DESIGNATED DRINKING

By Jacqui Chaisson

Sales of low and alcohol-free beverages are growing and so is the innovative range of beverages from local craft producers. Alcohol-free alternatives are emerging as this decade’s healthy-living products of choice. The rising trend to choose low or alcohol-free beverage increases as people are adopting a healthier lifestyle. Covid-19 and the lockdowns played a big part as well. People changed their habits and lifestyle – from working at home to workouts at home – the pub was no longer an option and we realized the benefits alcohol-free drinks deliver.

Carefully crafted, often experimental, and designed to give your taste buds a thrilling workout, alcohol-free drinks are usually small batch genius drinks. Non-alcoholic drinks aren’t bland or lacking in flavour anymore; you can expect everything from soft, gentle drinks to big, punchy flavours that will have your taste buds standing to attention.

These are our favourite low and alcoholfree bevvies that are sure to satisfy your palate.

ZERO

Blonde Style Ale - 0% ABV www.bogsidebrewing.com

A refreshing and satisfying beverage that captures the essence of a crisp, clean, classic blonde-style ale while eliminating the alcohol content. It offers the same delightful taste and mouth-feel as a traditional blonde beer, but without the effects of alcohol. With its carefully crafted recipe, this Blonde Ale allows you to enjoy a light and flavourful experience.

NOBLE

Blonde Ale - 0.7% ABV www.loneoakbrew.com

Hopped with Simcoe and Columbus, Noble is ultra-light without compromising flavour. This 0.7% Pale Ale is dry and refreshing with notes of melon and field berries on the front followed by a lasting dose of citrus on the finish.

SOBRII

Distilled Spirits - O% ABV, O Calories, 0% Sugar

Canada’s finest distilled non-alcoholic spirits made with all natural botanicals and extracts. Choose gin or tequila. Available at Kent Street Market, Charlottetown

CEDER’S

Distilled Spirits- O% ABV, O Calories, 0% Sugar

Meticulously harvested and distilled flavours are blended together to create the four distinct flavour profiles of the range. Classic, Crisp, Rose and Wild are four successful combinations. They each have a very distinct personality and are full of flavour!

Available at Kent Street Market, Charlottetown

Piquette Zero

Wine alternative - 0% ABV, 0 Sugar www.benjaminbridge.com

Vegan-friendly and gluten-free Piquette Zero is a lively and delicious alcohol-free wine alternative that offers a creative and unprecedented craft option to industrially dealcoholized wines often stripped of their character. Not identical to wine, this new sensory experience is to be discovered for its own unique deliciousness. Piquette Zero is available in PEI at Sobeys, Superstore and PEILCC, or order direct via the website.

LIBRA

Lime Lager - 0.4% ABV www.upstreet.ca

New for 2023, a low-calorie, lowalcoholic craft beer that fits your life – not the other way around. Recharge with this refreshing and zesty lime lager infused with a hint of sea salt.