The De Soi, pronounced /de swa/, brand was created by two creative professionals who are busy moms. Katy Perry, the singer-songwriter, is one of those moms. They shared a love for a spritz but wanted something that wouldn’t impact their early mornings or long nights. Creating something focused on plants and feel-good adaptogens was on their list. The result is a line of non-alcoholic aperitifs. These are ready to sip, contain no artificial colors or flavors, and are gluten-free as well as alcohol-free (0% ABV).
My review is for the Champignon Dreams flavor, which does not appear as an available product on their website at the time of this post but is available on Amazon and elsewhere. Their website does include this flavor in a cocktail recipe, however. It is promoted as having the adaptogen benefits of passion flower, reishi mushrooms, and L-theanine and flavor notes of “jammy fruit.” I tried this poured into a champagne flute. Before my first sip, I smelled the aroma of tomatoes. The best way to describe the taste is ‘earthy.’ I tasted a hint of tomatoes with fruit. And the vinegar base was quite apparent. It had good carbonation after pouring from the bottle – not too fizzy. When using vinegar in a beverage, it is challenging to balance it with other flavors, and the vinegar can often overpower the drink. If you typically like shrubs, you may enjoy this flavor of Dei Soi.
While I didn’t try their cocktail recipes, I read through those suggested for Champignon Dreams. I have to say, I wouldn’t consider these recipes. For example, to make a “Strawberry Feels”, you merely pour the non-alcoholic aperitif into a pretty glass and garnish with grapefruit peel and a slice of strawberry. If you’re going to take the time to offer cocktail recipes, it seems you should get a bit more creative and offer measured specifics worth trying.
HAPPY EVERY HOUR: Welcome to the new hub of all things NA, featuring reviews on non-alcoholic craft beers, wines, ciders, spirits, RTDs (ready-to-drink), and recipes. Discover a bit more education or get the NA Cocktail Party started with our curated reviews, how-to’s, and activation bar ideas.
TRIGGER WARNING: People in early sobriety may want to proceed with caution. Always read labels. Please hydrate responsibly … because drunk never looks good.
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