By Jed Lanyon
A new non-alcoholic spirit made from botanical ingredients of the Yarra Valley is marked as an alternative to alcohol this Dry July.
Banks Botanicals is an award winning distilled organic spirit that’s causing a stir by winning a silver medal at the London Spirits Awards in April and was then named the Regional Alcohol-Free Producer of the Year at the New York International Spirit Competition.
Banks is a celebration of Australian flavour. Named in honour of the Banksia, the non-alcoholic spirit combines mountain-fresh Yarra Valley water with five distinctive ingredients – cassia, lemon myrtle, lime, wattleseed and pepperberry.
The five carefully selected botanicals each have their own unique flavour: wattleseed with its nutty rich aroma, lemon myrtle and its fresh citrus notes, limes for their floral citrus flavour, cassia’s cinnamon sweetness, and the spice of pepperberries.
The arrival of Banks Botanicals confirms increasing international interest in, and demand for, non-alcoholic alternatives, according to Banks’ co-founder Yolanda Uys.
“We are aware that more people are looking for a drink that is sophisticated, non-alcoholic and taste-driven, yet still allows all of us to be part of the mix. Whether it is mixing it up with friends midweek. or mixing in a big day out today with a big day coming up tomorrow, they want to enjoy the best of spirits while being part of the moment.”
The arrival of Banks Botanicals corresponds with a new wave of interest in non-alcoholic products. The 2021 IWSR Drinks Market Analysis found no and low-alcohol volume in Australia increased by 2.9 per cent last year and is expected to grow by 16 per cent in the next three years.
“The post-Pandemic impact has accelerated the demand for non-alcoholic drinks with the category now being one of the fastest growing categories in the drinks industry,” Ms Uys said.
