Clean G Pink Non Alcoholic Crisp Fruity Botanical Spirit

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts an opinions are our own.

The sun has finally made an appearance and the forecast for the next few days is good so I’m looking forward to some lazy afternoons in the garden once I’ve finished work for the day. Whilst I would love to unwind with a cool gin and tonic, I’ve a busy week so can’t afford to wake up with a hangover,so a sophisticated non alcoholic drink like Clean G Pink from Clean Co is the perfect choice. Founded in 2019 by Spencer Matthews Clean Co has quickly made a name for itself with its stylish art deco style bottles and high quality alcohol free spirits. Clean G Pink is not only refreshing but captures the essence of a classic pink gin, offering a vibrant blend of botanicals and a hint of sweetness just minus the alcohol.

The Clean G Pink spirit has a delicate pink hue and the bouquet of aromatic botanicals, berries and pink peppercorns creates an inviting aroma that promises an enjoyable drinking experience. The taste is fruity and zesty with the juniper leading the way. The clean and crisp taste makes it incredibly refreshing and whether you pair it with a standard or flavoured tonic, lemonade or make a mocktail it is the ideal companion for unwinding and relaxing.

With less than 0.5% ABV, no sugar or additional sweeteners and only 14 calories per 50ml serving it’s the perfect choice when you want something special that isn’t alcoholic.

A 70cl bottle costs £16 and is available from Clean Co and supermarkets.

Soda Stream Terra Machine

Disclaimer: We received this product fee of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Ordinarily in December I buy lots of fizzy drinks to enjoy over the festive period. This year I’ve been trying to reduce my use of single use plastics, so the SodaStream Terra is a very welcome addition to our kitchen, drastically reducing the amount of plastic in our recycling bin each week!

With a chic and minimalist design the black SodaStream Terra is stylish and will look at home on any kitchen worktop. The machine uses an internal CO2 cannister to add fizz to plain tap water, making carbonated water which you can enjoy on its own or add a flavoured syrup to make a refreshing drink.

It is really easy to set up, simply slot the CO2 cylinder in the back of the machine and you are ready to go. It doesn’t need electric so it can be placed anywhere in the kitchen and there are no wires to get in the way or look unsightly. When you want to use it you slot a SodaStream bottle full of tap water into the machine. It’s better to chill the water in the fridge first as cold water holds the carbonation much better and I find it better to have 2 bottles on the go so I always have chilled water available. The bottle snaps in easily and all you need to do is press the button on the top a couple of times, depending on the level of carbonation you require. Once you’ve made the fizzy water you can either drink it as it is, add a flavoured syrup or add the fizzy water to standard cordials to liven them up which is a great way to get children (and adults) to drink more water.

There are branded syrups available allowing you to make your own Pepsi, Pepsi Max and 7Up at the press of a button which is great for parties when it can be hard to gauge how many drinks you are going to need, it also eliminates the problem of where to store all the plastic bottles.  

Normally once a 2l bottle is opened it needs drinking the same day, otherwise it soon goes flat but with SodaStream each drink is made fresh and you can even control the fizz, making your drink lightly sparkling to super fizzy.

Each C02 cylinder holds enough gas to make 60 litres of sparkling drinks and refills are available from supermarkets and the Sodastream website.

The gas cylinders are of course recyclable and once sent back, or exchanged at a supermarket they are inspected and reused again minimising waste. To encourage you to return the cylinders there is a discount when you buy a new cylinder.

If you’re still looking for Christmas gift inspiration then a SodaStream is a great idea and makes a fantastic gift for anyone who enjoys fizzy drinks or sparking water.

RRP £109.99

Wavey Ice SIPS Cocktails and Ice Pops

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Before the very end of summer looms, and Christmas celebrations start we are in that autumn phase where some of the days are hot and humid and sometimes, like today, it is pouring with rain and you don’t want to leave the house. The evenings are getting darker quicker but with brilliant sunshine and unseasonal heat it’s difficult to say goodbye to summer for good.

Wavey Ice produce these gorgeous alcoholic frozen ice pops aimed solely at adults.  With flavours such as Kola & Spiced Rum, Black Grape & White Rum and Watermelon and Vodka (All at 6.25% ABV) then there’s no excuse to not get the party started, no matter the weather!  This array of flavours is enough to keep anyone happy and the fact that they’re alcoholic too makes them all the more delicious. You can eat them on their own or add them to a mixer as a coolant, just keep them away from the kids!

Wavey Ice have also launched their own range of refrigerated cocktails.  This includes two flavours of mocktails; Virgin Mango & Pineapple Mojito and Virgin Sex on the Beach.  The mojito flavours are obvious but if you’re not familiar with Sex on the Beach as a cocktail, it is peach, orange and cranberry.  Each 200ml pouch is enough for a tumbler sized glass and the pliable pouches fit nicely into any fridge. You can either drink them straight from the pouch for a picnic, add them to alcohol as a mixer or even make up a bigger bowl with them to create a punch. I had them one afternoon to rehydrate after a day out and they’re very refreshing; a nice alternative to fruit juice and as they’re made with real fruit juice. Even better, there’s no hangover because they’re alcohol free and the Mango and Pineapple Mojito has just won Silver in the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards!

As Wavey SIPS are freshly made with fresh fruit juice and ingredients, there is a limited shelf life to them. Pop them in the fridge and drink them as soon as possible, or they can also go in the freezer for later.Wavey Ice SIPS and Ice Pops are available from £16.99 per box at: https://waveyice.com/collections/sips

Mavrik Non Alcoholic Cocktails

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review but all thoughts and opinions are our own

It’s the weekend and even though we’re taking part in Dry January it doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a cocktail or two – there are plenty of delicious non-alcoholic cocktails available now and Mavrik have certainly come up trumps with their exciting non- alcoholic cocktail range.

The Mavrik taster pack contains four 250ml cans and with less than 50 calories per can they are perfect for those watching the calories as well as those who prefer a non-alcoholic drink. Choose from

  • Aromatic G&T: A delicious version of the quintessential English favourite with a refined low calorie pink G&T.
  • Cuban Mojito: Zinging with mint and rum flavours, this indulgent alcohol-free Mojito is the very refreshing and will be lovely to drink with friends this Dry January. 
  • Venetian Spritz: A refreshing, sparking orange drink, sweet with a hint of bitterness and is  delicious with plenty of ice and a few slices of orange.
  • Storm & Spice: a fiery, tongue tickling, low calorie version of the classic spicy Bermudan rum cocktail.

My favourite of the four was the Cuban Mojito which was just as a Mojito should be, nice and  refreshing with the taste of fresh lime and mint and with no sugar I can drink it all night guilt free.

I must say I was very pleasantly surprised with the non-alcoholic drinks, made with natural ingredients and carbonated New Forest spring water they are very refreshing and enable you to get into the party spirit without the hangover! They are vegan friendly, gluten free and contain less than 5 grams of sugar per 100 grams so what’s not to love?

Mavrik drinks are available from their website and the tasting pack costs £9.75

SodaStream Art Review

Soda Stream

Disclaimer: We received the SodaStream Art for the purpose of this review but all words and opinions are our own.

The forecast next week is predicted to be hot, hot, hot with temperatures up in the 30’s. We are not used to those temperatures in the UK so it is really important to stay hydrated. We all know we should drink 8 glasses of water a day, but I really struggle to do this so was really pleased when Sodastream sent me a Sodastream Art to try.

SodaStream have been making fizzy bubbles for over 100 years now and their aim is simple, allowing people to make fizzy drinks in their own homes and saving the planet in the process. One SodaStream bottle can save up to thousands of single use plastic bottles, so is the perfect swap this Plastic Free July.

The Sodastream Art is a stunning machine with its sleek black housing and looks great in the kitchen. I was a little disappointed that the machine didn’t come with any syrups so until I could get to the shops, we just made fizzy water and added it to cordial which is a great way to get children (and adults) to drink more water. When I went shopping, I discovered our local supermarket stocked the Pepsi Max and 7Up , so I picked a bottle of each, much to the delight of my sons!

We were really impressed with the flavours of the syrups and the thing I liked most was each drink can be made fresh, so they are always fizzy. Normally once you open a 2l bottle you really need to drink it the same day, otherwise it quickly goes flat but with SodaStream each drink can be made fresh and you can even control the fizz, making your drink lightly sparkling to super fizzy.

The C02 cylinder that comes with the machine holds enough gas to make 60 litres of sparkling drinks and refills are available from the Sodastream website.

Staying hydrated has never been easier and when it’s hot why not liven up your drinks with plenty of ice and a slice of lemon or lime.