Over the past year, Lyre's Spirit Co have seen an increase in the the rise of mindful drinking, with Brits swapping their alcoholic beverages for non alcoholic alternatives instead. This is evident in Lyre's latest research into the increase of the most searched for non alcoholic cocktails online in the UK.
While the beginning of lockdown saw many of us indulging a little more frequently than we should, it wasn’t long before COVID-19 led many Brits to reassess their drinking habits.
As a result, non-alcoholic spirits are more popular than ever before. In fact, Google’s Keyword Planner revealed Google searches for non-alcoholic cocktails and booze-free alternatives jumped by 63% between pre pandemic dates to August in the UK.
Here’s what’s been on the menu for sober home mixologists. Mix them up with a top shelf non-alcoholic spirit from Lyre’s and enjoy a pandemic tipple guilt-free.
Non Alcoholic Negroni
There’s something soothing about the rich, bitter flavours of a classic Negroni - but a non-alcoholic version? Is there such a thing?
Yes, there is, and if the increase in searches is anything to go by, plenty of Brits discovered how good it is. Searches for ‘non alcoholic Negroni’ went up by 120% between 2020 and 2021 as we started swapping the booze for herbal and flavoursome alternatives. Here’s how it’s made.
Non Alcoholic Bloody Mary
With the lockdown days bleeding into one another and normal routine going out the window, it’s no surprise that more of us began to say “eh, why not?” to a cheeky morning eye opener.
But the pleasure becomes a lot less guilty, and no less tasty, sans vodka. As a result, non alcoholic Bloody Marys saw an 40% increase in popularity in the depths of COVID-19. Get creative with the garnishes and turn up the heat with extra hot sauce!
Non Alcoholic Old Fashioned
Good news for Don Draper fans: now you really can nonchalantly throw back Old Fashioneds while maintaining a clear head and a clean suit all the while. And a little class was clearly just what we needed during lockdown, with searches for non alcoholic Old Fashioneds increasing by 100% over the past year. Lose the sweatpants and suit up for Lyre’s. Try it here.
Non Alcoholic Espresso Martini
The Espresso Martini is a staple of every big night out on the town, but there hasn’t been many of those in the past year. Clearly we’ve been recreating the magic at home, with searches for non alcoholic varieties increasing by a whopping 189%.
Non Alcoholic Strawberry Daquiri
It might not be the sort of thing you’d sip on the couch in ordinary circumstances, but you know what they say: when you’re in the middle of a pandemic, mix up a Strawberry Daiquiri and just keep on going. At least, we’re assuming that’s the mindset behind the 255% increase in non alcoholic Strawberry Daiquiri searches between 2020 and 2021. Truth be told, we could all use something sweet after the year we’ve had - so try mixing blended strawberries and ice with Lyre's non alcoholic Daiquiri recipe.
Non Alcoholic Pina Colada
This dated holidaymaker favourite, forever associated with that song, made a comeback at the most unexpected of times. While we were all trapped in wintery quarantine apartments, searches for non alcoholic pina coladas went up by 83%. You only need to mix one yourself to see why .
Non Alcoholic Margarita
Sun soaked holidays might still be off the cards for the foreseeable future but, even in the depths of lockdown, we never lost our taste for a good margarita. Searches for non alcoholic varieties went up by 129% over the period. Pour one into a cool, salt-rimmed tumbler and let it carry you away to somewhere warm. Enjoy the recipe here.
Non Alcoholic Sex On The Beach
The bizarre trend toward retro beach cocktails in lockdown continues, with non alcoholic sex on the beach becoming another favourite tipple during this weirdest of times. The sweet and fruity holiday classic increased in popularity by 120% between 2020 and 2021.
Non Alcoholic Mojito
Oceanic adventures, tiki bars, Hemingway-esque tales of adventure… They’ve never seemed further away than they do now, but we’ve still got the drink that symbolises them all. You don’t need rum to get the taste of the Caribbean, as proved by Lyre’s sumptious recipe..
Want to keep your lockdown health goals alive?
Discover the rest of Lyre’s non alcoholic cocktails for more classics, plus a heap of new concoctions to please even the most discerning imbiber.
