Many non-alcoholic spirits have hit the market lately, often as an item that's prohibitively expensive and as luxurious as the more expensive alcoholic spirit blends. It can seem as though, those who are avoiding drink are priced out of the market! But there are stores - particularly the continental brands such as Aldi and Lidl, which have sought to corner this market with what they can order from cheaper suppliers. And indeed, a UK distiller known as The Bloomsbury Club have been the people to supply such an alcohol-free spirit to Aldi! Yet the name of course sounds so Scandinavian! Even the bottle tells us, that "Kvist" is an old Norsk word for "Botany". This drink is often sold in two flavours - Classica and Rosa. So since Rosa was the pink coloured / flavoured blend I was able to purchase some time ago, this is my review of it.
The nose and palate really just deliver a lot of bark flavours, on a neat tasting. I can only guess that this is what such a non-alcoholic distillate has to provide, in hoping to make up for the “kick” of the alcohol. It really makes me feel that this isn’t something you should drink, if you need just anything alcoholic while you’re tee total. I would say that this is definitely make for the *experience* of drinking a spirit that isn’t alcoholic.
For the price, I would say you still get that experience in good measure. There’s still juniper, there’s still spice, and there’s still a balance of flavours. It isn’t like an alcoholic spirit, but worth also saying that it isn’t like an alcoholic wine either. It is definitely best served cold, and not with anything that can dilute it too much. If it’s just too watery then... you’ll just think that you’re drinking weird bitter flavoured water!
Having said that, anything sparkling can enrich the flavour in Kvist. There are definitely notes to compliment a citrusy or acidic addition. The finish is also very livening. I was very tired when I did the taste test of this, and from drinking it I did not feel tired again for a while.
Soda water enhances the flavour.
Diet tonic water grounds it, and helps to make the experience last.
And if you mix Kvist with an apple & raspberry flavoured sparkling water, the flavour of Kvist becomes... bouncy! And arboreal!
If you want to celebrate your local trees and other fruitful flora, then yes, I would have to say most of all that enjoying a good helping of Kvist with a flavoured sparkling water, is a superb way to do that! I imagine this is something I’ll be experimenting with, when spring comes around.
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