NAN

Non-alcoholic News my Nan would approve of!

• 🍺 BEER: The Conservation Alliance and Best Day Brewing have teamed to produce Nature’s Pils with 100% of the profits going to the nonprofits protecting outdoor spaces. (Link) 🇺🇸

• 🥃 SPIRITS: Mexico’s Tomonotomo and their non-alcoholic agave spirit, launched toward the end of last year, is now available across the U.S. Wahoo! (Link) 🇺🇸 🇲🇽

• 🍹 COCKTAILS: Seedlip, along with Regé-Jean Page, have produced a Summer Cocktail Kit. (Link) 🇺🇸 🇬🇧

• 🍹 COCKTAILS: New cocktails from Recess Zero Proof in the form of Classic “Cosmo” and Island “Spritz”. (Link) 🇺🇸

• 🍹 COCKTAILS: Indian-American actor, Waris Ahluwalia, has launched of a sparkling non-alcoholic elixir, Love Conquers All, under his House of Waris brand. (Link) 🇺🇸

• 🍹 COCKTAILS: Shipping this September, Jas are taking pre-orders for their new Mojito Fresco. (Link)

• 🥃 SPIRITS: The beginning of last month saw York Gin and Bax Botanics team up in the UK to produce York Zero. (Link) 🇬🇧

• 🍺 BEER: If you are on the Emerald Isle any time soon, or in fact live there, as my mammy used to, keep an eye out for Fierce Mild’s Extra Pale Ale. (Link) 🇮🇪

ON THE BAR

In each edition of The Modern Substitute, ON THE BAR focuses on three drinks you should be on the look out for. We’ll give you a quick rundown of our thoughts on the drink, who makes it, where to buy it or, in the case of mocktails, how to make it.

Please note: due to popularity or limited runs, some drinks may be out of stock - please check with the beverage companies for updates.

RSRV COLLECTIVE

• Carrboro, NC

• Calories: Orana - 60, Botanica - 50, Amari - 60, Rosata - 50

• Sugar: Orana - 14g, Botanica - 13g, Amari - 13g, Rosata - 11g

• Serving: 6 fl.oz.

• ABV: 0%

• Buy: rsrvcollective.com • store locator • widely available online

• Price: $16.00 (4-pack)

The ModSub thoughts: RSRV Collective, based in North Carolina, is on a mission to encourage you to join their Kenshō movement. Inspired by the East Asian Buddhist term meaning “first steps toward awakening,” the brand aims to help people discover their best selves without relying on alcohol. Their motto, “Be courageously you,” captures this idea perfectly.

For those who have given up alcohol entirely, this is a frequent topic of discussion. While alcohol aides the challenges of socializing, for us non-drinkers there’s a lot to be said for a quality non-alcoholic drink that helps bridge the gap between feeling awkward and uncertain, and feeling a level of confidence to interact and just be ourselves.

The Kenshō Cocktails fulfil that role, providing sophisticated RTD cocktails that boast an intriguing mix of familiar yet complex flavor profiles. You’ll expect one thing, have that confirmed and within seconds have it whipped away from you as you are led in a different direction. They are bold with an understated elegance. 

The Kenshō Cocktails come in four flavors:

Orana
A deep orange citrus flavor, with the sweetness tempered by a slight bitter woodiness, giving the drink a delicious complexity.

RSRV description: Its unique flavor subtly hints at both an old fashioned and a mimosa. You'll taste strong, charred citrus resting on a foundation of wormwood. All perfectly balanced between bitter & sweet, with a hint of smoke. One sip and you’ll think, “Maybe I should buy some cowboy boots and that old pickup truck.” Take Orana to the next level with a maraschino cherry and orange wedge garnish.

Botanica
A collection of flavors drawn from juniper, coriander, rosemary and lavender, rounded out by lime. This one really stuck with me and seems like a popular choice for this time of year.

RSRV description: It's both light and refreshing. You'll notice Botanica's fresh green floral bouquet, with bright, zesty citrus flavor yields to a juniper finish. Equally suited to a hot summer day, or a white tablecloth dinner. Take Botanica to the next level with a lime wedge garnish.

Amari
Next up is RSRV’s nod to the Italian aperitif. All the essential attributes are there: citrus, botanicals and bitterness. But there’s something else … perhaps the sage oil? Delicious. Add fresh raspberries. It’s worth it!

RSRV description: You'll notice Amari hints at its earthiness & bitterness through its bouquet. A deep flavor palate expresses its mix of herbs, spices, plants, and dark citrus. All perfectly balanced with a slightly bitter finish that will transport you to the Amalfi coast. Take Amari to the next level with a fresh raspberry garnish. Always serve chilled.

Rosata
My pick of the bunch. Cherry isn’t even close to my list of favorite fruits, but the mix of sweet and sour cherries and the pep of the ginger is really quite special. Much like the other three, there’s one underlying flavor that really makes it intriguing. It’s that extra, not-so-obvious ingredient that really makes these drinks stand out.

RSRV description: At first you'll notice bright cherry notes wafting from the glass while small carbonated bubbles shoot a hint of sharp ginger into the bouquet. Take a taste and you'll get rich cherry flavors, both sweet and sour, with just the right amount of ginger nip on the finish. Take Rosata to the next level with a maraschino cherry garnish.

Okay, here are my last thoughts on the matter: Orana for brunch, Botanica for an afternoon by the pool, Amari at dinner, and Rosata to dance the night away. 

There. Sorted.

Learn more about RSRV Collective at rsrvcollective.com

BUSTY LUSH - SHE’S GLAMOROUS GRAPEFRUIT PALOMA

• Windsor, CA

• Calories: 59

• Sugar: 12g

• Serving: 12 fl.oz.

• ABV: 0.5%

• Buy: bustylush.com • store locator coming soon! • widely available online

• Price: $14.99 (4-pack)

The ModSub thoughts: You’d be hard-pressed to walk past a shelf full of NA drinks and not be immediately drawn to Chambers Estelle’s beautiful can art for Busty Lush. Gorgeously colorful portraits adorn each can along with accompanying drink titles that describe both the woman on the can and the drink inside—“She’s Divine Oatmeal Dark” and “She’s Passionate Tropical Weisse,” etc. The branding is just beautiful.

Founded by Laurel Harrop, Busty Lush has been gussying up bottle shop shelves since 2021. With three beers and two NA cocktails under her belt, Laurel has created a women-owned beverage company that steers past the male-dominated brewing environment and has developed a brand that speaks to women, though it clearly has great appeal to chaps like me too!

On a hot Saturday afternoon, I picked up a can of She’s Glamorous Grapefruit Paloma, and it proved to be a cracking choice. It’s a lovely mix of sweet, tart, and slightly bitter, with the grapefruit, lime and lemon balanced nicely by the agave syrup. Somewhere at the base of the flavors, I sense a hint of almond, which I can only assume comes from the agave. Wherever it comes from, it adds a fun exit that for a half a second tricks you into thinking there may be a drop of alcohol in there.

On the can it states, “Celebrate Beautiful & Unapologetic Women.” As someone who lives with two wonderful examples of that statement, I couldn’t agree more. Go find some Busty Lush Palomas and celebrate together!

How does Busty Lush describe their Grapefruit Paloma: Vibrant, juicy grapefruit, lime and real agave. This simple, classic cocktail leaves only one thing behind - the booze. Our Paloma is ready to drink, but we suggest pouring it into a glass with a fresh slice of grapefruit or lime.

Learn more about Busty Lush at bustylush.com

COLLECTIVE ARTS - HAZY PALE ALE

• Hamilton, Ontario

• Calories: 90

• Sugar: Unknown

• Serving: 12 fl.oz.

• ABV: 0.4%

• Buy: collectiveartsontario.com • should be fairly easy to get in Canada. For the U.S., order online or keep an eye out at your local bottle shop. I found some in Portland, Oregon.

• Price: $16.00 (6-pack)

The ModSub thoughts: Talking of gorgeous cans that jump out from the shelf at you: I picked up a can of the Hazy Pale Ale from Collective Arts a few weeks back and have been excited to tell you about it.

Collective Arts hails from Hamilton, Ontario, and is the brainchild of Matt Johnston and Bob Russell. They opened the brewery back in 2013 with an idea to “get art in front of beer drinkers.” Since then, they've achieved this by rotating the works of artists, photographers, animators, and illustrators from around the world on their cans, bottles, and other merchandise.

The idea exploded so much that you could be forgiven for wondering whether Collective Arts is an arts organization that brews beer or a brewery that birthed an arts community. Either way, as of 2021—I can’t find more up-to-date numbers—Collective Arts has featured an extraordinary 2,000+ artists from 40 countries across 6 continents. Wowza.

So it’s no wonder the can I picked up caught my eye. The Hazy Pale Ale art, along with CA’s other two NA beers, an IPA and an Emerald Stout, is designed by @glideandglow, and they are super cool. As is the beer! It’s a lovely pale golden pour with an impressive head. It’s nice and hoppy, chock full of tropical fruitiness, and a little milder on the bitter side of things.

After a long run in my local park, with only mosquitoes forcing the pace, it was nice to get home and open this Hazy Pale Ale. A thirst-quencher supreme, and as my mum used to say, “It barely touched the sides!” Lovely stuff.

How does Collective Arts describe their Hazy Pale Ale: Here at Collective Arts, we want everyone to come to the party! That's why we created this Pale Ale that was brewed as a traditional New England Hazy Pale Ale. It contains a unique yeast that brews a very low alcohol version of our classic hoppy beer. Using Mosaic and Citra hops, this brew is citrusy with tropical fruit hop aromas and bright red berry notes. Pairs perfectly with a good time.

Learn more about Collective Arts at collectiveartsontario.com