Sober Spirits - Gin 0.0 %
Photo: Oliver Schwarzwald
High marks from France
The announcement that the Pro Wein trade fair would be presenting an entire "World of Zero" this year convinced me to visit the fair. I had already been accredited in 2022, but all the producers were still spread out over many of the 17 halls. At one of the world's biggest wine fairs, that could have been a problem for me (then still fresh in the sobergame). Trigger trouble at an event that offers supervised drinking to perfection. A rendezvous for all wine connoisseurs, and those who think they are, booze experts and other alcohol apologists. Wine and spirits galore, all for free, always a full glass in hand and of course very important chitchat. In the past, I wouldn't even have made it through the first hall without getting plastered. Now in 2023, more than a year without alcohol, I felt save. And to my surprise, it was no problem at all. To me, now an outsider, the excitement about the substance seemed a bit absurd by now.
The World of Zero Area was located right at the beginning of Hall 1. This shows that something is really happening and that alcohol-free products are gaining more and more attention. However, I would have expected all the manufacturers from this segment to be there. But many were only represented by their products in a kind of tasting box. That's a pity, because tasting products without any explanation is sometimes a bit " empty of atmosphere". So the World of Zero was smaller than expected and many 0.0% producers were spread out over the halls as usual. Pierre Zero, for example, was in the France Hall etc.. So I had to struggle my way through.
Chance encounter
Rather by chance, I passed by the stand of Calixte and his Sober Spirits. I had seen Sober Spirits on Instagram before, but lost track of them again. The stand was housed in a dark hall with low ceilings. Witty slogans like "A life without alcohol is ginless" or "Support day drinking" promoted hard liquor. Old world vibes for me. This booze cave was the last place I would have expected to see Sober Spirits. Ok, it's "gin", well when you get right down to it, it's not. But that's another topic.
Claixte, the man behind Sober Spirits, was there in person, explaining and mixing drinks. The process for his products is extremely complex. After the maceration, distillation and gentle dealcoholisation, the drinks are "flavoured" again with individual herbs and essences. It was a great exchange, not least because Calixte is such a friendly and open guy. His products convinced me. In my opinion, there are only few really good non-alcoholic "spirits". The range of dense flavours that also come into their own in tonic is limited. Often it's much ado about nothing, expensive water with some flavour.
The Gin from Sober Spirits, stands out with good aroma density. Lots of juniper, cardamom, rosemary and citrus. Everything as described on the label. The sweetness that I tasted in the pure product is, according to Calixte, decisive, it rounds off in the mix and provides the necessary viscosity that is otherwise only known from alcoholic drinks. Mocktails in particular often lack mouthfeel and fullness. The gin from Sober Spirits can still be tasted in a very tart tonic, making it a real alternative for all juniper fans.
Cheers sober buddies!
Photo: Oliver Schwarzwald
Photo: Oliver Schwarzwald