If you want to be sober for the year, or just the month, here are some guilt-free, natural substitutes to get you happy high
Passionate Gin
Dry January began in 2012 as a public health initiative from Alcohol Change UK, a British charity. It wasn’t until a couple of years ago that it gained popularity. Now, millions take part in this health challenge, where people voluntarily stop drinking alcohol after the excesses of December with the objective of starting the new year on a clearer, and healthy note. Those who have abstained from alcohol for 30 days, had more energy, and lost weight, revealed a study in BMJ Open. But why limit it to January alone? So, if you’re looking to give your body a break from booze, try these substitutes.
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‘Doesn’t overpower your palate’
What: Passionate Gin
By Yajush Malik, executive chef, Gallops
After the festive season, Yajush Malik, executive chef, Gallops, prefers to unwind with his alcohol-free cocktail of choice called Passionate Gin. “Usually made with gin, passion fruit purée and elderflower tonic for Dry January, I chose to substitute gin with an alcohol-free distilled gin called Sober. It has beautiful botanicals that give it the characteristic flavours we’ve come to know and appreciate in traditional gin but without the alcohol or any added sugars.” It’s a versatile product, he adds, given that it can be used in a 1:1 ratio to regular gin, meaning you can straight up substitute with without having to alter your cocktail recipes. When combined with passionfruit purée and elderflower tonic, it makes for a perfect non-alcoholic beverage that one can unwind with. “Most alcohol-free drinks tend to have copious amounts of sugar and the fact that Sober gin has no sweetener or added sugar is a big plus point. It allows the flavours of the ingredients of the drink like juniper berry and ashwagandha really stand out without sweetness overpowering your palate.”
Recipe
INGREDIENTS
45 ml Sober
60 ml passionfruit purée
Dash of lime juice
1 bottle Franklin & Sons
Elderflower tonic water.
METHOD
Add Sober, passion fruit purée, lime juice and ice to a shaker.
Mix well and top with the elderflower tonic. Strain and serve in a glass of your choice.
‘Goes best with spicy Indian food’
What: Roselet
By Vasant Shetty, bar manager, Donna Deli
Vasant Shetty, bar manager at Donna Deli, prepares the Roselet. Pic/Atul Kamble
After a heavy boozy season, Roselet could well be what you’d want to detox with, says Vasant Shetty, mixologist at Donna Deli, SV Road. Usually made with Greater Than gin, rose water, rose petals infused syrup, lychee juice and dash of lime, Prabhu has substituted the gin with Svami Tonic.
“This one lights up your mood specially after a tiring hectic day at work, thanks to the freshness of rose petals infused with a secret mix, lychee juice and tonic. “The tonic plays a major role in adding crispness to the drink given the handpicked botanicals used in it,” explains Prabhu. The drink goes best with spicy food giving that perfect balance to your tastebuds.
‘Has a spicy kick’
What: Tom Yum Iced Tea
By Vineeth Krishnan, Bar Manager, Foo
Vineeth Krishnan, Bar Manager, Foo, recommends the Tom Yum Iced Tea, an Asian take on the traditional iced tea, made with lemongrass, black tea and Thai chillies. “It is unique in its taste profile, and lends a kick because of the Thai chilli in it, so you don’t really miss the alcohol. The spice quotient makes up for it.” While black tea is good for your heart, kaffir lime leaves are known to have anti-bacterial properties. Lemongrass is an antioxidant, relieves swelling and reduces your blood sugar.
Ingredients
15 ml Black tea
22.5 ml lime juice
15 ml Thai chilli syrup
20 ml Simple syrup
Kaffir lime leaves
3-4 lemongrass chunks
Method
Muddle lemongrass and kaafir leaves together. Once muddled, add lime juice, Simple syrup, Thai chilli syrup to the shaker. In the end, pour the black tea to the mix. Add ice to the shaker and Shake well. Fine strain after that. After fine straining, pour the drink back into the shaker, for a dry shake without ice. Pour into a footed Pilsner glass and garnish with fresh kaffir leaves.
‘Have it hot or cold for vitality’
What: Blue Pea Lemonade
By Bharat Malu, founder, Chymey
Irrespective of the month, beverage expert and founder of Chymey, Bharat Malu says he cannot do without a cup of tea. “My recent favourite after all the heavy rich food over the festive months, is blue butterfly pea tea, a luminous blue-coloured tea, which has unbelievable health benefits as it contains antioxidants, flavonoids, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties.” It strengthens hair follicles and nourishes skin. Hot or cold, it energises you. “I have an early-morning routine with the tea process, especially on warm days. Add a drop of lemon to see the tea change its colour.”
Method
Heat water in a pan and add the butterfly pea flowers to it. Add sugar to taste. When you get a vibrant blue sugar syrup, take it off and let it cool. Make another mix of hot water plus lime. Cool it and keep aside. Pour the blue pea mix in a glass with ice. As you serve it, add the lime mix to it and watch the colour change from blue to a rich magenta.
‘It’s got a mild hops aroma’
What: Zero Beer
By Jhanvi Mewar, Vice President, Marketing, Copter 7
Copter 7 introduced Zero Beers for beer lovers looking for a drink with a light hop flavour and no alcohol. The chokeberry Zero Beer is a sparkling treat that improves happiness, says Jhanvi Mewar, Vice President, Marketing, Copter 7. “Chokeberry juice from all-natural horticulture is combined with all-natural apple concentrate and non-alcoholic beer to create a delectable but sharp flavour with a mild hops aroma. It has the hint of fruity pulpy notes and is refreshing on the palate,” she says.
‘It triggers the feel-good chemicals’
What: Tryptophantasm
By Chef Shailendra
Chef Shailendra of Sante Spa Cuisine came up with Tryptophantasm in an attempt to boost mental health. “Tryptophantasm borrows its name from Trytophan that is found in banana peels, which are loaded with B6,” he explains. This compound triggers a feel good factor in the body and mind by helping production of serotonin. This happy feeling is similar to our experience with chocolates.
“The high level of Trytophan from banana peels boiled and combined with a pinch of black salt and lemon juice create a floral note on your palate. This fairly restrained simple recipe of a complex thought does make you feel good for sure,’ he says. All you have to do it wash the peels and boil in water for about 20 minutes. Strain the water and cool it down. Add honey, lemon juice and salt. Serve.
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