Taste Test - We try non-alcoholic tequila from Edinburgh's Small Spirits Company
What is it?
Mockingbird 0 per cent Tequila Inspired Spirit 50cl, £24.50. They describe it as an Alcoternative, and say; “Embodying the spirit of the mockingbird, humbly mimicking the traditional taste of tequila, allowing you to have all of the margaritas with none of the migraines”.
The non-alcoholic drinks market seems to be constantly growing, and we’ve sampled non-alcoholic gin and beer, but this is the first tequila on our radar.
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Hide AdOf course, there’s no boozy mezcal worm at the bottom, and you won’t be slamming it down and doing dances that you might regret, before crying in the toilets.
It’s not only alcohol free, it could be described as healthy. The ingredients include extracts of the tequila ingredient, blue weber agave, as well as vanilla, cinnamon and habanero. However, there’s also the addition of wonder herb ashwagandha - an adaptogen (herbs that counter stress in the body, apparently), which is supposed to help soothe anxiety and depression. “Added natural energy”, they also say.
Where can I buy it?
It’s stocked by new Edinburgh based business The Small Spirits Company, which is owned by Graeme Sutherland, co-owner of The Good Brothers Wine Bar in Stockbridge. This online shop offers a wide range of interesting non-alcoholic drinks that are a world away from dandelion and burdock or Schloer. Their online bottle shop includes the apple-y Leitza Alcohol Free Dry Riesling, £8.50, as well as zero per cent liqueurs from Symmetry, Three Spirit and Scottish brand, Feragaia, among other options.
What does it taste like?
Mockingbird’s serving suggestions is to “pour 50ml over ice with club soda or a mixer of your choice and garnish with a wedge of lime”. We’re hardcore, so had it neat, as a slammer. It smells rather lovely - creamy and vaguely cola cube-ish. The taste has depth too, thanks to the faint heat of habanero in the background, which is rounded off by all that caramel sweetness. It did make us do a bit of dancing, but we’ll blame that on the natural sugars. Perfect for those who don’t like the juniper that’s often in non-alcoholic gin and would like something richer and a bit more mellow.
8/10