About Time: You Discovered the Mindful Drinking Festival 2018By Amy Bonifas
Curious about the zero-alcohol drinking scene? The Mindful Drinking Festival is a one-day event on 28th July in Spitalfields and aims to change the way we think and feel about drinking. Entry is free and visitors can take part in alcohol-free drinks tastings, cocktail masterclasses and enjoy live music by local musicians in the square.
With one in five of us in the UK now teetotal and many more of us cutting down, co-founder of the festival Laura Willoughby is driving a new ‘mindful drinking movement’. “Whether it’s for health or fitness reasons, wanting to save money or perhaps just not feeling like alcohol that night, so many people are changing their drinking habits.It used to be that the only other option was a sugary soft drink, leaving non-drinkers feeling out of place and unsophisticated, but now there are so many brilliant, well-crafted alternatives out there.”
The festival brings all of these together so everyone can get in on the action. Here’s our top five tipples and experiences to try at year’s Mindful Drinking Festival:
1. The Botanical Winner: Fever-Tree + CEDER’s alt gin
Fever-Tree are partnering with seven new alcohol-free spirits (2018 is the year for botanicals according to Laura), including CEDER’S alt-gin and will be running VIP tastings at 1.30pm and 4.15pm, so you can try them all.
2. The Summer Cocktail: Punchy
Looking for something to fire up your tastebuds? Make sure you try Punchy – a fiery peach and ginger ‘rum punch’ with zero alcohol. It’s vegan, gluten-free, and pretty much the perfect drink for a sunny day in Spitalfields.
3. The Good Brew: Heineken 0.0
Heineken’s new 0.0 beer is the brand’s first zero-alcohol drink. It’s brewed from scratch and has a fruity and softly malty flavour that stands out in its own right (trust us). Head to the square to meet master brewer Willem van Waesberghe and buff up on your beer knowledge.
4. Vegan Delights: Redemption Bar
Redemption Bar, with its plant-based feel-good menu, has already caused a stir with its pioneering crowdfunding bid and is set to launch two more London restaurants. So when you get peckish, keep an eye out for their tasty fruit and veg-packed food and find out what all the fuss is about.
Photo Credit: Claire Menary
5. Taste and Create With the Experts: Jane Peyton
Join award-winning beer sommelier Jane Peyton from 12pm -1.15pm for a whistle-stop tour of the best zero-alcohol brews or head to Be At One Bar at 3pm, 4pm or 5pm for a cocktail masterclass with top mixologists. There’s even the chance to ask a Drink Coach in the fortune-telling tent what your future with less alcohol could look like.
For more information on the Mindful Drinking Festival, visit the website here.
