There exists (because I have seen
in on the TV and that, as everyone knows, is a bastion of truthfulness) a non-alcoholic
gin and tonic. Who cares? I hear you all
chant in unison. And you do, of course,
have a point. Why would anyone who likes
a good G&T want it without the alcohol that makes it all worthwhil?.
Well, me.
As I have had my alcohol intake
curtailed by medical advice (I hardly count “one small glass of red wine” as
being an invitation to anything) I have looked around for alternatives. Luckily, my fading memories of early attempts
at non-alcoholic beer, have not been re-born by trying the modern
alternatives. There was a sort of stout
that I drank in Edinburgh lately that actually tasted like the real thing, and
it was in larger than usual bottle as well!
So, having exhausted the delights
of having cold water with my meals and alternating with Casera (a calorie free
sort of pop) and equally not really liking that either. I am in the market for drinks that actually
taste like something like the originals that I am not allowed to drink.
I have not had the courage to ask
for non-alcoholic wine, as my memories of that horror are still vivid and not
something that I want to repeat. And,
anyway, who would have the courage to ask for something so vile in a country
that makes so much of the real stuff?
There is a kids-version of Cava,
but that it impossibly sweet and the bottle is naff too.
This lunchtime I asked for
pimentos del padron which are green fried peppers. Nothing out of the ordinary about that, but I
had to say “sin sal” in other words “without salt” as that is another of the
denials that I have to make. As the
chunks of sea salt are an integral part of the dish, to ask for it not to be
there is akin to having fish and chips without mushy peas. It’s still a tasty dish, but it’s not the
same.
Like the beer and the wine and
the mythical G&T without alcohol.
But, if it exists, I am prepared
to give it a try.
An ongoing project of mine is to
find a way to make non-alcoholic sangria (another no-no for most people in this
country) but nothing daunted, I am prepared to do some research to find a way
to make the stuff that I can drink.
There is a concoction of tinto de Verano or red wine of summer that had
been advertised as non-alcoholic version. That could form the base, the add fruit and
then the only problem is with the brandy or similar to give a flavoured
base. I am convinced that there is a non-alcoholic
brandy flavouring used in baking that would suit the bill.
It may not “work” but it should
be fun trying!
If anyone out there has a
suggestion to make the drink more palatable, feel free to let me know. I am always looking to extend the non-alcoholic
delights in store for me!
