FOOD & DRINK • NOTES
DRINKS CABINET
Botanical spirits we’re enjoying this month B y N ATA S H A PAT E L
REVIEW
CRISP AND DRY
Shaman
Absolutely explores the trend for no-alcohol bars
G I N N O. 3 From Berry Bros & Rudd comes Gin No.3, a blend of juniper, citrus and spice celebrating traditional dry gin. Named the world’s best gin three times as well as winning the Supreme Champion Spirit award, the perfect balance of the three flavours took over two months to perfect and is the product of extensive research by Master Distillers and mixologists.
£35 for 700ml; no3gin.com
TASTE OF THE EAST ST R A N G E R & S O N S Stranger & Sons is the brainchild of three gin-lovers who wanted to put their home country on the distilling map. The result is a spiced Indian gin with an earthy, sweet aftertaste with ingredients grown and picked from the fertile farmlands of Goa and Kerala.
£34.95 for 70cl; strangerandsons.com
GIVING BACK CA N A Ï M A G I N
Canaïma Gin is an ethically-sourced gin that gives back to the local community who helped make it. The small batch spirit is made up of 19 botanicals, ten of which are sourced from the Amazon, to result in a uniquely crafted gin with a sweeter flavour with notes of açai berry, grapefruit, orange and passion fruit.
£37.50 for 70cl; canaimagin.com
By ABBIE SCHOFIELD
E
nvision after-work drinks in the city and a dimly lit, boozy bar probably springs to mind. But new no-alcohol bar Shaman is disrupting London nightlife by only serving no or low-ABV drinks. Located within the Leman Locke hotel in Aldgate, Shaman aims to appeal to the one quarter of 16-24 year olds in the UK that classify themselves as non-drinkers. But giving up on alcohol doesn’t mean giving up on socialising, and Shaman provides a bright, stylish space to meet friends or colleagues - and avoiding a dreaded hangover. Alongside low-ABV spirits and beers, tee-total experiences have also been growing in popularity. Redemption Bar in Seven Dials market was one of the first of its kind to serve booze-free cocktails and Peckham restaurant Near & Far recently launched a dry bottomless brunch which swaps prosecco for non-alcoholic cocktails. Shaman's drinks menu focuses on healthy juices with recipes speciallydesigned to support wellbeing. For example, the ‘Skin Glow’ with apple, carrot and lemon is full of vitamins and metabolism-boosting ginger, whilst ‘Beat the Bloat’ contains activated charcoal which binds to toxins, forcing them to exit the body. Whether you’re a fan of gin or juice, it’s clear that Shaman are part of a growing sober movement set to last far beyond Dry January. SHAMAN 15-17 Leman Street, E1 8EN;
shaman-coffee.com
A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N
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