Where to get the best sober drinks
Overindulged during the festive period and keen to get a grip on your life again, or are you a non-alcohol convert already? These days, it’s a lot easier to have fun and party with excellent alternatives for alcoholic drinks.
Opting for alcohol-free drinks is not just a new thing. It has been happening over the last few years, and the market is catching up quickly. Producers recognise this demand, and it is certainly not a niche anymore. Noseco was one of the first alcohol-free sparkling wines and has the largest market share right now.
Over the years, I have had a lot of non-alcoholic drinks, and I have to admit that many are pretty disappointing. Especially the wines. Australia claims to be the leading producer, as its bold grape varieties allow it to create better non-alcoholic alternatives.
Session wines are the newest kid on the block. I am sure you have heard of session beer, which has been around for centuries and was a good alternative to water when it was unsafe to drink. As wine consumption is in decline, the wine brand Nice has launched their ‘session wine’ as they spotted a niche in the market, and their session wine has a lower ABV of 3.4%
My go-to non-alcoholic drinks are Noseco and Ginger beer, but my all-time favourite is Ruby Aperitif by Wave Length. A creation of craft beer brewers in Cornwall, and it’s my alternative for an alcohol-free Negroni. I love the bitter and tangy flavour and mix it with sparkling mineral water, a dash of fresh orange juice and a slice of orange. The creators might have been inspired by Crodino, which is much sweeter. After drinking copious glasses of this Italian soda aperitif during my two pregnancies in the 90s, I’m afraid I can’t face it any more.
My current favourite cocktail is a basil smash, which I discovered on my recent visit to Krakow in 2023. It is not everybody’s ‘cup of tea’, but I love it! A sirup made from mango, basil and sea salt served over ice and finished with the juice of one lime and a good dash of soda. Garnished with fresh basil and sea salt. Indeed, the alternative to a Gin Basil Smash.
Well, you’ll be pleased to hear that you don’t have to dash over to Krakow to get your Zero fix. There are some pretty amazing drinks and places in Cambridge to have fun if you are abstaining from alcohol.
Fine dining restaurants
Come on, spoil yourself in the new year on one of the ultimate dining experiences in Cambridge, but don’t fancy a flight of wine to pair your tasting menu? Don’t worry. You certainly don’t have to miss out on a fantastic drinks pairing. The carefully crafted alcohol-free flights at Cambridge’s top restaurants, Restaurant 22, Midsummer House and VanderLyle will enhance your exclusive dining experience, as just as much thought has gone into the creation of these drinks as the food.
Sober Bar
Are you looking for one of the ultimate evenings out where you can enjoy fine food, an array of alcohol-free drinks, and not just the odd Mocktail but wine and beer to choose from? I know just the right place! Golpo – the Bengal Cafe & Restaurant on Hills Road, the only Sober Bar in Cambridge with a fantastic offer of zero-alcohol drinks, wine, beer and even sparkling wine with glitters!
Fancy something different than Indian Cuisine? Head over to Mill Road to the North African restaurant, Bedouin and be transferred to a Bedouin tent where the walls are draped with rugs from the Sahara tribes. Tuck into traditional heart-warming tagines and couscous dishes from across the Maghreb and sip on mint tea or refreshing alcohol-free cocktails.
Wine Merchants
Checking out our newest Wine Merchant for his offering, I loved the owner Ben’s wording: ” Whether you’re having a dry, damp or soaking wet January, today is the perfect day for us to shout about the lovely de-alcoholised wine from Wednesdays Domain“. Ben’s new Wine shop is on King Street. If you haven’t been yet, go and say hello and check out the full range at King Street Cellar.
Fancy a bite of street food and meeting up with friends over a zero-alcohol drink? The quirky bottle shop Thirsty Cambridge on Chesterton Road has food trucks rocking up every day on their kerb, and they stock Wednesdays Domain, too.
A quaint Pub
Finding a pub serving low-alcohol beer isn’t difficult these days, but where to go if you want a good old local pub away from the crowds that offers more than a good selection of these beers? The Free Press Pub, just off Parker’s Piece, is one of the favourite pubs of the Cambridge community. A hidden gem serving excellent pub grub but also Asian and Mediterranean-inspired food and, of course, a good Scotch Egg. And what about drinks? Expect a good selection of low-alcohol beer and fancy alcohol-free cocktails.
Sober producer
Looking for a non-alcoholic drink and want to push the boundaries for something more exciting? Check out the low/no-alcohol NODE drinks created by Sam Adams whilst working at one of the top restaurants in Cambridge. He launched this exciting brand in 2022 and NODE has become very popular in his hometown, Cambridge, and further afield and in London, too. Sam is the small batch low/no-alcohol producer who wants to
The Cambucha Original
Brewed in small batches in Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire.
Bold and Fruity Original Kombucha is crafted the traditional way, slowly fermented with a blend of premium teas. It’s deliciously tangy with a long-lasting flavour and the just the right amount of effervescence to tickle your palate. We don’t put in anything that shouldn’t be there (no flavourings, no colourings, no preservatives, no sweeteners). Trust us, your tastebuds and your gut will thank you!
Growing up in Poland, pickling and fermenting foods was a way of life, and this passion for healthy living continued into adulthood. Food science consultant Lukas and PhD researcher Kasia began brewing drinks at home during lockdown to find an alternative to alcohol. With a young family, they wanted a beverage which had rich, grown-up flavours, gave them energy and was gut-friendly, but had none of the negative effects of alcohol. Lukas and Kasia only use water, sugar, tea leaves (Darjeeling, Ceylon and Oolong), kombucha start culture.
More about the creators of this delicious drink is available at this link.
Available from Indie Cambridge member The Cambridge Juice Company.
Cocktail fun
Signature botanical cocktails and carefully created alcohol free cocktails at some of the finest places in Cambridge. The places to hang out for this are NOVI Cambridge and the Orator at the Cambridge Union. Expect something different, exciting and tasty and seasonal cocktails at the Orator. Fancy a delicious ‘Freewheeler’..Zesty Caleno light, lime juice & agave syrup then the Old Bicycle Shop is the place for your tipple!
Let’s explore the Cambridge Food scene…
Food walking tour
Join a fun food walking tour with the Cambridge Food Tour and discover that Cambridge has a lot to offer. Explore the historic centre and off the beaten track Cambridge, discovering the real Cambridge, new places to eat and drink, tasting delicious food and sipping interesting non-alcoholic drinks at local independents.
Locally produced Soft drinks
Cambridge can be very proud of having excellent soft drink producers, whose aim is not only to create delicious drinks but only wanting to trade with independent businesses. Breckland Orchard and Cambridge Juice can be found at local independent shops and restaurants, cafes and pubs.
The Cambuca is new to the scene. Launched in 2023, this Kombucha is made in the Fenlands, Waterbeach in small batches.
Let’s talk Tea!
Life is brew-tea-ful with a cup of tea!
Anyone a cuppa? How do you like yours? Milky, herbal or a strong black one? Not quite sure what to get, but looking for a tea to make you relaxed or to give you the ultimate sleep? We don’t have the answer, but Victoria from Tea Apothecary has.
So, where is this delightful specialist teashop in Cambridge? It is tucked away at one of the prettiest shopping streets, Magdalene Street. If you are unfamiliar with Cambridge, it’s close to the central punting station.
Victoria and Edvard, founders of Tea Apothecary, a small family business, opened their shop in the summer of 2024. As lifelong tea devotees, they started the business as a passion project and creative outlet before deciding to introduce it to the world.
Cool chocolate!
It’s pretty hot these days, delicious fine choclate drinks.
So, where can you find a steaming cup of chocolate in Cambridge which is not your average hot chocolate? Head over to Green Street, a pretty cobbled street connecting Sidney Street and Trinity Street, and you’ll spot Knoops Chocolate in one of the corner shops.
When it comes to chocolate, opinions are much divided. Some like it white, others creamy, and many, just like me, prefer it bitter! You’re in the right place here, as there is a choice of at least 16 different types of chocolate. Some flavours aren’t listed, so check if they have your favourite type of chocolate available.
Jens Knoop, the founder, has had a strong relationship with chocolate since his childhood in rural Germany. In 2013, he decided to share his passion and opened the first Knoops store in Rye, East Sussex. Since then, Jens has gone on to open more Knoops stores. There are now 8 in total, and probably more to come!
The Knoops concept is based around our carefully curated percentage menu, which offers chocolates to suit every taste and mood. Jens works closely with farmers and producers, one of them is local to Cambridge actually, in Peterborough!
How to choose your chocolate? It’s pretty simple. Choose your chocolate %, milk, and extra flavours like sea salt, orange zest, or chilli to be made into a hot chocolate, milkshake or iced chocolate.
Who said that going sober is boring? It might have been so in the past, but times are changing.
Cheers to a sober January!
Gerla
