Dry Vermouth Buck

London’s Sacred Spirits Company has come up with the ultimate ‘spiked ginger ale’. The firm’s bone-dry vermouth is heavy on the thyme and pairs well with zingy ginger. Pro tip: pour the vermouth straight from the freezer and not only do you have low alcohol cocktails to impress your friends, you also have low alcohol ice lollies. 

• 1 shot of Sacred English Dry Vermouth
• Juice of half a lemon
• Top with ginger ale
• Garnish with a sprig of mint

An Americano in Paris

If you’re a Negroni drinker, switch to its lighter cousin, the Americano. It has the same, refreshing mix of sweetness and bitterness but won’t leave your head spinning like a roulette wheel. This particular spin on the Americano, with a splash of bitters, was invented by Vikre, a US craft distillery.

• 40ml Aperol
• 40ml sweet vermouth
• 3 dashes Angostura bitters
• Top up with soda water
• Garnish with an orange slice

Rebujito

A favourite at Spanish festivals, the Rebujito was invented to rehydrate thirsty Andalusians. Each region makes a different version, with some adding rosemary or berries. Fun fact: The Spanish sub out the lemonade for tonic, and the mint for gin, to make a ‘sherry and tonic’. 

• Dry sherry (Fino or its mature cousin Manzanilla)
• Top with lemonade (Sprite if you want it to be really authentic)
• Garnish with fresh mint

LoCa Punch

Minus 33 is a Scottish low alcohol ‘gin’ (legally it’s classed as a ‘white spirit). Flavoured with juniper and orange, it makes a killer summer punch, so the measures below are for a whole pitcher. With an ABV of 33%, it straddles the gap between fortified wine and real gin.

• 250ml Minus 33
• 250ml pineapple juice
• 250ml orange juice
• 50ml lime juice
• 20ml sugar syrup
• Grated nutmeg
• One whole sliced pineapple
• A bag of ice

Fernet con Coca

Fernet-Branca is a bitter Italian liqueur made with rhubarb, tree bark and spices. It’s been around forever but has recently become a hipster favourite. Fernet and cola – a refreshing alco-pop – is Argentina’s most popular long drink. Not gonna lie: it’s bit weird at first. But you’ll soon learn to love it.

• 50ml Fernet-Branca
• Top with cola
• Ice to taste

Can’t be arsed to make all these cocktails? Here’s our favourite low alcohol craft beers. Or if you’re looking for something a little punchier these are (in our humble opinion) the best three margarita recipes like, ever, and if that’s still not getting your spirits up we give you the world’s rarest mezcal.