200ml

Natural Rose Lemonade

Episode Four of The Three Drinkers in Cognac shows our Helena using Natural Rose Lemonade to bring colour, natural sweetness and an inviting aroma to the wonderful cocktail below. The English rose petals, lemon juice and crisp sparkling water are a floral twist on the original 1886 lemonade and add so much summery elegance to almost any concoction – delicious.

Ingredients:
50ml gin (we used Audemus Pink Pepper Gin)
Splash of Champagne
Top up with Franklin & Sons Rose Lemonade

Method:
Stir gin and ice and add to your cocktail glass. Top up with a splash of Champagne and Rose Lemonade. For the garnish, cut thin strips of lemon skin and wrap them around a chopstick for an appetising spiral effect.

Find here: £20 24 x 200ml

Pink Grapefruit Soda

You can see Aidy takes this essential Pink Grapefruit soda for a spin in Episode Four of The Three Drinkers in Cognac, when partnered with Reposado Tequila, fresh lime and Grand Marnier in a Paloma/Margarita hybrid. The soda is amazing for adding fizz alongside bright and balanced citrus notes with a dash of bitterness.

Ingredients:
50ml reposado tequila
50ml Grand Marnier
25ml fresh lime juice
Pink Grapefruit Soda

Method:
Add the tequila, Grand Marnier, and fresh lime juice into a rocks glass over ice and stir. Top up with Pink grapefruit soda and stir very gently to combine.

Find here: £20 24 x 200ml

Pineapple & Almond Soda

This is another favourite of ours that you really need to try. To be honest, you could enjoy it flying solo as a soft drink, but it’s so versatile that it can be mixed with the nutty caramel notes of cognac, the profile of a tropical rum, or even earthy tequila/mezcal. Stewed caramelised pineapples shine through at first, but when mixed the marzipan almond notes flood the palate – this is what drinks innovation should look like.

Find here: £20 24 x 200m

If you want to see these delicious Franklin & Sons drinks in action, check out The Three Drinkers in Cognac! Or, if you’re curious as to their other flavours, have a flick through their range here!