I am halfway through the Dry July and would like to celebrate but at a loss. I have the following ingredients, and define non alcoholic as non intoxicating not completely alcohol free, so splash of something ok.

N/A liqueurs:

Pathfinder

Seedlip Spice

Other:

Coffee

Coconut water, coconut cream

Tepache de piña

Enough pineapple to make a little pineapple juice

Strawberries

Tonic water

Yuzu lime tonic water

Ginger, lemon, lime, bitters

A pretty full bar, and a small amount of good red wine.

Considering just Pathfinder in tonic, that ends up like Chinola soda. But with all this I just feel like it could be more interesting!

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[–] 2 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 child)

Lyre's makes an N.A. "Italian Orange" that is essentially a Campari substitute. I make my wife a low alc. negroni with that, Lyre N.A. gin, and real vermouth, or mix it with seltzer for something like a Campari spritz. She likes it. Seems reasonable to me from a few sips, but I use alcoholic versions in mine, so I haven't had it enough to have a strong opinion.

I should also note that I'm not a stickler for "real" Campari, and have used various Italian red equivalents, like Select, Short Path Amaro, or my current favorite Forthave Red. They all vary a little from Campari in terms of level of bitterness, sweeteness, and spice but bring the same general flavor. And of course the particular vermouth and gin have a big effect on a negroni too...

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  • [–] 1 point 1 month ago (3 children)

    Thanks for the tip I’ll look into it! How bitter is the Lyres?

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  • [–] 2 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

    I'm changing my answer to mild.

    I only have the Red to compare it to directly, which itself is a touch less bitter than Campari (more subtle, softer, more complex spice flavors). But the Lyre is less bitter than the Red, also sweeter, and it has just a touch of citrus acidity (which I don't recall from any alcoholic Campari type liquor). The Lyre is generally a little weak though it does give the general impression of the right sort of flavor.

    Though it occurs to me I'm tasting the Red at a warm room temp, and the Lyre cold (it says to refrigerate or use within 2 weeks... No alcohol to preserve it!) I'll leave some out and confirm again later. ... Nope, controlling for temperature doesn't change my assessment.

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  • [–] 2 points 1 month ago (2 children)

    BTW, assuming you like bitter, and are struggling with getting a satisfying level of bitterness in non or low alcohol cocktails, I've found Amaro Alta Verde useful for that, provided just a little alcohol is OK. It is 24% alcohol but it is very bitter, so just a little bit goes a long way. It can punch up the bitterness in a thing without otherwise affecting the flavor too much.

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  • [–] [S] 3 points 1 month ago

    Thanks for this. Yes bitter I love it in fruity drinks for sure, don't really like many of the bittersweet drinks because my palate perceives them as hypersweet, syrupy like straight sugar.

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