So, the good people who organise Dry July every year have done us a solid, and realised that perhaps things need to be a little easier for us at the moment – including when it comes to abstaining from the booze, even if it is for a good cause.
This year, the annual challenge, which aids charities such as Look Good Feel Better, Bowel Cancer New Zealand and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand, has been re-dubbed ‘Dryish July’ with participants encouraged to give up alcohol for 14, 21 or the traditional 31 days.
If you’re giving it a bash this month, or if you’re just being a bit more mindful about the booze rn because, you know 2020, well done and good luck – below we have your ultimate survival guide to get you through those social gatherings and parties with ease.
Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic Spirits
Cleverly named for the Australian Lyrebird (the one that can mimic other sounds – see what they did there?) Lyre’s has a range of 12 non-alcoholic spirits that taste pretty damn close to their boozy brothers. You can pretty much make any classic cocktail with the flavours, which include their take on gin, whisky, vermouth, rum and even absinthe.
Available at supermarkets and liquor shops, RRP $54.99 each.
Scroll down for Lyre’s recipe for a non-alcoholic espresso martini
Seedlip
The original alcohol-free gin still commands respect as one of the best faux spirits on the market, and has been a staple for those who love a G&T but don’t want the resulting buzz or, in some cases, floods of tears.
Best served simply with a good-quality tonic and a slice of lime, or a twist of grapefruit.
RRP $64.99, available at liquor shops and supermarkets
Edenvale Wines
Sometimes, you just want, no, you need a glass of wine at the end of a day you’d rather forget. For a lot of us, it’s also a habit. But just because you want your drop of vino, it doesn’t mean there has to be booze in it. Aussie brand Edenvale’s wines have had all the alcohol removed, but still retains the ‘wine-ness’ of the drop that’l satisfy even the most discerning wino in your life. They make a rose, shiraz, sparking cuvee, sav, pinot noir, blanc de blanc and a sparkling shiraz, so all tastes are covered!
RRP from $11.99, available from thegoodwine.co.nz or Countdown supermarkets
Lo Bros Kombucha
It’s fizzy, it’s tangy, and it’s apparently doing something good to your gut, so everyone wins. Lo Bros’ range of kombucha hits the mark every time, with a wide range of flavours and sizes. Perfect when you’re in the habit of grabbing a beer, kombucha is the perfect replacement for habitual drinkers.
RRP from $3.20, available from supermarkets nationwide
Heineken 0.0%
For this reviewer, Heineken’s 0% beer tastes more ‘like beer’ than their low-alcohol variant, and it’s a perfectly acceptable drink to quell your cravings and get that refreshing, ‘ahhhh, beer’ feeling. These are also perfect for an after-work drink when you have to drive home.
RRP $14.49 for 6x 330ml, available at supermarkets and liquor shops.
Lyre’s Espresso Martini:
