A Dram of Sustainable Peat-Free Whisky
Whisky is one of the world’s most popular spirits, but most brands use peat, and its use is causing the removal of peat bogs, that are home to endangered butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies. Peat removal also causes floods.
Nc’nean Organic Malt Whisky (Scotland) is the first malt whisky to be made without peat. Featuring notes of citrus, peach, apricot and spice – it’s perfect for drinking neat, on the rocks or in cocktails.
Carefully crafted from Scottish barley, this whisky is matured in red wine and American whisky barrels, and sold in a recycled glass bottle.
If serving with tonic water, know that quinine should be avoided for certain medical conditions (and pregnancy/nursing, but hopefully you’re not drinking whisky anyway).
The founder of this brand spent four years building a distillery on Scotland’s west coast, which is powered by clean energy. You can even pop the biodegradable temper in your compost bin.
The waste pot ale is spread on local farms as a fertiliser, and leftover barley offers a tasty meal for local cows.
Quiet Rebels is by the same whisky brand, a seasonal treat of spiced plum jam, candied orange peel and vegan crème brûlée.
Also try this brand’s organic botanical spirit (made from organic barley, it’s a floral boozy tipple made with locally foraged juniper, coriander, bog myrtle, liquorice, thyme, sorrel and heather).
Feragaia is an artisan no-alcohol spirit from Scotland, made with 14 sea and land botanicals including blackcurrant leaf, lemon verbena, sugar kelp and pink peppercorn. Serve neat over ice with a slice of orange peel, or with your favourite mixer. Everything is locally and sustainably-sourced.
If pregnancy/nursing, avoid mixing with tonic water (or for certain medical conditions) due to quinine. Use soda water instead.
Almost half of people in England now opt for alcohol-free alternatives.
You can use this drink to make homemade no-alcohol Margaritas. Just mix with pineapple, lime, agave syrup and optional jalapeno, shake and double strain, and serve with fresh lime or jalapenos.
The bottle is made from partly recycled glass, and the cap from easily recycled biodegradable plastic.
Talonmore (use code englandnaturally for 5% discount) is a delicious ginger cinnamon warming drink inspired by historic Edinburgh. It’s alcohol-free, so ideal to cut back on the booze.
Due to caffeine and high levels of ginger, this drink is not for pregnancy/nursing. Also avoid tonic water (and for certain medical conditions) as a mixer, due to quinine (use soda water instead).
This family business blends Assam tea with ginger, prickly pear and hawthorn berry, for a fiery taste that replicates the ‘pleasant burn’ of alcohol, but without the alcohol. Designed to replicate whisky or rum, all packaging is easy to recycle.
Brewed with Scottish water, it also contains notes of cactus juice, with fig and watermelon flavours. Once open, keep chilled (for up to 4 months). Serve neat or on the rocks, or serve warm on cold winter nights. 28 servings per bottle.
Almost half of people in England now opt for alcohol-free alternatives. Talonmore was voted the best no-alcohol spirit in blind taste tests by Good Housekeeping and Men’s Health.
Talonmore’s Hot Toddy Recipe
For a Hot Toddy, just combine 50ml of Talonmore with 150ml of hot water, 25ml each of lemon juice and agave syrup. Then serve with a lemon wheel and cinnamon stick.
