The Bite Magazine - Spring/Summer 2021 - Issue 29

bitedrinks that offers a comparable and enjoyable experience to real spirits. It’s an ideal drink to have when you want to clean up or decrease your alcohol intake. Whether it’s in January when abstinence is promoted or throughout the year, CleanCo aims to “make the path from people who drink alcohol to people who drink ‘clean’ as easy and straightforward as possible.” Dry January could easily be called Clean January from now on, thanks to the brand’s selection of flavourful, healthy replacements to some of the nation’s favourite tipples, which CEO Spencer Matthews says, “Taste every bit as delicious and satisfying as the real deal.” CleanCo first entered the market with CleanGin; a 1.2% ABV take on London Dry Gin with crispy juniper bal- anced with aromatic botanicals that are carefully sourced and blended to their secret recipe and distilled. “The re- sulting distillate is mixed with other ingredients to create the finished low alcohol spirit. As high levels of botanicals are used, CleanGin has a naturally cloudy appearance.” CleanCo suggests the perfect pour of 50 ml over ice and 150 ml of a light tonic with lemon and fresh mint leaves to garnish. The smell and citrus taste of lemon and grapefruit with the earthy quality of Angelica and orris and the herbaceous complexity of coriander and cinnamon certainly gives it a zingy, lively mouthfeel that’s medium-bodied with bal- anced bitterness. Although there is very low alcohol, it was pleasant tasting this gin alternative. I found that it worked well with lemonade or a sparkling lemon drink. Even on its own, the taste is refreshing and enjoyable. As the brand says, “it’s not a gin equivalent; it’s the gin equivalent.” CleanCo also offers CleanVodka Spiced Apple, an expertly crafted non-alcoholic take on warming spiced apple vod- ka, which is uplifting and crisp with a touch of cinnamon. It has aromatic hints of green apple and cinnamon spice to set the scene for a perfectly balanced blend of fresh and lively flavours, with a classic warm alcohol-like sensation to finish. “All this delivered hangover-free in a rather hand- some frosted white bottle that’ll add some refined glamour to your drinks trolley.” The 70 cl non-alcohol (less than 0.5% ABV) bottle contains 15 calories per 50 ml serving. It has no sugar or sweeteners added, both lactose and gluten-free and suitable for ve- gans with less chance of having a hangover after consump- tion. To enjoy the perfect serve, pour 50 ml of CleanVod- ka Spiced Apple over ice with soda and a wedge of lime. When not using, store the bottle in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and do not freeze. For rum lovers, the 1.2% ABV CleanRum is a take on spiced Caribbean rumwith warming spice, golden caramel and cayenne pepper. Inspired by the great flavoured Jamai- can rum, it is mixed with a secretly guarded blend of spices and other ingredients to create a boldly flavoured distillate. It contains 16 calories per 50 ml serving with no sugar and sweeteners. CleanRum is also lactose and gluten-free and suitable for vegans. Pour 50 ml over ice and top with cola or ginger ale and a wedge of fresh lime. To add unique flavour to the mix, CleanGin Rhubarb is the brand's pretty-in-pink hangover-free hero bursting with London Dry Gin's fruity aroma, rhubarb, and red berries with a subtle hint of coriander, mint and cinnamon. The drink is prepared by CleanCo’s master distiller in small copper pot gin stills and infused with fruit and botanical flavour to create a low alcohol pink gin. To enjoy, pour 50 ml over ice, top with 150 ml of tonic and garnish with a lime wedge and fresh raspberry. If you want a ready-mixed drink, the 0.5% ABV CleanGin & Tonic and CleanRum & Cola are available in 12 packs. With 57 and 62 calories per can respectively, the Gin & Tonic is the perfect picnic partner and combines fragrant and juniper-packed CleanGin with balanced and refresh- ing tonic water. Simultaneously, the Rum & Cola mix the sweet caramel notes and cayenne pepper spice of Clean- Rum with delicious cola. It’s the ideal drink to have on the beach or anywhere of your choice. CleanGin and CleanRum can be used to make exciting cocktails such as Clean Cobbler with 50 ml of CleanGin, 15 ml of elderflower cordial, three lemon wedges, six mint leaves, a cucumber slice and soda. Squeeze the lemon wedges into a wine glass, slap the mint leaves and add to the cucumber. Mix in the elderflower cordial, CleanGin, ice and churn. Top with soda and churn once more before garnishing with fresh mint leaves and a lemon wedge. To make Clean Club, add ingredients of 50 ml CleanGin, 15 ml lemon juice and honey syrup, 2.5 ml of orange blos- som water and four raspberries into a shaker. Wet shake with ice, single strain, and then dry shake without ice. Strain into a rocks glass over ice cubes, garnish and serve. Clean Figgette is created using 50 ml of CleanGin, 35 ml of water and fig syrup, and 5 ml of lemon juice. Put all the in- gredients into a wine glass with ice cubes and dilute to taste with water. Add juniper berries and lemon slice to garnish. Create Clean Cuba Libre with 50 ml of CleanRum, 150 ml of premium cola and lime wedges. Fill a highball glass with ice, pour in the CleanRum and top with cola. Squeeze the juice of one lime wedge and add another fresh lime wedge to garnish. With a fantastic orange colour, Clean Dark & Stormy contains 50 ml of CleanRum, 150 ml of ginger ale and a blood orange segment to garnish. Fill a tall glass with ice, pour in the CleanRum and top up with ginger ale, and then add the garnish. CleanCo drinks are available online and at Sainsbury’s, Holland & Barrett and Dunnes Stores of Ireland. The brand plans to roll out with key partners to hotels, bars, and nightclubs shortly. https://clean.co