Ritual Gin Non Alc

Ritual Gin Non Alc, from Esplanda, is a non-alcoholic gin alternative. The listing gives no botanical list, so treat the following as what the style usually delivers. Alcohol-free gins are built around juniper, usually with citrus peel and a few aromatic or spice botanicals. Expect a dry, resinous, pine-like top note, a bright zest edge, and a lighter body than a distilled gin. Without alcohol there is less warmth on the finish, so the flavor tends to sit in the aroma and mid-palate, and it works best when the drink is cold and well diluted. The Gin & Tonic is the most direct use. Fill a balloon glass or tall highball to the top with large, clear ice, since small cubes melt fast and flatten a low-proof build. Pour a measure of Ritual over the ice and add a dry, crisply carbonated tonic at roughly two to three parts to one. Choose a lightly sweetened or slim tonic, because sugary mixers can cover the juniper in a spirit with no alcohol behind it. A wide strip of grapefruit or lemon peel, twisted over the glass to release its oils, suits a juniper-led profile. A sprig of rosemary or thyme also pairs well with the pine notes. A Tom Collins is a natural second. Shake the gin with fresh lemon juice and a little simple syrup, strain over ice into a tall glass, and top with soda water. Add a lemon wheel. The acidity and fizz carry the botanicals well and make up for the lighter body. For a Negroni-style drink, pair Ritual with a non-alcoholic bitter aperitif and a non-alcoholic sweet vermouth substitute in equal parts. Stir over ice in a rocks glass and finish with an orange peel. The gin supplies the juniper backbone, but the bitter component sets the character of the result. For a Martini-style serve, chill the glass in the freezer, stir the gin with ice and a small amount of dry vermouth alternative or a splash of brine, and strain it. Garnish with a lemon twist or an olive. Because there is no alcohol to give the drink weight, keep the dilution modest and serve it very cold. For simple food pairings, the clean citrus-and-juniper profile works with smoked salmon, oysters, salty olives and nuts, and soft fresh cheeses.