Description

Altina have a vision to make sophisticated, beautiful and flavour forward drinks accessible to everyone. These are individually crafted, ready to drink cocktails that don’t mimic an alcoholic product.

Light Me Up features flavours of Apple, Forestberry, and Wattleseed. You get sweetness from the apple but also a dry finish from the green tea. There is also a nice little warming burn thanks to a sprinkling of cayenne pepper extract. Whilst the complexity is there and you do get a nice full palette of flavours; it’s a little too sweet for me and I prefer La Vie En Rose of the two Altina offerings.

I do prefer Light Me up over the TÖST. They are quite similar in terms of flavour profiles, but I find TÖST more sickly sweet than the Altina. Again the thing that’s missing for me is the balance of some acidity, but I really do have a high threshold for sour!

This would be a nice picnic offering and balanced by some bitey cheese or something nice and savoury.

Rating: 7/10

Buy Again?: No, but only because I prefer La Vie En Rose

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Description

NON is so Melbourne. Am I right? This non-alcoholic alternative doesn’t seek to replicate wine, but it does have the same nuances of a quality wine; with floral, tannin, salinity & acidity used to create an unique and adult drinking experience. The quality of these products is such that they are on wine lists in fine dining establishments across the country in place of non-alcoholic wine.

These are also much-o safe-o for those who may be triggered by alcohol replications. These guys pride themselves on using the best of the best local ingredients. Featuring Yuzu, Orange, Cinnamon, Murray River Salt, Organic Cane Sugar, Verjus & Filtered Water you would drink this in place of an aperitif (thanks to the citrus vibes) either over ice or in a spritz. Pair it beautifully with a scrummy antipasti. The beautiful caramelised orange and yuzu is perfectly balanced by the hint of Murray River salt and rounded out by the warming cinnamon. Is it a juice Amy? Nooooo, it is so much more than that. It is adult, balanced and oh so sophisticated.

I find this to be REALLY moreish. I could easily disappear a bottle, the only thing stopping me would be the amount of sugar that would add up to. This is vegan certified, gluten free and Halal.

Rating: 9/10

Buy Again?: Yes

This review that links to an online retailer may pay me affiliate commissions. If you purchase I collect a small commission (at no cost to you!) and it really helps me offset some of the cost of running Dry but Wet.

Description

NON is so Melbourne. Am I right? This non-alc alternative doesn’t seek to replicate wine, but it does have the same nuances of a quality wine; with floral, tannin, salinity & acidity used to create an unique and adult drinking experience. The quality of these products is such that they are on wine lists in fine dining establishments across the country in place of non-alcoholic wine.

I’m starting at the start, with NON 1, which I believe is the most accessible and popular of the 7 bottle range. Ingredients listed: Whole Raspberries, Chamomile, Murray River Salt, Organic Cane Sugar, Verjus. And boy can you taste all those elements. The salt balances out and pushes forward the beautiful raspberry profile, it’s truly the star of the show. The chamomile gives you a tannic and slightly floral finish. This is medium sparkling which gives it plenty of body.

I have taken this to a garden party and worked my way through it very easily. It could equally be a really nice aperitif, pairing beautifully with cured meat and cheeses.

Although it has a bottle cap and not a screw on bottle top, I kept this in the fridge overnight with a champagne stopper in it to no detriment whatsoever.

If you’re looking for a wine alternative to enjoy with your fancy pants on, this is a great place to start!

Rating: 8/10

Buy Again?: Yes

This review that links to an online retailer may pay me affiliate commissions. If you purchase I collect a small commission (at no cost to you!) and it really helps me offset some of the cost of running Dry but Wet.

Description

Description

A subtle, nicely fizzy drop with Davidson Plum, Riberry and Strawberry Gum. The Strawberry is the most notable here.

I’m a slap you in the face citrus girl so I pimped mine with half a lime. Summery, soft and refreshing! This is a beautifully crafted and insanely refreshing drink to enjoy anytime. No sugar or cals, it’s an adult drink to enjoy when you’re not feeling like a wine, and definitely not feeling like a coke.

Rating: 8/10

For AU – Use DRY15 at checkout for 15% off your order.
(a nice way to offset your shipping).

Description

Like NON, TÖST has been created by a team of beverage and culinary experts with a goal of everyone celebrating special moments positively and inclusively. Created to give you an adult and satisfying non-alcoholic drinking experience.

BE CAREFUL WHEN YOU ARE OPENING A BOTTLE! This baby has some serious fizz!

Made with white tea, cranberry and ginger, what you get is a light bodied, refreshing drink that is reminiscent of a sparkling cordial. A fancy cordial. Although the sugar content is not overly high, this one is a little on the sweet side for me. I could enjoy a glass, but without the balance of any acidity, I couldn’t push on to drink a whole bottle (yes that is my measuring stick, liquid pig). I am not getting any of the ginger mentioned which is a shame as I think this could do with the little heat the ginger brings. You do get a little bit of that dry tannic mouthfeel (from the tea) that keeps you going back for more, but after a glass I feel in need of a big slug of water as a palette cleanser.

If you like your drinks on the soft/sweeter side I think this would be really enjoyable and I think it would work best accompanied by a savoury grazing platter with some decent blue cheese.

Rating: 7/10

Buy Again?: No, a little on the sweet side for me.

This review that links to an online retailer may pay me affiliate commissions. If you purchase I collect a small commission (at no cost to you!) and it really helps me offset some of the cost of running Dry but Wet.

Description

Let me get this out of the way first. To me, this is not a cocktail. I was quite shocked on first pour and taste because I was expecting a big intense flavour hit and got something very different. It pours like a sparkling water but tastes like much more. So just wanted to put that out there first and foremost.

There are four flavours in the New Zealand made “cocktail” line. Vanilla & Elderflower, Lemon Myrtle Lime & Black Tea, Ginger Green Tea, Honey, Mint & Lemon and my pick of the bunch, Grapefruit Cucumber & Mint. Whilst I was expecting ‘smack in the face’ grapefruit, what you get instead is a pleasant but subtle blend of grapefruit, cucumber mint and little hint of something warming. I’d go as far as to say the cucumber leads here. A delightfully refreshing, adult sparkling water. If you love ETCH, then the Finery range will be right up your alley.

Every drink in the range is a super unique blend of flavours that, if you know what you are going to get, I am sure you will enjoy.

The range is sugar free, gluten free, all natural flavours and no preservatives.

Rating: 7/10

Buy Again?: Yes

This review that links to an online retailer may pay me affiliate commissions. If you purchase I collect a small commission (at no cost to you!) and it really helps me offset some of the cost of running Dry but Wet.