The blossoms are already out on the cherry trees, making it time to toast the end of winter. We’ve rounded up some fabulous new NoLo drinks so you can celebrate without the hangover!

NON8 Torched Apple & Oolong

The latest model in the NON line up is the most intriguing yet: NON8 Torched Apple & Oolong. Containing orchard apples, caraway seed, cacao nib, oolong, keemun, burnt sugar, ginger root, Murray River salt, and verjus, it has the scent of a day picking windfall apples among wet autumn leaves, with a cool spicy flavour that hits every note: tangy, sweet, salty, and umami, with the faintest lingering bitters. This deep amber magic is definitely our favourite of the NON range so far, and it’s the first release of NON’s 2023 Spring/Summer capsule collection – we can’t wait to try the next ones! NON8 is available from $30 RRP at www.non.world .

Bach Brewing –  All Day Original Non Alc IPA

Bach Brewing is a family owned brewing company located between the shores of Auckland’s harbours.  In 2018, Bach Brewing won the inaugural overall Champion Brewer trophy at the New Zealand Beer Awards. It’s a 100% craft brewed fermented non-alcoholic beer (not alcohol removed) which means it tastes better! Its low on the hop taste with citrus flabours from the Citra, Mosaic and Nectaron hops.  It’s now one of our favourite IPA’s.Available for purchase via Dan Murphy’sRRP $89.99

VIA Drinks Sparkling range

“This is what grown up lemonade should taste like” was our first thought on sampling their Sparkling Seventy-Five. Billed as “a classic French spritz with layers of fragrant juniper, zesty native lemon myrtle and sweet bergamot orange”, it’s one of the latest, greatest NoLo drinks to sparkle on our tastebuds.

Also fascinating was the Sparkling Aperitif. At first hit it was like shandy, then aromatic, dark marmalade orange swept over and lingered at the end. The Sparkling Margarita was also complex and interesting (in a good way) with a gently zingy, fruit dance of different flavours.

What we really liked about these alcohol-free drinks was how balanced they were: enough sweetness not to be sour but without being sugary, enough taste to have flavour without being overly strong or rasping. They are just really nice drinks, perfect for a picnic, a party or simply sipping at home.

All four VIA Drinks contain natural botanical adaptogens, such as Schisandra, L-Theanine, Guayusa and Wattle Flower, that are supposed to boost your mood. They were created by Australians Sarah Morley and Kiersten Mason who “wanted more out of non-alcoholic alternatives” when it comes to flavour, sensation and overall drinking experience. The full line-up of VIA Drinks, which have already won prizes at the World Alcohol-Free Awards, includes:

• Sparkling Seventy-Five: a classic French spritz with layers of fragrant juniper, zesty native lemon myrtle and sweet bergamot orange
• Sparkling Margarita: layers of agave, tangy finger lime and sweet bergamot orange
• Sparkling Aperitif: classic Italian spritz with layers of sunripe bergamot orange and zesty cinchona bitters
• Sparkling Brut: crisp and layered with subtle notes of native wattle flower

VIA Drinks are available online at VIAdrinks.com. Currently in cans, there’s a glass bottle version of Sparkling Brut coming out soon.

Lyre’s White Cane Spirit

Time to waft off into tropical bliss with non-alcoholic spirit specialist Lyre. We’re sampling their Lyre’s White Cane Spirit, a 0% rum, where “Oak and sugar cane provide the platform for the marzipan, orange and coconut to shine, rounded off with a light, peppery finish.” We’ve been mixing it with Coca Cola for an angelic “rum-and-coke”.

Lyre has actually partnered with Vanuatu’s luxe Aore Island Resort to create a range of mocktails – including the signature Aore Coconut Mojito – for “sober curious” travellers. If you’re lucky enough to have a free travel window in your calendar, Vanuatu is only a 3 hour 30 flight from Sydney.

Lyre’s is available from a wide range of bottle shops including BWS and Dan Murphy’s. You can also buy direct from their website at Lyres.com.au

Waterbox alkaline water

Not just booze-free but everything-free, Waterbox is a new alkaline water in 100% sustainable, recyclable packaging. The perfect minimalist accessory for the gym, the alkaline water is sourced directly from Cottonwood Springs in Victoria. Waterbox, a collaboration between Australian startup The Boxed Beverage Company and Tetra Pak, claims to have one of the highest-known silica contents in bottled water, as well as high levels of magnesium. 

Waterbox (500ml) is available in selected Foodlands, Romeon’s and IGA outlets in South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia, and New South Wales from $2.50 per unit.