Sips and Tips to Help the Bees!

At this point we all know about the importance of bees and we all know that the bee population is decreasing at a scary rate, but what can we do to help? Of course we can plant more wildflowers as a source of food and shelter for bees, or make sure to buy veggies that have not been grown with harmful pesticides. Alternatively, you can always get yourself one of the following drinks and know that your Friday night glass of something is in fact helping the bees!

Beeble Honey Whiskey

Beeble whiskey started with just one bee-hive. The beekeepers didn’t want to waste the last bits of honey still stuck to the frames taken from the hives, so they had the brilliant idea to soak the frames in whiskey, creating a dreamy honey infused spirit! This drink has delightful sweet and floral notes, and is perfect over ice. This is a great company to support, working hard to minimise waste as well as supporting the Bees for Development charity.

Size: 500mL
ABV: 30%
Find here: £32

Gosnells Wildflower Mead

A local London company, Gosnell’s has made a delightful mead (a honey based drink) using the nectar of 45 different indigenous plant species. The result is a light, refreshing low alcohol drink perfect to take along to your summer picnics, or to use as an alternative to tonic water in your next G&T! If you are looking for another excuse to buy a couple of these tins, Gosnell’s is also running a “Pints for Pollinators” campaign where for every pint of Wildflower Mead sold, they will donate 5p to the Bumblebee Conservation Trust!

Size: 440mL
ABV: 4%
Find here: £10 for 4

Spier Wines

Of course there are multiple vineyards actively helping to protect the bees, but for now let’s highlight Spier. This farm from Stellenbosch not only has amazing value-for-money wines, it also is using natural farming wherever possible! By lowering the use of harmful pesticides and herbicides, the bee population is able to flourish (and of course help out with pollination - an essential step in grape growing). We suggest you try the 2020 Pinotage. This wine has lovely smooth tannins, as well as red and black fruit flavours such as dark cherries and juicy ripe plums.

Size: 750mL
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: £10.95

Afon Mêl

Another great mead option, this time hand-crafted in Wales! All honey is sourced from the Afon Mêl farm, where the bees' habitat is the number one priority. Try the award-winning Heather Mead. This is a beautiful golden drink with notes of caramel and of course - heather.

Size: 750mL
ABV: 13%
Find here: £28

Beesou Honey Aperitif

Perhaps this slightly different bee-interpretation might tickle your fancy? This natural bitter aperitif made with British honey as well as cinchona bark, pink grapefruit and bitter orange. This is the perfect addition to your bar cart for the summer. Think of all the bee-autiful cocktail variations (our personal favourite is of course the beegroni).

Size: 13%
ABV: 750mL
Find here: £29.99

Warner’s Honeybee Gin

Warner’s distillery is another classic British distillery doing their part in helping our yellow and black friends. The distillery has even hired their own personal beekeeper for the farm to make sure that the bees are happy and healthy. The Honeybee gin has won multiple awards, and you sure can taste it! This gorgeous gin has notes of elderflower, rose and chamomile with a lovely sweet note from the honey. 

Size: 750mL
ABV: 40%
Find here: £38

17 Tasty No/Low Alcohol Drinks you Need to Try!

Words by Calum Ecroyd

With the arrival of Sober October and Dry January on the horizon, you may well be searching for your new go-to non-alcoholic drink. In the past, cutting back on the alcohol content of your drinks or even removing it altogether has often led to being thoroughly underwhelmed, let’s face it. Fear not, however, for the times they are a-changin’. 

The alcohol-free industry has grown considerably over the last decade, so brewers and scientists across the world have been innovating to create authentic ‘NoLo’ drinks, and below are some of our favourite options… 

WINE (No Alcohol)

McGuigan Zero

Australian winemaker McGuigan has a pretty broad selection in their ‘Zero’ range these days, including Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc, and Rosé. Their secret weapon is the spinning cone technology which allows the alcohol to be removed at lower temperatures than usual, meaning you lose all the booze but none of the taste. Win win!

Size: 750ml bottles
ABV: 0% ABV
Find here: £31.19 for a case of 5 or find it at most supermarkets for £5 a bottle.

Wild Life Botanicals

These two 0.5% wines are not just super bubbly and refreshing but they’re also infused with a mix of vitamins and botanicals, including Lemon Balm, Damask Rose and Rosemary. In fact, each 125ml glass contains 15% of your recommended daily intake of vitamins and minerals so not only will you be avoiding any hangover, but you’ll also be feeling reinvigorated. Charmingly packaged, both the nude (white) and the blush (rosé) would make perfect gifts.

Size: 750ml 
ABV: <0.5% ABV
Find here: £15

Oddbird Low Intervention Organic White Wine No.1

Oddbird have built a reputation for their alcohol-free wines but this time they decided to make a low-intervention version that’s low in CO₂ emissions, completely organic and of course, alcohol-free. This natural white wine is produced from the local grape varieties in Northern Italy; Garganega and Vespaiola, and to taste has beautiful flavours of aromatic pear and citrus. Great for both the environment and your tastebuds!

Size: 750ml 
ABV: 0% ABV
Find here: £10.00

COCKTAILS (No Alcohol)

Mocktails

Mocktails was born from a conversation with friends looking for fun, alcohol free drinks without the artificial ingredients, preservatives or sugary corn syrup. These are drinks inspired by small batch mixology that are low in calories chemicals and hassle! The Mocktails mixologists worked with master perfumers and spent years sourcing the botanicals, to create this well-balanced, delicious drinks. Flavours include the punny flavours of Sansgria, Mockscow Mule, Mockapolitan and even an Espress0% Martini!

Size: 250ml
ABV: 0% ABV
Find here: 12 x 250ml cans or bottles £29.99

The Cocktail Society

The Cocktail Society is home to cocktail subscription boxes, cocktail gifts, bottled cocktails and cocktail kits. Their Apple &Cinnamon Martini iteration is a premium DIY, alcohol-free cocktail kit. Made in collaboration with Warners Distillery, each box comes with ingredients to make four cocktails, a cocktail shaker, a snack and a recipe card. Check their site for alcoholic version of everything too. They make excellent gifts!

Size: various
ABV: 0% ABV
Find here: 1 kit for 4 cocktails plus shaker £39.99

Savyll Cocktails

Finding your favourite non-alcoholic cocktail is tough when there are so many options, but Savyll cocktails may well be the answer. Distinguished inside and out with gorgeous packaging and sophisticated flavours, these drinks carry all the prestige a cocktail should and all whilst being gluten and alcohol-free, and vegan. With Bellini, Mojito, Moscow Mule and Paloma on offer, there is something for everyone. They’re constantly switching up their products too so keep an eye out for new editions!

Size: 250ml
ABV: 0% ABV
Find here: 4x250ml cans £11.99 / 12x250ml cans £27.99

SPIRITS (No Alcohol)

CROSSIP Dandy Smoke

An honourable mention to CROSSIP’s other spirits (Fresh Citrus, Pure Hibiscus and Blazing Pineapple), but today we’re shining the spotlight on The Independent’s Best Overall Non-Alcoholic Spirit of 2021; Dandy Smoke. Smooth, smoky, and layered with warming spice, it’s just at home as a mocktail base as it is with Cola. Sure, it’s pricier than some other options, but its strong flavour means a little goes a long way, and the reviews speak for themselves!

Size: 500ml 
ABV: 0% ABV
Find here: £22

Lyre’s Italian Orange

Lyre’s have smashed it with this Italian ‘spritz’ that is the perfect non-alcoholic version of Aperol, only slightly more interesting. Can we say that?! Oops, we just did! Make sure you check out the rest of their range of non-alcoholic versions of classics such as Vermouths, Triple Sec, Coffee liqueurs, Gins, Amaretto and more too! 

Size: 700ml 
ABV: <0.5% ABV
Find here: £19.95

Æcorn Bitters

If you’re familiar with Seedlip’s hugely successful non-alcoholic drinks, then let us introduce you to their sister company; Æcorn. Earthy and bittersweet with flavours of juicy grapefruit, this drink is perfect served spritz style with soda, ice and a slice!

Size: 500ml 
ABV: <0.5% ABV
Find here: £17.95

Mockingbird Spirit

As the name suggests, the aim of Mockingbird is to mimic the iconic taste of Tequila. Using authentic Mexican Agave, it’s perfect for cocktails like Margaritas, or as mixer. Unlike Tequila, Mockingbird also features pure ashwagandha for added health benefits, so this is really a win-win.

Size: 700ml 
ABV: <0.5% ABV
Find here: £22.99

Wilfred’s Non-Alcoholic Aperitif

Two years of experiments and 100 different recipes finally paid off, as Wilfred's Bittersweet Orange & Rosemary Aperitif was awarded the top spot at the 2020 Great British Food Awards. With flavours of zesty orange and rhubarb followed by more savoury notes of rosemary, it suits a refreshing spritz down to the ground. Nom!

Size: 500ml 
ABV: 0% ABV
Find here: £19

Longbottom & Co. - Virgin Mary & Tomato Juices

New eye-catching brand Longbottom & Co have gone all in to corner this niche, producing these stylish cans of Virgin Mary and Tomato Juices. Slightly smoky, subtly spicy, and entirely vegan. They are delicious.

Size: 250ml 
ABV: <0.5% ABV
Find here: £2.50 250ml can / £6.50 750ml bottle

Salcombe New London Light Midnight Sun

New London Light is a brand-new collection of non-alcoholic spirits, and Midnight Sun is a Nordic inspired sea and land combination. Elderberries and pine are offset by seaberries and the inventive use of kelp to create a unique, fresh, and natural taste.

Plus, what it takes from the sea it gives back, as 27p for each bottle sold goes to the Marine Conservation Society to help protect and regenerate seagrass! Cheers to that.

Size: 70cl 
ABV: 0% ABV
Find here: £27.50

Sentia

Sentia is a plant based alcohol-free spirit with a unique feature. If we can get scientific for a moment, Sentia makes use of botanicals that promote GABA activity in your brain, replicating the effect alcohol has. Much like the real thing, this leads to feelings of relaxation and calm. As for the taste, it’s a pretty intense bittersweetness with a spiced gingery kick to finish. Sentia are one of the first brands to focus on feeling as well as taste, so we’re excited to see what other flavours they produce!

Size: 500ml
ABV: <0.5% ABV
Find here: £29.50

Trip CBD

CBD is everywhere these days, and drinks are no exception. If you’re not aware of what CBD does, check out our handy guide because it can be massively beneficial. Trip have been preaching about the benefits of CBD since launching in 2019 and have attracted a lot of praise for their gluten-free, vegan and 100% recyclable sparkling drinks. Peach Ginger, Lemon Basil, and Elderflower Mint are the ultimate refreshment trio, and with additional calming botanicals like Lemon Balm and Ginseng, it won’t just be the taste that lifts your spirits! 

Size: 70cl 
ABV: 0% ABV
CBD: 15mg
Find here: £39 24x250ml / £14 6 x250ml

Crodino Aperitivo

Whilst the movement for low alcohol drinks has picked up pace over the last decade, Crodino have been at it since 1965! The Italian brand have hardly changed their methods since way back then, still extracting their unique mix of spices, woods, roots, and herbs in the same way. With the vibrant orange flavour and rich honey colouring, it’s no wonder Crodino has spread across the continent!

Size: 17.5cl
ABV: 0% ABV
Find here: £28.99 12x17.5cl

BEER (No Alcohol)

UNLTD – Alcohol Free IPA

Let us introduce you to The Alcohol Free Brewing Co.’s first attempt at an alcohol free beer; UNLTD. A full flavoured IPA with citrus and tropical fruit flavour, it doesn’t just taste great, but it’s also a ridiculously low 13 calories per bottle. This maiden voyage into alcohol free beer is definitely one worth seeking out.

Size: 330ml
ABV: 0.5% ABV
Find here: £11.89 6x330ml / £23.29 12x330ml

Innovation in this area is absolutely thriving at the minute so if you want to explore even more of our recommendations, try here and here for more ‘LoNo’ beauties. There are some stunning sets available to gift over Christmas that will make Dry January a breeze. 

A Drink Made With Poo That’s Good For You!

Words by Sara Lawrence

While most people cringe at the mention or sight of creepy crawlies, Antcicada, an insect-focused experimental kitchen based in Tokyo, gets their culinary inspiration from them.  Going a step further however, they have teamed up with the Mitosaya Botanical Distillery, located an hour outside Tokyo in Japan, who have created a unique spirit called ‘Sansha’.

Sansha – Silkworm Poo

Sansha refers to silkworm droppings which, according to Chinese medicine, offer improvements to blood flow and relief of joint and abdomen pain. In fact, this excrement has been used in all sort of treatments since ancient times, so if you ever need an excuse to enjoy a tipple, just mention those benefits and grab a glass of Sansha.

How Sansha spirit is made

To create Sansha, the distilling team sources silkworm droppings from cultivated silkworms at a one hundred and fifty-year-old silk farm in Yamanashi prefecture. Silkworms primarily feast on mulberry leaves and their droppings still contain undigested bits of these leaves. You might notice a subtle but distinct aroma from Sansha that is reminiscent of the plant. The process starts with the fermentation of organic mulberries with a rice spirit. The resulting spirit is then mixed with dried silkworm droppings and distilled to create the final product.

On the nose, you’ll pick up subtle notes of gyokuro green tea, prune, seaweed and mulberry. In the glass, you’ll notice a muted green colour. It’s a pleasantly surprising flavor and your palate will feel refreshed. 

Adventurous folk will love the opportunity to have a taste, if you can get your hands on some. Sansha is certainly a drink to remember – and perhaps the only spirit in the world that you can proudly claim tastes like shit. 

See more on the Distillery website here.

Waterford Distillery - It boils down to soil

Photo Credit: Waterford Distillery

In the wine world we are used to the idea of terroir being one of the most important factors in flavour. Similarly, in the world of whisky the idea of place and flavour going together is also logical and widely-known, for example the peaty whiskies from Islay and Sherry bombs from Speyside. However, in today’s world there is even greater emphasis on flavour than address. Peaty whisky doesn’t just come from Islay, it can come from Glasgow or even Australia for that matter, and sherry styles from Taiwan or Japan, for example in the form of Karuizawa.

Within the new world of whisky and flavour, there is one distillery which believes whole heartedly that a large part of the flavour does in fact come from the land on which the barley is grown, and the variety of barley used. Waterford have their barley grown in eighty six farms across Ireland. Each farm has a different soil type and plants different varieties of the grain. To be certain they can show the difference between them, they ferment and distil the barley from the different farms separately.

I’ve been to Waterford and tasted new-make spirit from at least a dozen different farms and varieties, all fermented and distilled the same way, and the difference is remarkable. One of my questions was: why do they do it? There are two simple answers. Firstly, with lots of different new-make spirits, once matured they have a huge palate of flavours to play with when they blend them together to make their whisky. The second reason is to be able to taste the difference if they do single farm bottlings. Waterford are about to launch their inaugural whisky, and within this whisky there is spirit blended from thirty six farms. We await the result with great delight!

The distillery itself is based in Waterford and is not a boutique style distillery. They have two pot stills and the capacity to produce a million litres a year. Their first spirit ran off the stills back on the 9th of December 2015 and production started in January 2016, so by now they certainly have enough casks to create an excellent whisky.