Non-alcoholic drinks may be booming. But not all of them are brilliant.
If you’re a regular zero-percenter, you’ve probably done plenty of shopping around to find a good drop.
Inevitably once you’ve found a keeper, your local pub or shop stops selling it, and you’re forced to go on the hunt again.
It’s fair to say Portugal, the home of poncha, isn’t the first place you think of when it comes to zero-alcohol beverages. But we do know a thing or two about producing delicious drinks.
If you’re still looking for your go-to non-alcoholic drink, here are five we think are worth importing.
Super Bock Twin 0.0
Super Bock is one of Portugal’s most famous beers (along with Sagres). If you’ve ever been to one of Jersey’s excellent Portuguese & Madeiran food restaurants, you’ve no doubt experienced the refreshing taste of a Bock.
Like many of the top international breweries, Super Bock spotted the non-alcoholic trend a while back and have poured plenty of time and resources into refining a product that maintains the refreshing characteristics of the original beer, just sem alcool (without alcohol).
It’s a solid alternative to all the other non-alcoholic lagers, at a pretty competitive price point.
Super Bock Twin 0.0 Six Pack - £5.99
Super Bock Twin 0.0 24 Bottles - £22.99
Super Bock Dark Sem Alcool
Much like Jersey, dark beers (stout in particular) are having a day in the sunshine in Portugal. Super Bock and Madeiran brewers Coral have both reported significant increases in sales of their stouts.
In the last couple of years, Super Bock have tweaked their famous stout recipe to produce Super Bock Dark Sem Alcool, a full-bodied and flavoursome beer that produces a thick head even without the alcohol.
If you’re into Guinness 0.0, give the Super Bock Dark Sem Alcool a go too.
Super Bock Dark Sem Alcool Six Pack - £5.99
Super Bock Dark Sem Alcool 24 Bottles - £22.99
0%riginal non-alcoholic wines
0%riginal is a range of non-alcoholic wines by famed Portuguese wine producer José Maria da Fonseca.
The red, white and rosé are all made with grapes from the Lisbon region Renowned for their light and zesty flavours, each blend is well suited to having the alcohol removed, whilst remaining refreshing and palatable.
My favourite is the rosé, served over a few ice cubes on a warm spring day. Perfeito!
Maltin Polar Beer
Maltin Polar is technically a malt beverage rather than a beer, but the two share such similar characteristics they’re often cross promoted like we’re doing now.
What I can promise is these little non-alcoholic beverages provide a unique drinking experience. Made with 100% cane sugar, Maltin is often enjoyed by those who need a little boost at a party whilst the rest of the guests get going on more traditional drinks.
Maltin Polar Beer Six Pack - £9.74
Mocktail Mixer - Xarope Groselha
Xarope Groselha is a sweet non-alcoholic liquor with a redcurrant flavour. Perfect for making sweet and summer mocktails like the Divino favourite, non-alcoholic Shirley Temple.
Combine a generous pour of Xarope Groselha with a small can of ginger ale over ice cubes. Finish with a cherry on top, and the weekend off from the boss!
Xarope Groselha 1 litre bottle - £5.99
Free of alcohol and free delivery
If any of these drinks sound like they could be your next non-alcoholic favourite, remember island-wide delivery is free on all orders over £30.
Tchau, Luis