Description

I have never tried a shiraz gin, I was never a fancy gin person. So I can’t tell you if this tastes like the real deal, the very famous and intensely popular Four Pillars Shiraz Gin.

What I can tell you is this is SO bloody tasty. Really intense, beautifully herbaceous and fragrant in all the right places. You get the the depth from the shiraz, a a little bit of sweetness and then fragrance from juniper and citrus and heat from Tasmanian pepperberry . It’s so delicious and a must try!

Please serve this with a good quality tonic, don’t be schweppesing it up!

Rating: 10/10

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.

Note: This product emulates alcohol and could be triggering so please be careful!

Cals per 100ml	33 cal
Carbs per 100ml	7.9g
Sugar per 100ml	7.7g
Country of Origin	Australia
Price	$49.95

Description

As with most non-alc spirits (excepting Gordon’s) Banks isn’t aiming to directly mimic a gin flavour profile. Its a unique blend of native botanicals distilled naturally in water. The Banks team have headed towards a warmer palette, with strong notes of Cassia giving you a very cinnamon forward flavour and Wattle Seed a slightly bitter, earthy taste. There’s Pepperberry for heat and lemon myrtle and lime for a balancing blend of citrus.

On first try I found the cinnamon profile TOO strong, and I quite love cinnamon. But I’ve found the stronger citrus vibes of a Fentiman’s Pink Grapefruit Tonic are the perfect compliment for the Banks Botanicals blend. That tartness is the perfect balance.

A beautifully unique, refreshing and adult drinking experience that I highly recommend and enjoy!

Rating: 10/10

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.

Note: This product emulates alcohol and could be triggering so please be careful!

Cals per 100ml	0 cal
Carbs per 100ml	0 g
Sugar per 100ml	0 g
Country of Origin	Australia
Price	$49.95

Description

PLEASE ALWAYS USE A QUALITY TONIC WITH YOUR NON-ALCOHOLIC SPIRITS! It makes a LOT of difference. NO Schweppes here please!!

And pour your spirit first, then your mixer, THEN your ice. Otherwise you’re going to dilute that delicate baby spirit, and with no booze, you can’t afford to do that!

Lilly Pilly Pink is the first non-alcoholic spirit offering from Manly Spirits who have been making a range of alcoholic spirits in Sydney’s north since 2015. This is a blend of 12 distilled botanicals including some lovely natives with some additional flavourings and thickeners to give it a bit more volume (I assume).

On the nose you get a beautiful zesty, fruity aroma, with raspberry, blood orange and juniper all featuring. When mixed with a good tonic, the flavours really come alive. There is bitterness from the juniper, dry from the Lilly Pilly and a lovely citrus finish. You get a sweetness but it is subtle and not cloying and really well balanced overall. There is a slight peppery finish there that I do love. Its beautiful, botanical, complex and very moreish!

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.

Note: This product emulates alcohol and could be triggering so please be careful!

Cals per 100ml	3 cal
Carbs per 100ml	5g
Sugar per 100ml	0g
Country of Origin	Australia
Price	$44.95

Description

Sea Drift, based on Sydney’s northern beaches, are the only non-alcoholic spirit I have come across that uses FRESH, locally sourced botanicals and ingredients. That means the still is packed full of fresh basil, juniper, kelp, lemongrass and other herbs and the major ingredient water.

The result? A flavour explosion of epic proportions. Warning, don’t drink this if you do not like basil. The basil notes are very predominant here. I have garnished this with a little lemon to balance that out. Basil is not the only story here though and you get a beautiful range of flavours coming from all of those delicious fresh herbs and botanicals. There’s bitterness from the juniper and sweetness to round it out. Though that is not from any added sugar, this drink is a clean as a whistle.

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.

Note: This product emulates alcohol and could be triggering so please be careful!

Cals per 100ml	0 cal
Carbs per 100ml	0g
Sugar per 100ml	0g
Country of Origin	Australia
Price	$54.95

Description

PLEASE ALWAYS USE A QUALITY TONIC WITH YOUR NON-ALCOHOLIC SPIRITS! It makes a LOT of difference. NO Schweppes here please!!

And pour your spirit first, then your mixer, THEN your ice. Otherwise you’re going to dilute that delicate baby spirit, and with no booze, you can’t afford to do that!

Four Pillars Bandwagon Bloody Shiraz is one of my drinks of the year, so I can only assume their Bandwagon Dry is also an excellent product! My verdict is, I am not AS in love with it as the Shiraz product. That is just so unique.

I get where they are going with this, and I think it has been done well, just the flavour profile isn’t quite for me. The combination of earthy spice and citrus is landing a little heavily on pine for me. There is excellent warmth from a little bit of chilli. I think it could also be a little more forward on the Juniper for a London Dry spirit mimic. I think definitely worth a go, especially if you are a fan of that pine profile.

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.

Note: This product emulates alcohol and could be triggering so please be careful!

Cals per 100ml	3.5 cal
Carbs per 100ml	<0.7g
Sugar per 100ml	0.0g
Country of Origin	Australia
Price	$49.95

Description

This comes with a MASSIVE caveat. That is, I was NO whiskey drinker. I think I had one to many Bourbon and coke cans as a 16 year old and have not been able to stomach it since. I know that Whiskey is something people are passionate about, just like fine wine, and I do not want to disrespect that! Having said that, I think I will be able to give you an idea if this is a good mimic regardless.

I have chosen to mix this today with a dry ginger ale. An homage to my Nan, this was her favourite drink! And what can I say, it is repulsive… So it must be good! This is giving me serious 1997 flashbacks and I didn’t even go for coke! It’s got a warmth to it without a smack you in the face burn. Its smoky, with a little bitter bite. I think if you are looking for a Whiskey substitute then you MUST give this one a good go!

Rating: 9/10

Buy Again?: No, because of above caveat. But if you love Whiskey this is well worth a try!

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.

Note: This product emulates alcohol and could be triggering so please be careful!

Cals per 100ml	14 cal
Carbs per 100ml	<0.8g
Sugar per 100ml	<0.1g
Country of Origin	Australia
Price	$34.95

Description

I was never a big Vodka drinker, when I did it was the interests of being “health conscious” and in both instances where I gave it a real nudge I ended up spewing, once to the point where I burst a blood vessel in my eye.  Gross.

So a non-alc version I can certainly get behind but am not coming at it with the greatest Vodka knowledge. What I do remember is it tasted like booze. This release from Ms Sans is (to my knowledge) the first of it’s kind on the market, with other big producers staying clear of replicating Vodka, I think because it is a tricky proposition!

Today I have tried this as a simple Vodka and Soda to get the most impact flavour-wise. It smells like nothing at all poured neat.

And much like alcoholic vodka, it is hard to put a finger on the flavour to describe it! But it certainly nails it. That slight savoury edge with really good mouth feel. You certainly wouldn’t confuse this for a plain soda and lime. I think it could do with a little more kick, that faux heat that a lot of non-alc brands seem to be bringing in, but that would be my only correction.

If you were feeling fancy you could make a vodka Martini using Lyre’s Apertif Dry. I tried this and despite that tradmark Lyre’s taste, it was actually pretty good! If you have been missing Vodka in your life then this is definitely worth a go!

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.

Note: This product emulates alcohol and could be triggering so please be careful!

Cals per 100ml	14 cal
Carbs per 100ml	0 g
Sugar per 100ml	0 g
Country of Origin	Australia
Price	$34.95

Description

Cocktail maker I am not. Tequila drinker I was, but it’s not something I ever bought and made drinks with at home, it was more a frozen margi with mexican or tequila shots on a loose night out.

So unsure on how to approach this non-alcoholic tequila, I have bought some grapefruit juice and am going to sample it neat as well as shaken with ice and juice. Seems a good approach no?

Poured neat in the glass it smells like fruit punch. Not even a hint of Tequila. To taste it has an overriding bitterness, a little sweetness and a little heat that builds. Still not really giving me Tequila though? Next stop was grapefruit juice, aiming for a Paloma vibe. But the grapefruit totally overpowered the faux tequila. You got a little of the heat but it wasn’t strong enough to hold its own here.

What I had the most success with was soda water and a good squeeze of fresh lime. Akin to a simple margarita spitz style drink, this one does land quite well and is reminiscent of the real deal. A good reminder for me that non-alcoholic spirits sometimes need a little bit of playing with to get the desired effect. Good afterburn too warms right down to the belly.

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.

Note: This product emulates alcohol and could be triggering so please be careful!

Cals per 100ml	14 cal
Carbs per 100ml	1.3g
Sugar per 100ml	0.8g
Country of Origin	Australia
Price	$36.95

Description

I doooooo love a spritz. Before my divorce from alcohol, I was mainlining Aperol like we were going to run out or something. It has been really nice to find good replacements!

Ms Sans brings us an INCREDIBLY low cal, low sugar version, that immediately ticks boxes for me!

I have poured (as suggested on the bottle and according to the traditional recipe) a 30ml pour, topped with an alcohol-free sparkling wine and soda water. Then topped with a slice of orange.

This has a really nice bitter profile, some burnt orange and it isn’t overwhelmingly sweet. It also doesn’t dominate the wine. I do love the Lyres Italian Spritz, but find it tends to overwhelm the wine you mix it with. With this you still get the flavours of the wine coming through and marrying well in the glass.

I know what I’ll be enjoying on the deck this summer!

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.

Note: This product emulates alcohol and could be triggering so please be careful!

Cals per 100ml	3 cal
Carbs per 100ml	<0.5g
Sugar per 100ml	<0.05g
Country of Origin	Australia
Price	$34.95

Description

This did NOT disappoint. Last summer I mainlined Aperol spritz and I could absolutely not tell the difference here.

Works well with a non-alc sparkling wine or also teams nicely with a tonic water. It’s got that magnificent balance of sweet and bitter orange.

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.

For UK – Use DRY5 at checkout for 5% off your order.
(a nice way to offset your shipping).

Note: This product emulates alcohol and could be triggering so please be careful!

Cals per 100ml	83 cal
Carbs per 100ml	20 g
Sugar per 100ml	20 g
Country of Origin	Australia
Price	$44.95

*note these values seem high but a serve is only 30ml

Description

This delightful, Melbourne made distillation is warming with spicy goodness. It brings together aromatic native Australian wattleseed, cassia bark, ginger and sweet citrus. I get a strong clove coming through too which I just love.

On the rocks with a dry tonic and a wodge of dried orange…perfection. There’s loads of room to get creative and play around with the flavours if you’re up for some mixology.

For me this is not a straight up gin replication, it’s something way more interesting. It’s sugar-free which is always a bonus in my book!

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.

For UK – Use DRY5 at checkout for 5% off your order.
(a nice way to offset your shipping).

Note: This product emulates alcohol and could be triggering so please be careful!

Cals per 100ml	9 cal
Carbs per 100ml	0 g
Sugar per 100ml	0 g
Country of Origin	Australia
Price	$49.95

Description

PLEASE ALWAYS USE A QUALITY TONIC WITH YOUR NON-ALCOHOLIC SPIRITS! It makes a LOT of difference. NO Schweppes here please!!

And pour your spirit first, then your mixer, THEN your ice. Otherwise you’re going to dilute that delicate baby spirit, and with no booze, you can’t afford to do that!

Wow. I made this quite strong as I tend to do (to make sure I get all the flavours) and this non-alcoholic spirit packs QUITE a punch! And it made me sneeze! Very strong on the Juniper which I LOVE in an imitation gin. There is also citrus and corriander seeds. The ISH team have also included a quite a serious after burn, which gives you some heat and a tickle on the nose (hence the sneezing.).

A great example of a non-alcoholic gin mimic that hits all the spots.

Word on the street is that ISH are working on the first de-alcoholised spirit, and that’s making it’s way to our shores later in the year. I’ll revisit it as soon as the boat docks!

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.

Note: This product emulates alcohol and could be triggering so please be careful!

Cals per 100ml	3 cal
Carbs per 100ml	6g
Sugar per 100ml	0g
Country of Origin	Denmark
Price	$49.95

Description

It’s so good it’s my early contender for dink of the year.

Its robust, with intense and distinctive flavours. I get rosemary, blood orange, clove. It is a flavour sensation that is not overwhelmingly sweet and sugary. It’s simple too, 1 part Wilfred’s to 2 parts tonic. I think the flavours are so good even soda water could carry it. It’s a really cleverly researched and developed British product that ticks all the boxes. Low sugar, vegan and VERY pretty.

Rating: 10/10

Buy Again?: Yes

For NZ – Use DRY10 at checkout for 10% off your order.
For UK – Use DRY5 at checkout for 5% off your order.
(a nice way to offset your shipping).

Note: This product emulates alcohol and could be triggering so please be careful!

Cals per 100ml	41 cal
Carbs per 100ml	10.2 g
Sugar per 100ml	10.2 g
Country of Origin	England
Price	$35.00

Description

Grace in name, grace in appearance, grace in taste.

This distillation is an homage to classic gin botanicals without aiming to mimic. Its clean, refreshing and rich with juniper, ginger, cardamom, chicory & citrus. I love the uniqueness and complexity of flavours.

Described by the makers as “bringing the art of winemaking to the science of distilling to create the world’s finest alcohol-free distillations”. She’s fancy, refined (so nothing like me) and very moreish.

I suggest served with a light tonic and garnish. There’s a world of cocktail recipes on their on the website if you want to get creative!

Rating: 9/10

Buy Again?: Yes

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

Note: This product emulates alcohol and could be triggering so please be careful!

Cals per 100ml	0 cal
Carbs per 100ml	0 g
Sugar per 100ml	0 g
Country of Origin	Australia
Price	$49.95

Description

As a former Negroni enthusiast, I have been on the hunt for something non-alc that compares for some time now. I realise that trying to replicate a product that is pure alcohol in a non-alc way is a big ask, but a girl can dream right? The Lyres Negroni set fell seriously below expectations. Like SO far below. Too sweet, no body, no depth. I LOVE my Wilfred’s but more as a spritz than on the rocks like a traditional Negroni; she’s still a little on the sweet side for neat.

Enter Vera Spirits Aperitivo Classico. When they first posted this on their IG, I got REALLY excited: “What’s the tasting experience of Aperitivø Classicø? The first scent delivers mouth-watering sweet and herbal notes coming from bitter orange, rosemary, and thyme. This continues into a full-bodied experience with a sweet and citrusy flavour that leaves you with a long herbal and bitter finish.”

Sounded too good to be true. I’ve waited months and it’s finally on our shores and I can tell you…it was worth the wait. It totally lives up to that description. You get a real bitter punch from the rosemary and orange. The orange is delicious and so well balanced. This is not going to kill you with sweetness at all. If punchy is not your vibe, pop in a dash of tonic and you are in a spritzy heaven.

The missing 0.5/10 is that there’s just a tiny bit lacking in a full mouth feel, but add a squeeze of orange and your pretty much at 10.

Rating: 9.5/10

Buy Again?: Yes

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

Note: This product emulates alcohol and could be triggering so please be careful!

Cals per 100ml	56 cal
Carbs per 100ml	14 g
Sugar per 100ml	14 g
Country of Origin	Slovenia
Price	$49.95

Description

If you have been here for a little while you will know how much I love the Ovant Grace. I think the team at this Margaret River distillery are really onto something and are creating some truly unique distillations.

I first opened the bottle, took a sniff and though, woah that smells like rocket fuel! It’s a strong aroma and a really unique experience for the world of non-alcoholic spirits. Described as “An entirely new take on a traditional dark spirit, synchronising the sweetness of rum and the smokiness of whisky.” It does all that and more.

The flavours of lemon, cinnamon and star anise are the star of the show here and I have enjoyed it served with a spicy ginger beer and a twist of citrus. If you are not afraid of new flavours and willing to have a play then this is the drink for you.

There’ s a world of cocktail recipes on their on the website if you want to get creative!

I now cant wait to try the Ovant Verve once it is back in stock!

Rating: 8/10

Buy Again?: Yes

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

Note: This product emulates alcohol and could be triggering so please be careful!

Cals per 100ml	0 cal
Carbs per 100ml	0 g
Sugar per 100ml	0 g
Country of Origin	Australia
Price	$49.95

Description

Non-alcoholic spirits are actually my quiet hero of the whole industry. They use they same distillation process as alcoholic spirits but they are all so gentle, nuanced and unique. Don’t go in thinking, this will taste like Gin. Because it wont, but it is a very enjoyable drinking experience.

ALTD Green Grocer is all of those things. Subtle with beautiful native botanicals, I get lemon myrtle, bitterness from the lemon peel and green grapefruit and a dry finish thanks to the Tasmanian Pepperberry. I had to be quite heavy handed and had to go more than the recommended 50ml pour for it to cut through the tonic, but once I got the balance right it was just a delight.

Would also be good with a quality sparkling mineral water and squeeze of lemon.

These spirits are alcohol-free, sugar-free, calorie-free and vegan-friendly.

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.

Note: This product emulates alcohol and could be triggering so please be careful!

Cals per 100ml	1.9 cal
Carbs per 100ml	0.3 g
Sugar per 100ml	14 g
Country of Origin	Australia
Price	$49.95

Description

I’ll be rocking the boat with this review, as the Gordon’s Alcohol Free Gin gets a LOT of good press!

But for me? I can’t do it. There is just too much of an air of industrial toilet cleaner that I can’t get past. It has wiffs of gin, but they are just dominated by an overwhelmingly chemical taste. So fake. Wondering why this might be, I checked the ingredients list. Whilst all other non-alc spirits I have reviewed to date consist of water, natural botanicals and one preservative (which you need because without alcohol you get no shelf life), Gordon’s really does read like the afore mentioned toilet cleaning chemicals.

Now there is a much bigger discussion here, to do with what’s exactly in our drinks and what we should be looking out for on labels if we’re concerned about what we put into our bodies; but that’s one I want to have with a qualified nutritionist and share with you another day.

For today, there are way too many numbers in this drink for me to be able to enjoy it, plus to me those numbers really do reflect the taste. Fake as f**k.

If you’re after that real gin flavour, my top recommendation is a Monday Distillery Classic G&T, the real gin taste without any of the nasties. But that is ready-to-drink. Not a bottle of spirit.

Ugh why am I still drinking this? The THINGS I do for you guys!

Rating: 4/10

Buy Again?: No

For AU – Use DRY15 at checkout for 15% off your order.
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Determined to try for yourself? To Buy click on the button and use DRY15 at checkout for 15% off your order (a nice way to offset your shipping).

Note: This product emulates alcohol and could be triggering so please be careful!

Cals per 100ml	12 cal
Carbs per 100ml	0 g
Sugar per 100ml	0 g
Country of Origin	Italy
Price	$34.95

Description

This is one of my all time favourite non-alcoholic spirits. There is nothing not to love here. I find this Mediterranean inspired blend of flavours to be oh so beautifully balanced and enjoyable.

I get juniper, grapefruit and a little warming herbal hit of cardamom. The finish is dry and bitter and works so well with a beautiful dry tonic water. I chose CAPI Dry Tonic, but any good quality tonic would suffice.

NOTE. Don’t skimp on tonic water. Don’t Schweppes it up with non-alc spirits. They are beautifully crafted products and deserve to be treated as such.

A beautifully unique, refreshing and adult drinking experience that I highly recommend and enjoy!

Rating: 10/10

Buy Again?: Yes

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

Note: This product emulates alcohol and could be triggering so please be careful!

Cals per 100ml	0 cal
Carbs per 100ml	0 g
Sugar per 100ml	0 g
Country of Origin	Slovenia
Price	$49.95

Description

Hot tip!! The Clovendoe team suggest a ginger beer pairing with their Seed Zero spirit. To see if they are right, I’ve poured myself 2 drinks, one with Strangelove Hot Ginger Beer, the other with tonic, just to compare the experience.

The tasting notes mention lavender, rosemary, lemon thyme, lemon myrtle, orange and lemon peel. All very aromatic and I am guessing the ginger beer is used to bring in the warmth.

With tonic, the Clovendoe Seed is nice but it is not lighting my world on fire. None of those botanicals are really jumping around my mouth. But gosh gosh, that ginger beer really does the trick. You get the full blown flavours from the rosemary & lavender and the bitters and acid from all of the citrus elements. This is HERBACIOUS! Definitely one if you like it bitter.

To be honest, I was sceptical that the mixer could make such a difference but by golly it does! The ginger really pulls it all together into a symphony of flavours. So there in lies a final lesson for Gin week. Don’t be afraid to play around with flavours. Hit up the producers, see what they suggest as a best pairing!

Can’t wait to try the rest of the Clovendoe range!

Rating: 8/10

Buy Again?: Yes

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

Note: This product emulates alcohol and could be triggering so please be careful!

Cals per 100ml	0 cal
Carbs per 100ml	0 g
Sugar per 100ml	0 g
Country of Origin	Australia
Price	$39.95