Booze-Free Brilliance at Soda Club
It’s Sober October! And after indulging in a long summer of boozy lunches, sundowner cocktails, after dinner cocktails and gallons of rose in between, my liver has been crying to be left in peace.
Granted, I had a lot of fun, but I am now starting to wonder if slowing down or even – whisper it – laying off alcohol altogether might not be the worst idea in the world.
On one hand, yes, I am sick of waking up in a hazy world of woe, but cocktails hold a special place in my heart, so I wanted to know if the alternatives available are worth the sacrifice.
And a trip down to Club Soda in Covent Garden challenged all my expectations of alcohol-free drinks.
For a start, it looks like a very funky bar tucked away behind a super cool hipster off licence – but look a bit closer and you notice that all the spirits, beer, wine and even champagne displayed on the shelves are low or zero alcohol. And there is a staggeringly huge selection to choose from.
The quirky cocktail menu which urges you to drink more mindfully has been cleverly crafted by master mixologist Noah Villeneuve, and it really does showcase of what is possible in a world without booze, when it comes to mixing, balance and flavour.
In the tasting room, all the drinks have absolutely brilliant song-based names like Life On Marzipan, I Just Called To Say I Love Brew and Things Can Only Get Bitter (genius, right?)
I kicked off with If You Like Pina Coladas (because, frankly, who doesn’t) which uses a rum like liqueur called Caleno Dark & Spicy, blended with pineapple, coconut cream, sea salt and Noughty Sparkling Chardonnay. Yum.
It was so delicious I felt sure the whole thing was an elaborate hoax – no way there was not booze in this. Only one way to catch out these tricky tricksters, I’d have to order another one.
Next up I’ll Bring You Sours In The Pouring Rain (I KNOW!) which mixed Sentia Red and Lyres Italian Spritz with pomegranate molasses and aquafaba – and I swear I could taste alcohol. But no, it was just my addled old brain. We also tried two excellent red wines which tasted exactly like the regular stuff and when I left after several cocktails, I was still making sense (ish) walking in a straight line and best of all I woke up in the morning with a clear head and no fear.
I may not be quite ready to go completely tee-total just yet but it has certainly made me rethink my approach – I have already found myself thinking more carefully about exactly what I am pouring down my throat, and how much of it is strictly necessary.
There are so many interesting and surprising alternatives out there to try – cheers!
