As Dry January comes to an end – we test drinks healthier than your regular tipple
DRY January may be coming to an end, but keeping a check on your booze intake throughout the rest of the year is never a bad idea.
Kicking it for just a month can lead to better sleep, improved energy and concentration plus weight loss.
Jane Atkinson tries out three drinks that can be healthier than your regular tipple . . .
ALCOHOL-FREE
THIS gin alternative called Clean G was launched by former Made In Chelsea star Spencer Matthews in 2019.
Now his company, CleanCo, makes tequila, rum, vodka and whisky alternatives.
This take on a London dry gin doesn’t have the same punchy smell as gin – it’s almost medicinal – but it tastes very similar.
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Mixed with your favourite tonic, it’s crisp, refreshing and very drinkable.
Not only are there no hangovers with this G&T, but there are just 14 calories per 50ml serving – nine times fewer than you get in the real stuff.
There’s no sugar or sweeteners and it’s vegan and gluten-free.
The stylish hexagonal bottle looks great in the drinks cabinet too.
£16 per 70cl bottle, clean.co.
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LOW CARB
WE all know consuming too much sugar is bad for us.
The extra insulin in the bloodstream can affect your arteries, which over time can actually cause heart damage.
Booze can be crammed full of the stuff, but if you want low sugar it’s worth it.
Think Prosecco is a vegan and organic sparkling wine with a reduced sugar content and zero carbohydrates.
The fizz comes from a British company, but the naturally sweet grapes are from Treviso in north east Italy.
This actually tastes just like the sugar-laden stuff. I loved it. It is a straw colour with lovely bubbles and tastes fresh.
This has 3.5g of residual sugar per litre compared to your average prosecco, which can have up to 17g. Plus it is just 450 calories for a full bottle.
Great if you want low sugar but pricey at £20.99 a bottle. See thinkwinegroup.co.uk.
LOW ALCOHOL
DRINKS company Nice has just launched its first lower ABV session wine.
At 3.4 per cent, its alcohol content is even lower than your average lager.
You can have three glasses of the sauvignon blanc or merlot and it will be the equivalent to one glass of your usual tipple.
This gives you the chance to moderate your drinking without going dry.
It’s also better for you, as alcohol, as well as being intoxicating, can also cause high blood pressure, increasing your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
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I tried the merlot, which has a slightly sharp taste if you are used to a rich, full-bodied red.
But I like the light stuff so this juicy, fruity red works for me. £10 for 75ml, nice-drinks.co.uk.