NAN

Non-Alcoholic News my Nan would approve of!

• 🍺 BEER: Brooklyn Brewery have just announced the release of their new Grapefruit IPA. (link)

• 🏬 STORE: Boston has it’s first non-alcoholic bottle shop. Go visit Dray Drinks next time you are in South End. (link)

• 🏬 STORE: Target has just announced they will be expanding their non-alcoholic products in 450 stores. Expect to see De Soi, Kin Euphorics, Nope, Ghia and Surely wine amongst others. (link)

• 🍹 COCKTAIL: Before and After are two brand new debut drinks from (Parenthesis). (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.

MOCKTAILS - CAFE CARNIVALE ESPRESS0% MARTINI

• United Kingdom

• Calories: 98

• Serving: 6.8 fl.oz.

• ABV: 0%

• Buy: drinkmocktails.com • Total Wine • Multiple online stores

• Price: $44.99 (12-cans), $15.99 (4-cans)

The ModSub thoughts: This past weekend, a group of us gathered at a downtown bar to kick off the holiday festivities. Rich in history, this bar consistently offers top-notch service and are famed for their alcoholic coffee drinks and the theatrics that accompany their preparation.

However, my enthusiasm waned when I looked over the “non-alcoholic beverages” section of the menu, discovering a rather uninspiring selection of freshly squeezed juice, San Pellegrino, Red Bull and standard sodas—pretty disappointing for someone who doesn’t drink.

So while the contents of bottles were being poured from great heights into flaming glasses, I was watching from the sidelines sipping my ginger beer, feeling, quite frankly, left out. Where was my fun celebratory coffee drink? Then it dawned on me …

AT HOME! 

So returning home after bidding farewell and exchanging holiday wishes, I decided to remedy the situation and popped open a can of Caffe Carnivale Espress0 Martini from Mocktails. 

The satisfying gurgle of the nitro widget accompanied a smooth pour, yielding a lovely blend of coffee, vanilla and cocoa with a creamy head. Slightly sweet with the punch of two espresso shots per can, it's certainly no slouch in the caffeine department. 

But if you are after a fun cocktail that will make you feel a part of the holiday celebration, you could do worse than order one of these Espress0 Martinis—assuming, of course, the establishment you're in carries them or any other non-alcoholic alternatives for that matter!

How Mocktails describes their Espress0% Martini: Dark coffee liquid with light brown crema foam head. Aromas of sweet coffee and vanilla burst from the glass. On the palate bitter coffee notes dance with sweet vanilla and mocha notes, with a long silky smooth finish.

Learn more about Mocktails at drinkmocktails.com

WILDERTON - EARTHEN

• Hood River, Oregon

• Calories: 0

• Serving: 25.4 fl.oz. (1-2 fl.oz. per serving)

• ABV: 0%

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

• Price: $36.99

The ModSub thoughts: If you have dipped your toe into the new world of non-alcoholic spirits, or indeed taken a full plunge like me, you will be well aware of Wilderton. If you haven’t, you are in for a treat.

A local success story we’re all proud of, Wilderton was started by liquor industry veteran Brad Whiting and botanical grand-master distiller, Seth O’Malley. Rather than recreating non-alcoholic versions of existing spirits, they aimed to pioneer something entirely new in a barely explored category.

It was a bold move but one that has paid off. Introduced in 2020, Earthen, along with its citrus counterpart Lustre, have quickly become two of the most prominent spirits in the marketplace. More recently, they have expanded their line-up with Bittersweet Aperitivo. All are made with raw botanicals, locally sourced where possible. All are gluten-free, calorie-free and both Earthen and Lustre are sugar-free.

Earthen has been a staple on my bar cart for a couple of years now. It was the first non-alcoholic spirit I purchased and I’ve never looked back. It’s a drink with bold flavors - pepper for a kick, cardamom for warmth, spice, sweetness, and a myriad of flavors, and all combined with pine-smoked tea.

It's an exceptional drink and truly unlike anything on the market that I’m aware of. It’s one of the few NA spirits that holds its own on the rocks, and it’s equally versatile in a whole host of cocktail concoctions. Treat yourself to a bottle for the holidays; it might just be the best gift you receive!

There are plenty of cocktail recipies on the Wilderton website. PIctured above is a huge favorite of mine, the Modern Old Fashioned made with, amongst other things, a lovely Mulling Spice Syrup. Super easy to make and perfect for the festive period.

Below is a fun apple-based cocktail, Pomme Et Terre, with a lovely fizzy tartness that is sure to keep you on those aforementioned toes.

How Wilderton describes Earthen: Smooth, sultry and spicy, Earthen invites you to savor every sip with a heady combination of white peppercorn, pine-smoked tea and cardamom. Simply mix with ginger ale and a slice of fresh lime for a drink that invokes deep conversations with a friend while cozying up by the fire or quietly unwinding solo after the day.

Learn more about Wilderton at wildertonfree.com

UNTITLED ART - CHOCOLATE DARK BREW

• Waunakee, WI

• Calories: 90

• Serving: 12 fl.oz.

• ABV: <0.5%

• Buy: drinkuntitled.com • store locator • widely available online and at local supermarkets

• Price: $16.99

The ModSub thoughts: Talking about drinks you'd want to consume at this time of year, one of my favorite dark beers in the last couple of years has been Untitled Art’s Chocolate Dark Brew.

I read an Instagram comment the other day that went something along the lines of, “Yeah, I’ve been swapping out my beach beers for fire-pit beers.” I thought that was a great way to describe this time of year and the type of beers you're likely to reach for. The Chocolate Dark Brew is one such beer.

Up there with the best NA beers, period - never mind just stouts - the CDR is full-bodied with an unsurprisingly strong chocolate flavor, a malty foundation punctuated by refreshing carbonation, and rounded out nicely with a gentle bitterness to offset the sweetness from the chocolate.

For anyone of the dark beer persuasion, this one is a must. Lovely jubbly.

How Untitled Art describes Chocolate Dark Brew: All the rich chocolatey goodness of your favorite stout, now without the alcohol! Loads of dark malt and cacao nibs give this dark brew the smooth bitterness and luxurious body befitting a decadent liquid dessert! Our membrane filtration technology allows us to brew fully-fermented beer and gently remove the alcohol without losing the aromas and flavors of your favorite styles. All Flavor, No Alcohol!

Learn more about Untitled Art at drinkuntitled.com

Previously from Untitled Art on The ModSub: American Gold • Oktoberfest