Alcohol was developed thousands of years ago -and it feels it. Struggling to keep up with the negative effects on mind and body, people are looking for natural alternatives. And Three Spirit are leading the way with botanical alchemy.
What is it?
After years spent in libraries, labs, bars and fields, Three Spirit has created plant-based alternatives to alcohol that celebrate what you put into a drink, rather than what you take out. ‘Non-alcoholic’ or ‘Alcohol-free’ are terms focusing on what is missing. Botanical Alchemy is a term that puts the focus back on what goes in. These drinks are not an imitation of booze but their own unique taste and function.
Botanical Alchemy
Three Spirit extracts the active compounds from over 60 high grade, ethically sourced plant ingredients. This B-corp does this with a plethora of processes such a maceration, fermentation, distillation, reverse osmosis, freeze-drying, ultrasonic extraction – whatever it takes to harness the full potential of each plant ingredient.
For instance, Three Spirit use dry powdered extracts of high-grade cacao in Social Elixir , which allows them to extract the maximum amount of theobromine, the active compound in the plant that is of most interest, thought to promote positive mood and energy. In some cases, the team use ethanol to extract the flavor and functional compounds out of the plant matter. This method is often best for pulling delicate flavors and non-water soluble material from the plant. This method is used for plants such as lemon balm in Nightcap.
Essentially, there is a far greater process going on to create healthier alcohol alternatives, and this research and development is paying off. Alongside some of the UK’s top universities, Three Spirit had their first peer-reviewed paper on the potential benefits of myrcene, found in Hüll Melon hops in their Nightcap, published in Frontiers in Nutrition.
How will I feel?
It depends on the drink! Three Spirit have designed a trio of spirits to take you through the night. Livener is the perfect pre-drink thanks to the invigorating guayusa, guava leaf and schisandra berries. Social Elixir is the mood elevator and perfect social companion, containing lion’s mane mushroom, damiana and cacao. Finally, you can wind down with Nightcap, with its dreamy valerian root and hüll melon hops and lemon balm.
Three Spirit have also recently launched wine alternatives, Blurred Vines.
The reviews are in
Having been awarded 29 medals since 2020, from the San Francisco World Spirit Competition to the IWSC awards, Three Spirit spirit and wine alternatives are recognized for their depth of flavor and mouthfeel.
About Three Spirit
Three Spirit is a UK founded start-up available online in the US and UK, as well as global retailer Mayple. Local stockists including bars, restaurants and retail stores can be found on their website.
