Looking to go on a booze-free bender this Sober October? Lyre’s non-alcoholic spirits offer everything you need for a fully stocked zero-proof bar. Founded in Australia in March 2019 and introduced to the States in November 2019, Lyre’s brings you 12 alcohol-free spirits that capture the essence and beauty of time-tested drinks.

Why Lyre’s? Similar to our goal here at The Sober Curator, Lyre’s wants to change the way the world drinks and give the freedom of choice. If you’ve chosen a sober lifestyle permanently or you just like to go dry for a few months out of the year, you’re bound to encounter a social situation where you’d like to join in on the fun. With Lyre’s, you can do that without compromising your healthy, sober lifestyle commitment, without guilt, without consequences, and without sacrificing taste.

Curious where the word Lyre’s came from? So were we! The name is inspired by the Australian Lyrebird, the world’s greatest mimic. You can find the Lyrebird mascot wearing a top hat on the necks of their bottles. The lyrebird can mimic other birdsong, as well as a wide range of sounds, including the sound of a mobile phone. Lyre’s believes its range is the world’s most successful non-alcoholic mimic of the classic spirit style.

Sober Curator PRO TIP: Lyre’s packaging and attention to detail on their labels are reason enough to shop for this brand! No spoiler alert here. You’ll have to check out their cleverness for yourself.

Several weeks ago, one of my best friends, Erin, and I decided to spend our Saturday participating in an alcohol-free tasting of various zero-proof recipes. I’m sober, and Erin is a “normie”. In sober circles, a “normie” is someone who can imbibe without consequence. We (and by “we” I mean me) thought it would be fun to taste test recipes and document our tasting notes based on how each drink worked with our individual palates.

Erin has a refined, sophisticated palate and owns all of the bar accessories we needed for this zero-proof mission. She also recently remodeled her kitchen, and it’s spacious and gorgeous. Exactly the kind of place you want to hang out on a gloomy Saturday afternoon in the Pacific NW.

Let’s just say in my drinking days, I never drank for the “taste,” and my skills in the kitchen (or behind the bar) are laughable at best. Over the last 14+ years, I’ve realized I enjoy eating and drinking things for the taste, especially when they’re prepared for me. My taste has refined over the years; my kitchen skills not so much.

LYRE’S MANHATTAN

VEGAN – EGG FREE- NUT FREE – GLUTEN FREE – DAIRY FREE – WHEAT FREE

The Manhattan is the Midnight Cowboy of cocktails (minus poor Dustin Hoffman kicking the bucket in the back of a Greyhound). Start with a hefty pour of American Malt – that’s the country boy trying to make his way in the Big Apple. Add some fruity, slightly bitter local ingredients, stir, and serve. “I’m drinkin’ here!”

INGREDIENTS:

60ml (2oz) Lyre’s American Malt
15ml (0.5oz) Lyre’s Apéritif Rosso
2 Dashes Aromatic Bitters
Maraschino Cherries

METHOD:

Stir briefly with ice, strain into glass.

GLASSWARE:

Martini Glass/ Small Coupette

Sober Curator PRO TIP: Glassware doesn’t have to be triggering! In this case, we sipped the Lyre’s Manhattan out of Erin’s favorite COLTS glasses. I correctly guessed that was a football team and felt pretty proud of myself. Erin is so patient with me. Do martini glasses freak you out? Don’t use them! Find something else. I love to thrift for super cool vintage glassware.

YOU CAN LEARN ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING ON YOUTUBE

Sign-up for the Lyre’s Booze-Free Month program for free and take advantage of a month full of non-alcoholic recipes, sober-curious articles, and intoxication discounts on the world’s most awarded range of un-spirited spirits!

HOW DOES IT WORK?

30 drinks for 30 days
Each week, you are sent a shopping list PLUS 5 recipes
Recreate your favourites on the weekend
Access to private mixology Zoom lessons
Access to discounts

A Disco Ball is Hundreds of Pieces of Broken Glass, Put Together to Make a Magical Ball of Light. You are NOT Broken, Friend. You are a DISCO BALL!

Resources Are Available

If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.