There has been the occasional moment where I’ve looked for a non-alcoholic alternative to my favourite tipple. After years of sugary substitutes (I’m looking at you, Schloer), the non-alcoholic drinks market has exploded in recent years, making such a choice easier.
While in general I’ve disliked and avoided the mock hard stuff, in 2020 I saw Aldi launch their non-alcoholic pink gin substitute, and since it was only £9.99, I thought I’d give it a go.
According to the website, KVÎST is a complex handcrafted blend of 8 individual distillates – Juniper, Silver Birch, Orange Peel, Cardamom, Pimento, Cascarilla Bark, Gentian and Rhubarb Root. Using an innovative technique to absorb and retain the flavour of juniper and other botanical extracts without the alcohol.
I tried the Rosa version, which is a beautiful pale pink in a stylish bottle with illustrations of the various botanicals.
It has a definite fruitiness to it, and I’m impressed by the complexity of the flavour. There is very little sweetness, so those looking for a sugary gin liqueur or pink gin substitute should steer clear.
Served over ice with a Fever-Tree tonic (I like the ), it’s hard to tell it apart from gin. In fact, it is such a good placebo that on occasion I have got a gin-induced headache afterwards…
I tried KVÎST after several months of debating about whether or not to invest in a bottle of Seedlip non-alcoholic spirit…and just couldn’t justify the cost (the same as actual gin!) But for under a tenner, KVÎST is definitely worth a shot this Dry January.
Aldi stocks can be a bit hit and miss, but Amazon have it available with Prime delivery for £11.99.
0 Comments