How Non-Alcoholic Cocktails Can Help With Inclusion

When we spoke with Brunswick Aces back in Summer 2021 they told us all about their journey. Not only in creating Australia’s first non-alcoholic spirit (Sapiir) but also in launching Australia’s first alcohol-free bar filled with non-alcoholic spirits, beers and mixers with a glimpse of the Brunswick distillery behind the bar.

This month (being March 2022), JOMO were excited to feature the wonderful Brunswick Aces in the Spring Box. Filled with floral and citrus notes, it was the perfect spirit to lead us into Spring.

Being a London Dry style spirit, Brunswick is perfect for those JOMO members that love a G&T and is extremely versatile when pairing with tonic, soda, kombucha, flavoured mixers or in cocktails.

So, what makes Brunswick stand out? Brunswick Aces have two alcohol-free spirits (or Sapiir) in their range: Spades and Hearts. Spades Sapiir is savoury and fresh containing lemon myrtle, green cardamon, citrus, Tasmanian pepperberry and juniper. Hearts Sapiir is a warm and inviting blend with spiced cassia bark and ginger balanced out by sweet citrus and native Australian wattle seed.

JOMO’s Spring Box brought Spades with all its fresh citrus flavours to pair with the citrus mixers we had in the box. Pairing wonderfully with L.A Brewery’s Citrus Hops with ice and garnished with lime and also pairing well in a martini glass chilled with Cloudwater Soda’s Pineapple & Yuzu garnished with rose petals there were some bold flavours and vibrant colours.

Back to the Sapiir part. We asked the Brunswick Aces team what Sapiir actually was and why the name and they said ‘Sapiir is the name we give to our non-alcoholic gin. Phrases like non- alcoholic spirit and non-alcoholic gin can conjure negative feelings and set customers apart as having a less than perfect or negative experience. We think eventually being able to walk up to a bar and ordering a sapiir & tonic is much more appealing than a non-alcoholic gin and tonic.’

Being inclusive runs through their veins from not only in their name and their product but from their bar too. Brunswick Aces launched the first non-alcoholic bar in Australia which is proving to be a great success. ‘We’ve survived multiple lockdowns, and our loyal customers are really supportive and patient as we get back to the new normal. We have an amazing group of regulars, and people visiting from interstate that love coming back into an atmosphere with a regular premium bar, just minus the alcohol.’

They share with us that their customers range from 18-80 years old looking to socialise and are varied from pregnant people, to those recovering from addictions to those adhering to strict religious rules and medical needs, along with those looking to achieve more balance in their lives as they moderate alcohol.

‘The response has been resoundingly positive, mostly messages of thanks that we are giving people the options. Many pubs and restaurants are on-board with stocking at least one non- alcoholic option, but the variety and quality isn’t very consistent, and what they do stock may not be to everyone’s taste’.

The bar continues to rotate and expand its offerings in line with the rapidly growing no/low market providing strong consumer choice.

If you would like to try your own serves at home, you can purchase Brunswick Aces at brunswickaces.co.uk and follow their journey @brunswickacesuk.

Try with a tonic for a simple serve, or pair with L.A Brewery’s Citrus Kombucha and a slice of lime for our Ace of Spades cocktail. Crisp and delicious.