HELENE RAVLICH: TOP OF THE WINTER TIPPLES

WINTER TIPPLES HELENE RAVLICH: TOP OF THE WINTER TIPPLES

With the cooler weather most definitely making its presence known, now is the perfect time to settle in at home with a glass – or bottle – of your favourite winter tipple close at hand.

And whether you’re out for dinner, binge-watching ‘Stranger Things’ on the couch, or entertaining a crowd, there are a plethora of delicious winter-friendly beverages available to suit any taste, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

I always associate the cooler months with a warming, smooth red wine, and they don’t come much better than Dancing Water Pinot Noir 2019. Deeply coloured for a pinot noir and looking seriously beautiful in a glass, the premium offering from the boutique winery is a mid-weight wine with lifted fruit and a lovely balance. Its brightness and freshness means that this wine is immediately appealing and very easy to drink with or without a meal, but for those with more patience than I, it will also age magnificently in the cellar.

Pinot lovers who have the strength and willpower to lock this wine away for a number of years will be rewarded with the aforementioned freshness and brightness further complexed by sous bois notes, and an even greater intensity and length. In summary: delicious now, likely to be even more delicious in the future.

For non-alcoholic indulgence, Lyre’s is the tipple of choice for an increasing number of locals after it landed in the country last year and blew the socks off even the most dedicated of spirits drinkers. Lyre’s range of 18 non-alcoholic spirit variants are designed to create 99 percent of the world’s cocktails, meaning you don’t need to sacrifice premium taste or the social drinking occasion when you choose to go dry.

Dancing Water Pinot Noir

From a classic Dry London to Agave and even an Absinthe equivalent, Lyre’s gives bartenders and those playing mixologist at home the liquids to create their favourite drinks, sans alcohol. Five ready-to-drink beverages are also available as a convenient option, as well as Classico, which pays homage to Prosecco and was a big favourite over summer.

Mark Livings and Carl Hartmann, Lyre's

This year Lyre’s is also a 2022 Dry July campaign partner. The annual Dry July campaign challenges Kiwis to go alcoholfree for the month of July to raise funds for New Zealanders affected by cancer. The funds raised by participants of Dry July 2022 will help Look Good Feel Better NZ, PINC & STEEL NZ, and Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand improve the comfort, care and wellbeing of people affected by cancer.

Throughout the month of July, 10 percent of all sales from the Lyre’s website will be donated to Dry July NZ Trust, and they are also supporting the cause with additional activity, events and inspiration across the month to encourage greater participation from their very loyal customer base.

The Lyre’s New Zealand team is also participating in Dry July to support the cause. "We started Lyre's with a bold mission: to change the way the world drinks,” says Co-Founder and CEO of Lyre’s, Mark Livings. “Our growing, global success has shown that there's incredible demand for premium nonalcoholic drinks. We believe it is part of our role to educate and showcase the wide range of options available, whether they are moderating, taking a break, or stopping consuming alcohol entirely. If you’re considering giving up alcohol or just moderating your consumption, Lyre’s just may be the solution for you.”

When it comes to asking local hospo favourites what they’re drinking over the winter months, my first port of call was chef and restaurateur Nic Watt, whose Nikkei-style restaurant Inca has delighted diners with its fresh dishes and fabulous flavours since opening in Ponsonby Central earlier this year.

I’m also a huge fan of his city centre restaurant MASU by Nic Watt, a Japanese robata restaurant and bar located in the Federal Street precinct that has been home to some of my most memorable dining experiences. Watt tells me: “at home I’m drinking a classic Negroni, and the cupboard above my oven has all of the ingredients to make my favourite winter drink at home - gin, Campari and vermouth. I put an extra dash of Campari in, which is the business”. He adds that at INCA Ponsonby, “we have a beautiful Negroni on the menu, it’s called Yes Sir and it’s next level delicious.” Made with vermouth, Campari and mezcal, it’s a beautifully smoky version of the legendary drink, and perfect for cooler evenings in the Ponsonby Central lane. Consider that added to the list!

Johnny Leung - Archie Cafe, photography Tez Mercer

It comes as no surprise at all that award winning barista – and owner of Archie Café - Johnny Leung’s favourite winter drink is “the same as my summer drink - coffee!” The always affable Leung likes to start with an espresso. “After this I immediately go for a flat white. It’s my morning routine as soon as I arrive at Archie’s. It also means a quality check is done each morning, ensuring our team serve quality coffee for the Ponsonby community.” I recommend Archie’s epic toast offering as the perfect accompaniment to what must be some of the best coffee on the strip; once you’ve tried it you’ll most definitely be hooked. Auckland restaurateur Chand Sahrawat is the co-owner of Cassia and Sid at the French Café alongside her husband, Sid, and also opts for a non-alcoholic winter drink of choice that sounds absolutely intriguing. “I am drinking this really lovely Butterfly Blue Pea Tea from The Tea Thief,” says the inspirational New Zealand hospitality figure, “which is an organic butterfly blue pea flower, ginger and lavender tea. It’s my evening ritual when I get home or to curb the sweet cravings after dinner.” She adds: “I’m also drinking a Wild Delicious water kefir (raspberry lemon ginger) in the mornings. And the kids and I love Good Sh*t Citrus any time of the day and in any season!”

Lastly, for those looking for a real winter warmer, I love the sound of the latest release from Honest, which features pinot noir, cherries, orange peel and rum – a combination guaranteed to warm even the coldest of hearts.

Called Cinco Sangria Rum, it is a small batch collaboration between Honest and natural wine brand Unkel, the result being a medium-bodied rum with aromas of orange peel and apple, partnered by big bursts of flavour from cherries and oranges, finished lightly with a hint of dark chocolate. It is the perfect base for a jug of Sangria, but equally, the delightful-sounding drink will also most definitely warm the soul when being sipped on its own.

A run of only 500 bottles, it is available exclusively online at drinkhonest.co.nz. (HELENE RAVLICH)  PN

Chand Sahrawat, photography Josh Griggs