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- The Coffee Issue: Part 1
The Coffee Issue: Part 1
Plus the latest non-alcoholic drinks from around the world


MODSUB#70

Wotcha!
If you're anything like me, the first thing you look forward to in the morning is a good cup of coffee.
While I'm clearly passionate about non-alcoholic drinks, my love for coffee is just as strong.
In the next two issues, I’ll be shining a spotlight on coffee in adult non-alcoholic drinks. From liqueurs to RTDs, and from beer to bitters, I’ll explore some of my favorite coffee-inspired creations.
Enjoy!
Myles
P.S. Let’s face it, no-one needs much of an excuse to plan a trip to NYC but here’s a very good reason to go next September: Drinks with Benefits, Zero Proof and Wellness Festival. Check out the details below.

In this week’s edition:
NAN
New NA Drink News
SPIRIT
Lyre’s - Coffee Originale
COCKTAIL
St. Agrestis - Phoney Espresso Negroni
COCKTAIL
Mocktails - Caffè Carnivale Espress0% Martini
Read time: 6 minutes 48 seconds

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NAN
New NA Drink News

NORTH AMERICA
• BEER: Big news over in California, where Fort Point Beer Company have debuted NA versions of two brewery favorites. KSA Kölsch Style Ale and Villager SF Style IPA are out now. (Link)
• BEER: Coming very soon is Wheat Without Worry from Primal Brewery in North Carolina. (Link)
• SPIRITS: Making its debut at Mindful Drinking Fest a week or so back, Tradition Beverages are launching not one, not two, but three non-alcoholic tequilas: Añejo, Cristalino and Mezcal. (Link)
• SPIRITS: There’s a new entry in the Aperitivo category: Mionetto have launched Aperitivo Zero. (Link)
• BEER: Portand’s Heck Brewing has just announced Secret Handshake Dark, currently available on draft in their hometown. The collaboration with Puff Coffee will also be appearing at the Festival of the Dark Arts in Astoria, Oregon. (Link)
• BEER: Not only do Armistice Brewing Company have a fabulous logo, they also have a new 100% Mosaic Hopped Hop Water going by the name of Clear Hop. (Link)

WORLDWIDE
• WINE ALTERNATIVE: If you are a Copenhagen Sparkling Tea fan, you’ll excited to hear their LYSERØD, LYSEGRØN and BLÅ are now available in half bottles. (Link)
• WINE: Over in France, Domaine Villa Noria have produced Levin 0%, the first alcohol-free wine produced by alcohol-free fermentation. (Link)
• BEER: Japan’s Inclus Wine and Brewing have released their batch #7, Pomme!Pomme! Chile Haze, “a white-wheat IPA mouthfeel with sour apple body and a red-chile tingling at the end,” according to brewery owner, Shun Ishida. (Link)
• COCKTAILS: Over in the Netherlands, Wilder Land have launched six botanische brouwsels (botanical brews) which frankly sound amazing. (Link)

SPIRIT

Origin: Australia | Serving: 23.7 fl.oz. (700ml) |
ModSub: Honestly, a bottle of coffee liqueur probably wouldn’t have ranked very high on my list of must-haves for my non-alcoholic bar. Even in the “before times,” I’d buy a bottle of Kahlúa for a few White Russians, only for it to end up shoved to the back of the drinks cabinet, gathering dust for the next three years.
But when I got a text from Mrs. ModSub asking if I’d tried Lyre’s Coffee Originale, I thought, “Why not? Let’s give it a shot.” It’s turned out to be a more than worthy addition to our spirit collection.

Neat: Definitely sippable with a pleasant viscosity. While the sugar content is relatively low, it was a bit too sweet for my taste. I’d likely opt for using the spirit in a cocktail rather than straight from the bottle.

Espresso Martini: Super easy to make and definitely a crowd-pleaser, this cocktail is a great option to consider for your next dinner party. The Coffee Originale brings a delightful depth of flavor to the espresso-based drink. The choice of coffee beans plays a key role in shaping the flavor—mine contributed a lovely smoky chocolate note. The addition of vanilla syrup balances the espresso's bitterness while adding a subtle, sweet floral twist to the mix. (I substituted Ritual Rum Alternative for the Lyre’s White Cane Spirit recommended in the recipe)

Lyre’s Originale Coffee Highball: This simple highball recipe was an immediate favorite. Coffee liqueur and tonic water don’t immediately seem like appropriate bedfellows but boy do they work perfectly together. The result is sweet and nutty, with a hint of spice, complemented by the gentle, sweet bitterness of the tonic water. It’s a fantastic go-to drink for weeknights, offering that special weekend cocktail vibe. I added a squeeze of Meyer lemon to give it an extra lemony floral boost. Delicious!
If I had one small complaint, it would be that I wish there were more Lyre’s drink recipes in their collection for Coffee Originale. That said, it’s a minor niggle, and I plan to spend some time experimenting with warm coffee cocktails to see how they turn out.
How does Lyre’s describe their Coffee Originale: This unique spirit has been impossibly crafted to capture the essence of a rich and vinous coffee liqueur with flavours that are distinct and contemporary. Lyre's spirits have their distinction as a premium, non-alcoholic beverage.
Unfortunately the Coffee Carnivale is currently out of stock on the company website but it is available on many other online outlets.


COCKTAIL

Origin: Brookyln, NY | Size: 6.8 fl.oz. (2 servings) |
ModSub: In the last 12 months, there has been a wave of Negroni RTDs hitting the market, the most recent of which—The Pathfinder’s Negroni—has been met with an extra level of anticipation. St. Agrestis, however, has been at the forefront of the non-alcoholic Negroni scene since early 2022.
When Phony Negroni launched, it elevated the NA RTD market to new heights. The double-serve bottles, with their gorgeous, eye-catching labels, contained a liquid that came remarkably close to resembling the classic cocktail—minus, of course, the ethanol.
While many beverage companies have added a Negroni to their ever-expanding cocktail SKUs, St. Agrestis has stayed focused. They’ve released an Amaro Falso, a Mezcal Negroni, and, more recently, an intriguing White Negroni.
Last January, the Brooklyn-based company delighted coffee-loving non-alcoholic drinkers, like myself, with the announcement of a limited-run Phoy Espresso Negroni.

This NA version of the Negroni Svegliato (wide awake In Italian) is, as far as I'm aware, the first of its kind. Building on the original bittersweet citrus profile, the addition of in-house brewed espresso adds an extra bump of bitterness and acidity. The coffee also introduces a rich, nutty flavor to the mid-palate—a warm, flavorful embrace to the original Phony—before the bitterness from both the coffee and the botanicals trails off beautifully into the distance.
With 100 mg of caffeine in this double-serve bottle, I know I’ll want to choose my consumption time wisely. For those occasions that call for a coffee at both ends of the day, though, the Phony Espresso Negroni is an absolute delight. Once again, St. Agrestis has knocked it out of the park.
How does St. Agrestis describe their Phony Espresso Negroni: Phony Espresso Negroni is made utilizing the base of our beloved classic Phony Negroni®. This bitter foundation is perfectly balanced and blended with the rich, acidic and bitter notes of espresso, brewed in house using only the finest roasted espresso beans, all to keep you going further. These layered botanicals paired with a touch of carbonation provide a silky mouthfeel that mimics the bite of alcohol.
Previously: St. Agrestis - Amaro Falso

COCKTAIL

Origin: United Kingdom | Size: 6.8 fl.oz. |
ModSub: Last month, a group of us gathered at a downtown bar to kick off the holiday festivities. Rich in history, the bar consistently offers top-notch service and is famed for its alcoholic coffee drinks and theatrics that accompany their preparation.
However, my enthusiasm waned when I glanced at the “non-alcoholic beverages” section of the menu, only to find a rather uninspiring selection of freshly squeezed juice, San Pellegrino, Red Bull and standard sodas—pretty disappointing for someone who doesn’t drink.
While bottles were being poured from great heights into flaming glasses, I found myself sitting on the sidelines, sipping my ginger beer and feeling, quite frankly, left out. Where was my fun, celebratory coffee drink? Then it dawned on me …
AT HOME!
After bidding farewell and exchanging holiday wishes, I returned home determined to remedy the situation. I popped open a can of Caffe Carnivale Espresso 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 and packed with the punch of two espresso shots per can, it’s certainly no slouch in the caffeine department.
If you're looking for a fun cocktail that makes you feel part of the holiday celebration, you could do far worse than this Espresso Martini—assuming, of course, the establishment you're in carries them or any other non-alcoholic alternatives! Grrrrr.
How does Mocktails describe their Espress0% Martini: A rich espresso 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.
This recommendation was first published on December 9, 2023

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