As October transitions from the warm remnants of summer to colder weather, November ushers in sub-zero temperatures in Switzerland. Ordinary pumpkin spice lattes fall short during this seasonal transformation. Satiate the need for fresh yet warming beverages with non-alcoholic drinks and zero-proof cocktails.
Benefits of Non-alcoholic Drinks for Autumn
As the holiday season gets closer, there’s always a chance of overindulging in alcohol. The longer nights and alcohol-laden parties are a deadly combination. The freezing temperature and the stress of the holiday season make matters worse. So, if you suspect your drinking habit is getting out of hand, you’re probably right.
That’s why autumn is the perfect time to explore the sober-curious lifestyle. Indulge in non-alcoholic drinks and cocktails without worrying about hangovers, brain fog and lost productivity. Sip on a warm cup of non-alcoholic mulled wine before bed, and sleep well every night.
What is no alcohol November?
The concept of No Alcohol November isn’t new. People have been abstaining from alcohol in preparation for the holiday season for decades. The goal is to stop consuming alcohol for 30 days to observe the impact it creates on your body and mind.
If you want to make it a little easier, try planning ahead. Get ahead of your cravings by stocking up on non-alcoholic drinks. If parties tempt you, stay in with your friends and throw an alcohol-free get-together. Remember, the goal is to focus on your health while having a good time!
Should you consider it?
Learn to recognise the signs that you should rethink your approach to alcohol consumption. The most significant one is blackout spells - frequently having no recollection of events after drinking. Losing large chunks of memory is often a telltale sign of problematic drinking.
Binge-drinking spells are another sign that you should consider abstaining from alcohol. Alcohol is also an irritant to the stomach lining. Within two weeks of this challenge, you’ll see significant improvement in acid refluxes. As you approach the fourth week, your liver function could show improvement. It means your liver can prioritise crucial tasks such as metabolising fats and breaking down toxins in your body.
But remember, this challenge isn’t only for those with problematic drinking habits. Any sober-curious person can also participate and enjoy the bliss of an alcohol-free life.
Non-alcoholic Drinks to Order during Sober November
Autumn is a magical time. The crisp air, the bright colours and the warm flavours make it rich and give it character. That’s why most autumn drinks use robust and complex beverages like spiced rum, fruit-infused liquors and aged spirits.
But don’t feel left out if you’re considering mindful drinking. There are tonnes of autumnal non-alcoholic drinks that you’ll love. From alcohol-free mulled wine to a fall 75, these drinks will keep you warm and satiate your cravings.
Discover creative autumnal non-alcoholic drinks using VE Refinery’s exceptional alcohol-free wines, spirits, and fermented teas here.
1. Virgin Mulled Wine
There’s nothing like a steaming cup of mulled wine on a chilly autumn evening to warm you up. It’s the incomparable companion for warm and cosy days when you want to curl up on the couch with your favourite book or person.
And if you want to check your alcohol consumption or generally don’t prefer it, the alcohol-free variant is best for you. Use Thomson & Scott Noughty’s dealcoholized Rouge for the perfect pick-me-up.
Ingredients:
- 50 ml red wine
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 star anise
- 4 cloves
- 3 black peppercorns
- Freshly sliced orange
- Apple juice
- Sugar (optional)
Method:
Add the red wine, apple juice, sugar and whole spices to a slow cooker. If you want an extra kick in your wine, then add a few more sticks of cinnamon and cloves alongside cardamon, nutmeg and a little bit of ginger. Add the blackberries and apple juice at last. Remember to not boil the spices and let the cooker steam gradually.
Salty and creamy cheese pairs with a spicy mulled wine like a dream! Nuts are also an exciting pairing; try honey-roasted, herb-roasted and barbecued nuts. The sweetness of gingerbread cookies also nicely complements the spicy wine.
2. Apple Cider Mimosa
On a crispy autumn morning, when you’re craving something spicy, a citrusy and bubbly mimosa just isn’t enough. When there is a nip in the air, you need something to warm you up from the inside.
Swap the regular for a non-alcoholic apple cider mimosa on your next Sunday brunch celebrating No Alcohol November. And you can use Thomson & Scott Noughty’s sparkling Chardonnay to make this easy recipe.
Ingredients:
- Alcohol-free Apple cider (or fresh pressed apple juice)
- Alcohol-free sparkling wine
- Apple slices (optional)
- Cinnamon sugar (optional)
Method:
Decorate the champagne flutes with cinnamon sugar on the rims for an instant kick. Fill the champagne flute ¼ with apple cider (or juice) and top it up with the Noughty sparkling Chardonnay. You can drizzle a bit of caramel sauce before pouring the ingredients into the flutes for a more authentic autumn experience. Garnish with crisp apples before serving.
The apple cider mimosa perfectly complements pancakes, bacon, and eggs. Serve alongside buttery waffles drizzled with honey for the best brunch menu! Staying true to the autumn theme, you can also serve apple pancakes and sweet potato frittatas.
3. Fall Special Vegan Nog
Eggnog has become synonymous with the holiday season, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your favourite drink in the autumn. And especially when you prefer a vegan and alcohol-free version over the store-bought one. Replace the brandy, dark rum or cognac in the eggnog with Feragaia’s Scottish alcohol-free spirit for the perfect Vegan Nog.
Ingredients:
- 50 grams of cashew nuts soaked in water overnight
- 300 ml oat milk
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- Pinch of vanilla powder
- Pinch of ground cloves
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 50 ml Feragaia alcohol-free spirit
Method:
Add all the ingredients, except for the spirit, to a blender and mix until frothy. Pour the Feragaia into the smooth mixture gently and stir with a bar spoon. Once ready, pour it into a French wine glass and serve it cold to your guests. If you like it hot, gently heat it in a pan before adding the spirit. Garnish with a cinnamon stick before serving.
When pairing dishes with vegan nog, aim to complement its creamy texture and sweet flavour. Roasted mushrooms with soft cheeses work well for savoury options, while gingerbread cookies and bread puddings make delightful dessert pairings with this drink.
4. The Fall 75
No Alcohol November is the perfect opportunity to try the alcohol-free French 75 with a twist. Replace the gin and champagne with alcohol-free alternatives and enjoy your favourite cocktail at any time of the day without compromising your health. Make this drink more fall-friendly and add another layer of tangy and fruity flavours. Find out how here.
Ingredients:
- 5 cups Concord grapes (with and without stems)
- 1 lemon
- 50ml of Pentire Adrift
- 25ml of fresh lemon juice
- 20ml of simple syrup
- 3 ice cubes
- Thomson & Scott non-alcoholic sparkling Chardonnay
Method:
Purée the grapes in a blender till only specs of skin are left in the mixture. Strain the mix through a fine mesh strainer to get all the juice out. Add ¼ teaspoon of lemon juice and pop it in the fridge for later.
Now for the cocktail, add the purée, Pentire Adrift (alcohol-free gin), lemon juice, simple syrup and ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously till the exterior of the shaker is notably cold. Strain it into a champagne flute and top it up with Thomson & Scott Noughty’s sparkling Chardonnay.
Fruits and meats pair exceptionally well with this new twist on the French classic. Try figs and prosciutto with the Fall 75 for your next dinner party. You can also serve it with classic bar snacks like roasted and spiced nuts, cheese straws and olives.
5. Sober Sangria
Sangria is a year-long favourite for any wine enthusiast. It’s sweet and fruity and pairs well with all occasions, a barbecue or a brunch. And if you want to enjoy an alcohol-free twist to your favourite drink, swap out the regular wine with the Thomson & Scott dealcoholized Noughty Rouge.
Noughty Rouge is a dealcoholized red wine with all the goodness and deliciousness of the drink, sans the hangover and fog brain the next day. Exploring No Alcohol November or trying a new diet? Noughty Rouge has your back, with only 14 calories per glass.
Ingredients:
- 120 ml of alcohol-free red wine
- Chopped fruits (apples, tangerines, blood oranges, strawberries and peaches)
- Fresh citrus slices (optional)
Method:
Add the chopped fruits to a pitcher or a jug and pour the alcohol-free Noughty Rouge. You can muddle the fruits gently to release the juices and get the flavour flowing. Pop it in the fridge for at least an hour before serving chilled to your guests. For the best infusion, we suggest infusing it for at least 3 to 4 hours. Feel free to add freshly sliced citrus as a garnish if you prefer.
Cheese pairs well with sangria, mainly earthy cheese like blue cheese, stilton, gorgonzola and parmesan. For a delightful pairing, consider serving cured meats, guacamole, and pita with dips. Remember to offset the sweetness of the drink with savoury and salty flavours.
6. Cheeky Rosemary Spritz
The cheeky rosemary spritz offers a warm, autumnal twist to the traditional citrus spritz. Enhance seasonal flavours by incorporating rosemary, blood orange, and apple cider. For a non-alcoholic gathering, replace Aperol and champagne with Pentire Adrift and Wilfred’s Aperitif.
Wilfred’s Aperitif, boasting bitter orange, rosemary, clove and rhubarb notes, serves as an ideal autumnal alcohol-free beverage. Its taste is further enhanced by the addition of rosemary and blood orange. The citric hints from Pentire Adrift contribute to a refreshing touch in this carefully crafted concoction.
Ingredients:
- 25 ml Pentire Adrift
- 50 ml Wilfred’s Aperitif
- 100 ml premium tonic water
- 4 rosemary sprigs
- 60 ml blood orange juice
- 60 ml non-alcoholic Apple cider
Method:
In a cocktail shaker, add the rosemary sprigs, blood orange juice, apple cider, Pentire Adrift and Wilfred’s Aperitif. Muddle the ingredients a little to release the flavours. Add ice to the shaker and shake well for 30 seconds. Once the drink is chilled, pour it into a wine glass, top it with tonic water, and garnish with a sprig of rosemary before serving.
Spinach and ricotta ravioli are an ideal pairing with this drink. The nutty flavour of fresh ricotta cheese pleasantly complements the non-alcoholic drink. Avoid serving anything with strong flavours like Stilton or blue cheese, as they can easily overpower the dish. A passionfruit and peach cheesecake also pair well with this light drink.
7. The Ginger London Mule
Ginger is the ideal autumn spice to add to your drinks or your feeds. Whether it's a gingerbread cookie or a ginger London Mule, its pungent flavour quickly adds a layer of zest to both sweet and savoury flavours. So, this ginger beer-infused cocktail is perfect for the autumn evenings.
Now, the alcohol-free variant of this cocktail is made with Wilfred’s Aperitif which is slightly bitter-sweet in taste. The natural infusion of cloves, rhubarb, bitter oranges and rosemary elevates the autumn flavours.
Ingredients:
- 50 ml Wilfred’s Aperitif
- 100 ml ginger beer
- Fresh lime, lime wedge
- Sliced ginger
Method:
Fill a Collins glass with ice, then pour the aperitif and the ginger beer. Stir gently with a bar spoon and add a squeeze of fresh lime. Garnish with a lime wedge and sliced ginger before serving.
The zesty ginger beer pairs beautifully with light coconut macaroons or a pina colada cheesecake. These airy desserts match this autumn-inspired drink without fault. For a savoury option, consider pairing it with a mozzarella, tomato, and basil salad or lemon garlic butter scallops – both excellent choices to balance the drink's flavours.
8. Orange Rum Sour
The orange rum sour is an ideal autumn drink. Unlike Daiquiri, it uses dark, spiced, and amber rum, lime and oranges. The tart and sweet flavours of the blood orange create an impeccable concoction for cold autumn nights.
You can use the bittersweet Wilfred’s Aperitif or the complex and herbaceous Feragaia Scottish alcohol-free spirit for this drink. The sweetness of the fruits balances the warm and slightly bitter tones of these drinks well.
Ingredient:
- 75 ml Wilfred’s Aperitif or Feragaia
- 25 ml freshly squeezed lime juice
- 25 ml freshly squeezed blood orange
- 25 ml Aquafaba (egg white alternative)
Method:
To a cocktail shaker, add the alcohol-free beverage, lime and blood orange juice, Aquafaba or egg whites and ice. Shake the drink till it becomes frothy and chilled. Strain into a glass and garnish with a fresh blood orange.
Move away from classic bar snacks and serve soul-warming foods like paella and fajitas with this drink. Finish the meal off with a sticky ginger pudding or the classic fall favourite, gingerbread cookies.
9. Non-alcoholic Rose Mint Mojito
When you think of autumnal drinks, mojito is the last thing on your mind. Even if it's a favourite, you'd think twice before whipping it up. Hence, we made it a little fall-friendly.
Celebrate No Alcohol November and explore the sober-curious lifestyle with a rose mint mojito. For that extra warmth, add a touch of honey and apple cider to your favourite drink.
Ingredients:
- 125 ml Sparkling Rosé
- 1 Lime
- 1 Sprig of mint leave
- 20 ml honey
Method:
Muddle the lime wedges and mint leaves in a tall glass. Pour the sparkling rosé and honey into the glass. For an added autumnal kick, you can also add apple cider to this drink. Now, fill the glass to the top with crushed ice and gently stir with a bar spoon. Garnish with a lime wheel or a mint sprig, and serve!
When enjoying an apple cider mojito, consider serving grilled dishes such as chicken, pork ribs, and veggies. Fresh salads like watermelon and feta can also nicely complement the warm notes of the apple cider. For a rose mint mojito, charred pineapples seasoned with chilli and lemon make for an excellent and flavourful pairing.
10. Spiced Negroni Sbagliato
A ‘Negroni Sbagliato with Prosecco in it’ is TikTok’s favourite drink in 2023. It is chosen by the ‘true heir to the (iron) throne’. If you're gearing up for a House of the Dragon marathon with your closest allies, why not pledge your allegiance to the queen with a spiced negroni?
But we understand, unlike the queen, you have a job to get to the next day, and a hangover isn’t the ideal partner to wake up with. So, replace the prosecco with alcohol-free aperitif and sparkling wine, and you’re all set to conquer the day.
Ingredients:
- 50 ml Pentire Coastal Spritz
- 20 ml cinnamon syrup
- 2 dashes of non-alcoholic bitters
- Alcohol-free champagne – we love Thomson & Scott Noughty Sparkling Chardonnay
- Orange Peel & Cinnamon Stick
Method:
In an Old Fashioned glass, add the ingredients slowly and add the sparkling champagne last. Gently stir with a bar spoon to mix the ingredients well. Garnish with an orange peel twist and a cinnamon stick. To enhance the autumnal experience, char the cinnamon stick with a blow torch before serving.
A spiced Negroni Sbagliato is a stylish and premium drink. So, the food pairings should be equally lavish and delicious. For instance, a French ham and pear crostini drizzled with truffle honey will complement its subtle flavours well. Balance the vermouth's richness with a balsamic tomato and ripe peach salad, accompanied by goat’s cheese for a delightful contrast.
Cheers to A Sober Autumn with VE Refinery
Whether you’re bored with the same ol’ beverages or exploring mindful drinking, No Alcohol November is the perfect time to try non-alcoholic drinks and cocktails. Savour the intricate flavours of a virgin mulled wine, apple cider mimosa, or a blood orange sour. Infuse the taste of autumn with your favourite autumn non-alcoholic drinks, just minus the booze.
If you're looking for stylish and premium non-alcoholic drinks for these exciting concoctions, just head on over to VE Refinery and explore their diverse selection. To arrange special mixology classes and other events, reach out to them here.