Ritual Zero Proof Whiskey Alternative

December 8, 2022 Served: As part of a 10-way tasting (Parts 1-6) Bottle opened: 2 weeks prior Last tasted: Bourbon My evaluation is focused on its use in cocktails. Until a non-alcoholic spirit suitable for sipping neat is developed, my perspective remains unchanged. I am disregarding neat and on-the-rocks assessments. Overall Conclusion: An excellent option for bartenders offering non-alcoholic alternatives. Its moderate profile is both a strength and weakness. A 1:1 substitution in whiskey cocktails results in a decent, but not outstanding, drink. However, adding another flavor component, like bitters or a tincture, can elevate a cocktail significantly. Aroma: Latex, stone fruit, medicinal. 0/5 Flavors: 1. Neat: Smoky, spicy, sweet. Caramel, cotton candy, barbecue, and plums. Shows promise for mixing, but I'd decline if offered. 1/5 2. On the Rocks: Reduces the fruitiness, leaving smoke and spice. I prefer it slightly more this way. Conclusion: I wouldn't purchase this for myself and would only offer it to guests with a disclaimer. 2/5 3. Highball: Retains the smoke and spice, with diminished unpleasant notes. The flavor intensity is comparable to an oak-flavored sparkling water. It's pleasant but lacks the desired strength. Specification: 2oz Ritual, 4oz Schweppes Club Soda. Conclusion: I'd pay a few dollars for this or offer it to a friend. Suitable for home consumption but not ideal for bar service. It could be enhanced. 3/5 4. Old Fashioned: Significantly improved. It has a somewhat bubble-gum-like quality for my preference, but it pairs well with extra Angostura bitters and my standard 1/4oz of 50 Brix brown sugar syrup. I personally would prefer more spice for its lack of piquancy, but the smoke lingers pleasantly. Final Specification: 3ml (3-4 dashes) Angostura, 1 dash Bittermens Hellfire, 1/4oz syrup, 2oz Ritual Specification: 2 dashes Angostura, 1oz sweet vermouth, 2oz Ritual. Conclusion: I would gladly serve or order this at a bar. 4/5 5. Manhattan: I currently lack a non-alcoholic vermouth substitute, but I tested it with both Cocchi Storico and Mata Tinto. Both were unsatisfactory and would require extensive adjustments to be palatable. That's a project for another time. Conclusion: I would decline if offered. 1/5 6. Whiskey Sour: Provides a solid base for a simple structure but isn't the main focus. It results in a taste similar to a woody lemonade. However, this makes it a good candidate for incorporating other flavors. An accidental addition of thyme bitters actually made it resemble a cocktail. Specification: 2 drops saline, 3/4oz brown syrup, 1oz fresh lemon juice, 2oz Ritual Conclusion: I would serve or drink the plain version at home. 3/5 Would pay for or serve a modified version at a bar. 4/5

Look, this has about 0.5% ABV, practically the alcohol content of a ripe banana. So, realistically, you're not going to drink this straight, expecting it to replace your Talisker or Springbank. However, it does a decent job of mimicking whiskey in a cocktail. I typically have about one whiskey pour (3cl) per week, and the other nights I opt for kombucha or matcha green tea. I tried Seedlip once, and it was a terrible disappointment – possibly the most expensive bottled water globally. But I decided to give a non-alcoholic alternative another try... this time a whiskey substitute. (Seedlip is more of a gin alternative). I mixed 3 oz of this with 1/4 oz vermouth, a squeeze from half an orange, a few drops of Angostura bitters, added ice, and shook it. Frankly... it's not bad. It works much better in mixed drinks than Seedlip, especially considering its intended purpose as a whiskey alternative. Would I have this again...? Yes. When I tire of my Trader Joe's kombucha or matcha green tea, this will provide a nice change of pace. It won't replace my Friday or Saturday night whiskey dram, but that's not its goal.

The initial aroma is very sweet, which is unusual for a whiskey with strong cardamom and cinnamon notes. The first taste is like lightly flavored thick water with a syrup-like quality, featuring prominent notes of cinnamon, cardamom, and oak. It doesn't resemble a whiskey in flavor at all.

This is an utter disaster. It's awful on its own, ruined my coffee, and by the time you add enough ginger ale to make it palatable, you might as well have just had ginger ale. It tastes like sugar and chemicals, with cinnamon adding a sharp heat. I cannot recommend this.

Remarkable. When drunk straight, it has a peculiar taste, and the capsaicin on the finish is a bit intense, but it would certainly work well in a mixed drink. I particularly enjoy the subtle smokiness. I do wish the body had more complexity. As it stands, it might be lost in a cocktail.

Watery root beer with cinnamon spice, delivering a slight 'burn'. This will be a fun interim treat for my pregnant wife until she can enjoy the real thing again.