Andris Reizenbergs

A very hot topic in the world this year is non-alcoholic cocktails at weddings and other social events. It is a broad industry that is rapidly developing and gaining popularity in Latvia as well. The award-winning bartender and non-alcoholic Lyre's drinks specialist Andris Reizenbergs talks about alternatives to alcoholic beverages.

Time-tested flavors in non-alcoholic format

The range of sophisticated and high-quality soft drinks has expanded significantly in recent years. Mainly thanks to Lyre's brand of non-alcoholic spirits imitators. These are high-quality drinks made from various fruits, herbs, spices and other natural raw materials. They imitate the taste, appearance and aroma of classic alcoholic beverages, and they can be used to make practically any cocktail. Lyre's range of non-alcoholic imitators includes popular drinks such as gin, whiskey, rum, tequila and many more. Several aperitif imitations and Prossecco are available to make the much-loved spritz cocktails. Ready-made cans are available, for example, gin and tonic, rum or whiskey with cola and the already mentioned Italian spritz.

More conscious use of drinks

Lyre's drinks were created with the aim of providing a quality experience to those who, for various reasons, choose not to drink alcohol or reduce its consumption. By including non-alcoholic cocktail alternatives in the drink menu, each of the guests will be able to choose a cocktail that suits their taste in a beautiful glass, with decor, and there will be no awkward situations in which someone has to raise a glass of water, for example, during a toast. With such a non-alcoholic cocktail, which looks just like an alcoholic one, every guest will feel free and avoid the need to answer the questions and prompts of other guests and still enjoy an alcoholic drink.

Lyre's imitators can also be mixed with classic spirits, reducing the alcohol content of cocktails. By choosing non-alcoholic or lightly alcoholic cocktails, you will be able to fully enjoy the wedding celebration throughout the day without losing focus and without getting too dizzy. When drawing up a wedding drinks menu, you should definitely ask the bartender to offer interesting non-alcoholic drinks as well, and by serving cocktails in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions, you will enrich the drinks menu, show that you have thought about each of the guests and, perhaps, it will be a pleasant discovery for one of them.

Qualitative experience

Lyre's alcohol mimics are made from natural ingredients, have fewer calories than classic alcoholic beverages, and are vegan. Most of the time, when people try these cocktails for the first time, they are genuinely surprised by how authentic they taste. A master class on making non-alcoholic cocktails or tastings can become part of the wedding program, it will be great entertainment for guests.

Of course, the possibilities of enjoying these drinks are much wider than wedding celebrations.

They can also be served at other events or prepared at home. It does not require specific knowledge, because non-alcoholic cocktails are prepared in the same way as classic cocktails. Of course, when choosing to make these cocktails yourself, you should take into account their complexity and the required bar equipment. The key is to follow the recipe and use quality ingredients. Recently, it has been popular to give bar equipment as a gift, so it is likely that everyone will have everything they need to make the simplest cocktails at home.

Sophisticated non-alcoholic cocktails are a topic that is rapidly gaining popularity and will be particularly relevant this year. now it is possible to prepare any classic cocktail in its non-alcoholic version without losing the nuances of taste. Initially, the uninitiated will not even say that they are enjoying a soft drink. Of course, tastes tend to vary, but they are definitely worth a try. By including non-alcoholic drinks in the wedding drink menu, you will provide a taste pleasure for both yourself and your guests, and you will also be able to fully enjoy your special day together with them. For example, you can serve non-alcoholic Prossecco after the ceremony and then safely get in the car and go to the next stops of the day, giddy with nothing but love.

Text: Renāte Berga, Story: Andris Reizenbergs