Gone are the days when designated drivers and non-boozers sadly sipped on their energy drinks or sodas while their pro-alcohol friends indulged in exquisitely concocted cocktails.
With the aim of expanding an already limited range of non-alcoholic beverage alternatives, the world’s most awarded, impossibly crafted, premium quality non-alcoholic spirits brand is taking South Africa by storm, one mocktail at a time.
Lyre’s is on a mission to service the unmet need of any Saffas looking for an easy solution to more mindful drinking. They’ve recently launched in South Africa with a range of five non-alcoholic variants that both pay homage to and easily rival the flavours of their alcoholic equivalents:
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- Dry London Spirit (Gin alternative)
- Italian Spritz (an Amalfi Spritz)
- American Malt (Bourbon alternative)
- Coffee Originale (designed for an Espresso Martini)
- White Cane Spirit (classic white rum alternative)
Much like its namesake, the Australian Lyrebird, Lyre’s portfolio of premium non-alcoholic spirits is specifically designed to mimic 90% of the world’s best-selling cocktails.
All this, without compromising the signature textures, palate weights, and aromas that accompany the time-tested cocktails that all boozers know and love.
“Lyre’s spirits don’t just mimic; they have their own distinction as a premium non-alcoholic beverage,” says Mark Livings, CEO and Co-Founder.
How is this possible? With meticulous blending of natural essences and extracts and step-by-step advice from Australia’s highly regarded sommelier, restaurateur, and decade-long wine specialist, David Murphy.
Fun fact: David Murphy drew on no less than 25 different natural essences and extracts from Lyre’s library of over 6000 extracts, essences, and distillates in his quest to produce Lyre’s Dry London Spirit.
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What’s more, apart from the benefits of being non-alcoholic, the Lyre’s range is gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and substantially lower in calories than the original spirit.
A review of Lyre’s non-alcoholic line-up
Cape {town} Etc’s Tauhira Ajam, a lifelong non-boozer, attended a premium spirits tasting at the Iron Steak and Bar restaurant, hosted by Mixologist and Lyre’s brand ambassador, Barman Joe.
The natural flair with which Barman Joe presented these non-alcoholic cocktails alongside some lip-smacking wagyu-dressed popcorn, a meatball starter, and flat iron steak made for an intoxicating experience. Perhaps it was the non-alcoholic liquid courage?
On arrival, we were greeted with a refreshing Italian Spritz High Ball followed by a Classic Daquiri made with Lyre’s White Cane Spirit. As a non-drinker, both beverages embodied the perfect balance between sweet, tart, and refreshing that I have always imagined boozy cocktails to be.
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We were then served a taster of Lyre’s American Malt, neat, to explore the core flavour of the spirit itself. The word around the table was that while the taste was tempered down, the nose flawlessly mimicked the tell-tale toasted vanilla and warm caramel scent of an authentic bourbon.
Barman Joe explained that this was because the spirits are designed specifically for cocktails and not to be drunk neat.
Next, mains were served with a choice of a Basil Gimlet & Clover Club made with Lyre’s Dry London Spirit or a Blackberry Smash made with Lyre’s American Malt. I opted for the former. The drink was laced with a sharp sourness and a silky smoothness.
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And of course, to end things off, we were treated to a liquid dessert, an Espresso Martini made with Lyre’s American Malt. It was so good that we didn’t need the desserts: creamy, bitter in the best way, and decadent all-round.
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After the final sip and having to remind myself that I didn’t actually just drink alcohol, my conclusion was that the words of Mark Livings and his notion of changing the way the world drinks certainly ring true.
“Our unparalleled spectrum of drinks means that under a consistent banner of ‘Make it a Lyre’s,’ any venue (or home bartender) can make almost any drink using simple swaps with the Lyre’s line-up,” allowing you the freedom to drink your drink, your way, any time of the day.
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Also read:
Non-alchoholic tasting experiences for non-drinkers in Cape Town
Picture: Tauhira Ajam