Lyres Non-Alcoholic Premix Cans - Entire range reviewed!
Taste testing and reviewing the entire range of Lyre’s non-alcoholic premixed RTD’s
So Lyre’s. If you haven’t heard of them, they are the worlds most awarded non-alcoholic spirit brand and recently had the business valued at £270m, on target to become the fastest indie drinks group to achieve unicorn status, which would value it at $1bn (£741m).
Those numbers exist for a reason. They are a great brand producing great drinks within the non-alcoholic category.
Recently, they have released their ready to drink range. Mixing there core non-alcoholic spirits with mixers in premixed, slender and beautifully designed cans. Today, I will be reviewing the entirety of that range.
Before I jump into this review of Lyre’s new to the market ready to drink range. Let me just explain how this came about. I’ve recently been doing work for the brand creating content. They sent me all the cans in there range as a separate gifting for me to do whatever I like with.
So being upfront, yes, I do receive money from the brand. But it’s got nothing to do with the cans and so it opens me up to do a full unbiased review! result.
American Malt & Cola
Lyre's American Malt & cola is the non-alcoholic homage to the iconic Whiskey Coke serve. A crafted blend of classic flavours, evoking notes of oak, vanilla, rye & spice.
My big question with this one was “Will it just taste like cola?” because lets face it, spirits have big flavours that are able to punch through all that sweetness of a mixer to create that balanced serve we love to sip on. Without the alcohol in the mix, is it still going to be able to create that balance? or will it just taste like coke.
I can confirm that after having a few of these, it definitely does not just taste like coke! There’s a kick from the American Malt that I can only assume comes from some kind of pepper in the mix. Whatever it is, it works. There’s a sweetness present however its not overly or sickly sweet. If you’ve ever had Fever Tree’s Madagascan cola, that’s what its like with a bit of a kick. That’s probably the best way I can describe it.
If you served it to me as a whisky coke, would I be able to tell the difference? Maybe, just a little bit. If you told me it was a single whisky coke then I defiantly would not taste the difference.
Over all on a scale of 1-10. As far as does it taste like a whiskey coke, I’d have to give it a 6/10. As far as flavour goes and how does it taste in its own right. I’d give it a 9/10.
Overall, I’d have to rate this one a 8/10. It’s a delicious alternative to a boozy premix and something that I’d just love to drink instead of regular cola.
Dark ‘N Spicy
A combination of Lyre's Spiced Cane, Lyre's Dark Cane, ginger and lime zest is a non-alcoholic homage to the iconic Dark and Stormy. A crafted blend of classic flavours, evoking notes of ginger, lime, toffee & spice. Libations!
Now for some reason, I originally thought this was a Rum and Coke premix. I was quite excited to pair it against the American Malt and Cola. See how they differ. But alas, It’s not a Rum and Coke, its a Rum and Ginger. Obviously, Dark ’N Spicy.
So I really did go into this one not knowing what to expect. I have to say, I was quite pleased. There was a worry with this that because Ginger is such a big flavour, There is no way a Non-alcoholic rum substitute would come through. However, that it did. Once again I suspect there is some pepper in the mix here giving that Rum the “alcohol like kick”. Whatever it is they are doing over at Lyre’s, its working.
With that being said, I’d have to rate the substitution as a 9/10. For the flavour, a 8/10.
Overly rating - 9/10
Amalfi Spritz
Lyre’s Amalfi Spritz is a unique blend of Lyre’s Italian Spritz “liqueur” with there Classico flavour to create a beverage that tastes just like an Italian Spritz.
I have to say, this is by far my favourite in the range. Not just in the Lyre’s range, but in the range of Non-alcoholic drinks as a total.
The look is a vibrant orange colour similar to a well made Aperol spritz, which carries through with the flavour. Flavour wise it taste much like an Aperol Spritz as well. With bitter notes of zesty orange and citrus.
Pouring this can out into a wine glass with ice probably made the best Italian styled spritz I’ve ever had. Alcoholic and non Alcoholic. The flavour is incredible! It taste just like an alcoholic Sprtiz, so when you find out its completely non-alcoholic, it just makes it perfect because it means I can drink them all day none stop without having an alcohol problem.
Truth be told, after filming the review video, I went on to have one with my dinner. I’m even having one now whilst I write this.
Overall rating - An easy 1000/10 on all levels.
G&T
Lyre’s G&T is Lyre’s answer to sober gin and tonic. Pairing there non-alcoholic London Dry Gin with Tonic to create a well balanced non-alcoholic Gin and Tonic.
Now, in my time as the mindful_mixologist and non-alcoholic promoter, I’ve seen quite a lot of non-alcoholic substitutes for the classic G&T. This by far is one of the best.
As far as a substitute goes for the real thing, it performs well, tasting just like a gin and tonic. Flavour wise it’s delicious. It can almost taste a hint of orange or even a Mediterranean Tonic water with a nice balance of Juniper.
Overall rating 9/10
Classico
Crafted to capture the essence of a sparkling wine as an aperitif with flavours that are distinct & contemporary.
Substitution wise, this is much closer to a Prosecco styled sparkling wine. But by no means a complete substitution. As an alternative it performs well. I love the flavour and the carbonation levels..
Would I drink this canned sparkling premix in replacement for popping a bottle of bubbly? Probably not. But would I drink it as a delicious non-alcoholic beverage in it’s own right? Absolutely.
Overall rating - 7/10
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