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1st of October, Sober October challenge starts and also our official birthday month! More reasons to celebrate and do the challenge with us.  A month-long challenge in October where people around the world completely abstain from alcohol. Sober October is also associated with raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support founded in 2014. People sign up for the no-drinking challenge and ask friends and family to donate and raise funds to help people living with cancer.

The wait is over! I have finally found a non alcoholic Vodka. Yes you heard it right, we are now stocking the full range of Forged Drinks Melbourne non alcoholic spirits including Vodka.  Another great creation in non alcoholic spirits range made right here in Australia. Unparalleled in its uniqueness, Forged Drinks Melbourne meticulously crafted non alcoholic spirits with the cocktail bar scenario in mind. Forged Drinks Melbourne defy the norm, preserving their intensity and mouthfeel when mixed into the most intricate cocktails. Hours of research has led Forged Drinks Melbourne to replicate the authentic taste profiles of alcohol-based drinks when used as cocktail bases. This remarkable accomplishment has set a new standard in the world of non-alcoholic beverages.  These non alcoholic spirits range can be enjoyed at a family picnic, shared among friends, or savoured in solitude. This Australian-made beverages exemplify a dedication to health and taste. Try the Forged Counterfeit Vodka Porn Star Martini today! INGREDIENTS 50ml Forged Vodka 30ml Lime Juice 30ml Vanilla Syrup Pulp from 1⁄2 fresh passionfruit METHOD Shake all ingredients with ice Double Strain into chilled coupe Float 1⁄2 passionfruit on surface of cocktail  GLASS Cocktail coupe GARNISH 1⁄2 Passionfruit Photo and Recipe Credit: Forged Drinks Melbourne. Written by The NAC Team.          

Dry July fundraiser is raising funds for people affected by cancer. This year Dry July fundraising already raised $2,544,994 before officially starting the Dry July challenge. How to participate in Dry July? Sign up to Dry July challenge? Get your friends, family and colleagues to donate to you. Go Dry for the month of July Your donations help people affected by cancer. Dry July is an incredible fundraising course that helps local and national cancer support organisations across Australia to deliver practical and tangible support for people affected by cancer.  All the money raised from Dry July is used to benefit cancer patients, their families and carers to make the difficult time a little easier for all.  The money raised is used for information and support services, specialist cancer nurses, implement wellness programs, cancer centre improvements and accomodation and transport and comfort and support items.  Go Dry this July and support a worthy cause!  Written by The N.A.C. Team 

Many people have asked me about non-alcoholic Vodka. There are many reasons why Vodka is the hardest spirit to replicate in its non-alcoholic form.  I am sure when we have a non-alcoholic Vodka available on the market, it will be something to celebrate for. We are all looking for that exceptional Australian-made non-alcoholic Vodka. I, myself am waiting along with many of my customers for that day. A lot of distilleries across Australia are busily trying methods to recreate a non-alcoholic Vodka experience but it's just not there yet.  Vodka as a spirit has a naturally subtle, grainy taste and it has no real flavours in it that are hard to replicate. The real taste comes through when it's combined with the right quality ingredients.  Lyre's spokesperson, Marc Romanian says that "a non-alcoholic Vodka substitute was one of the first products we actually formulated". "Vodka, in general, is a neutral spirit without distinctive character, flavour or aroma (as opposed to other white spirits such as Gin which are punchy with botanicals). When we formulate our products, we often work end serve backwards i.e. if it won’t stick up to its most popular cocktail or serve suggestion we won’t release it."  Marc says that "if you look at the best value Vodka Australia drinks, the most popular is a vodka lime and soda, or cocktails where it is used to add alcohol but not necessarily a large depth of additional flavours". "We decided not to release something in this category as we didn’t want to market a product that didn’t add much in the way of defining flavours i.e. a non-alcoholic vodka lime and soda that just tasted like soda water with fresh lime," said Marc. So for the time being the best Vodka non-alcoholic substitute Lyre's have in their range is White Cane Spirit and Dry London. Lyre's have recreated a number of popular Vodka mocktails using Lyre’s White Cane Spirit or Lyre's Dry London and not forgetting the most popular Cosmopolitan.  Hopefully, the wait won't be that long when we can have a non-alcoholic Australian-made Vodka on the markets soon.    Written by The N.A.C. Team.

Missed having Irish Cream since you have been practicing sobriety! You can now make this dessert in a glass, this tipple is a little bit naughty and deliciously nice! Best enjoyed over ice and by a warm open fire with chestnuts roasting…Mmmm DELICIOUS! Ingredients 200mL Lyre's Highland Malt 200mL Condensed Milk 125mL Cream 30mL Espresso 1/2tsp Vanilla Essence 1tsp Chocolate Syrup Pinch of cinnamon and grated nutmeg Method Combine all ingredients and stir, pour over ice Glass Rocks Glass Garnish Grated Nutmeg A must for winter months or during Christmas festivities 🥳. Recipe credit to Lyre’s mixologist. Written by The N.A.C. Team.

Have you organised a Valentine’s Day Non Alcoholic Cocktail for your loved one! Try this LYRE’S  LOMBARDIA ROSSA for your Valentine ❤️. Ingredients 45mL Lyre's White Cane Spirit 15mL Amaretti 15mL lime juice 30mL cranberry juice Method In a cocktail shaker, comine all the ingredients. Add ice and shake. Strain into a glass with fresh ice.  Glass Highball Garnish Maraschino cherries Credit and Recipe to Lyre’s Mixlogist. Witten by The N.A.C.Team.  

What is Feb Fast you may ask? Feb Fast is all about supporting young Australians aged 12-25 years old from under privileged background to help walk away from addiction. The challenge is about pausing for a cause this February and giving up alcohol, sugar or another vice of your choice for the month of February like Feb Fit – all money raised in month of February will go towards raising support for the disadvantaged youth  aged 12 to 25 across Australia. It is the perfect excuse to kick-start the year with a little good health and good will.This challenge is all about supporting the young Australians to walk away from addiction. You can choose the month of February how you will support the young. Whether you choose to cut out alcohol, sugar or something else, you will help support the Australian youth to walk away from addiction. The proven benefits for removing alcohol for a month: Save money Enjoy better sleep for a month Feel healthier Feel good and do good Lose weight Pick Feb Fast, and you can give up a vice of your choice for the whole month, and raise funds for YSAS (Youth Support + Advocacy Support) drug and alcohol programs. Or if you choose Feb Fit, you can get moving for 25 minutes a day to help young people walk away from addiction. Join the challenge, you have nothing to lose but everything to gain. Start your February challenge feeling good, You got this! Written by The N.A.C. Team. 

Read the full article in Best of Local - Moreton Bay QLD, November Edition 2022.  Written by The N.A.C. Team. 

We are so excited to stock Banks Herbarium & Pink Grapefruit Tonic and Banks Botanicals in our store. Keep a look out, it will be available soon! I got to try some this weekend and I loved it!  Banks Herbarium & Pink Grapefruit Tonic was refreshing, sophisticated, bold, and elegant to have in a highball glass garnished with pomegranate seeds.  It was absolutely delicious and only 9 calories. Definitely not feeling guilty about enjoying this truly beautiful, elegant cocktail premixed drink made right here in Yarra Valley, Victoria using the botanicals from our Australian bush.  Banks Herbarium & Pink Grapefruit Tonic captures the essence of each ingredient in its purest form to create a low-sugar, completely vegan cocktail. Taste the mountain-fresh Yarra Valley water used to distill the distinctive cinnamon notes of cassia, together with the fresh high notes of lemon myrtle and lime, the nutty roasted flavour of wattleseed and the spice of wild Tasmanian pepperberry. With the global trend of reduced alcohol consumption for better health and well-being, Banks Herbarium & Pink Grapefruit Tonic is your next go to drink.  Highly recommend this drink for your next event. Get your Banks Herbarium & Pink Grapefruit Tonic in our online store.  Written by The N.A.C. Team. 

Did you know Sbagliato means "mistaken" or "broken" in Italian, a reference to substituting the gin in a traditional Negroni for sparkling wine? Well, so I learned today about Negroni Sbagliato thanks to my Lyre's AU friends.  Here is a recipe to try making one for yourself by substituting gin with Lyre's Classico Grande. Ingredients: 30mL Lyre’s Italian Orange 30mL Lyre’s Aperitif Rosso 90mL Lyre’s Classico Grande Method: Pour all ingredients into the glass. Fill with ice, and stir.  Glass: Use a large wine glass or tumbler.  Garnish: Use a fresh orange slice. Easy Negroni Sbagliato to make when you are substituting your alcohol intake. Try making one today!  Written by The N.A.C. Team *Recipe and photo credit to Lyre's AU Mixologist Class.