Non-alcoholic drinks are having a moment. It feels like barely a day goes by without another non-alcoholic 'spirit' being released.
However, while you might want a change to alcohol, you might not want an imitator.
Alongside the many non-alcoholic spirits, we've also seen a bit of a boom in the world of fancy soft drinks.
Of course there's the usual Cokes and juices, but now we're seeing more shrubs and drinking vinegars and interesting cordials.
Speaking of, we recently tried Gimber. And we are fans.
What is Gimber?
Gimber is basically a really fancy cordial, with a serious kick. The ingredients are ginger, lemons, cane sugar, herbs and spices. One of the key compounds found in ginger is gingerol, which not only activates spice receptors on the tongue but apparently has also been found to have restorative properties. Some of the benefits that have been linked to gingerol include anti-inflammation, relieving muscle soreness, reducing stress, alleviating nausea and boosting the immune system.
The name comes from a blend of 'ginger' in Dutch, French and English: gember, gingembre and of course, ginger.
It came about when founder Dimitri Oosterlynck was fed up of constantly drinking alcohol, or something boring or sugary. He couldn't find what he was looking for, so created something entirely new. It all started in 2017, and has been growing since then.
How do you drink Gimber?
In any number of ways. The 'perfect serve' is 30ml of Gimber mixed with 200ml of sparkling water. That will get you a seriously refreshing drink with a spicy kick. It's warming and zesty. The overriding flavour is of course ginger (at least 38% of Gimber is made with high-quality organic ginger), but you do pick up other herbs and spices too, as well as a citrussy note.
You can also swap you G(in) for G(imber) in your G&T. Add 30ml of Gimber to 200ml of tonic and finish off with a sprig of rosemary.
You can use Gimber in your smoothies...
Fancy a blast of ginger energy with your breakfast? Try this Ginger Pear Smoothie.
Ingredients:
3 pears
1 lime
500ml soy milk
30ml Gimber
Optional: Chocolate chips/lime zest to top
Instructions:
Blend everything together
Serve with grated chocolate and lime zest
You can add Gimber to cocktails...
This cocktail recipe is also non-alcoholic, but if you want to turn your mocktail into a cocktail, swap the Everleaf for gin, white rum or tequila blanco.
Ingredients:
30ml Everleaf aperitif
15ml Gimber ginger
1tsp honey water
Top with ginger beer
Garnish with orange wheels
You can even use Gimber as an ingredient in your cooking
Dress with a mix of 1tsp Gimber, 20ml olive oil, salt and pepper.
Where can you buy Gimber?
You can buy it direct online (with a 20% discount for your first order) or from the likes of Daylesford, Selfridges, Whole Foods Market, Planet Organic, Dorchester Collection and Harvey Nichols.
It costs £2.99 for 20ml, £14.95 for 200ml, £24.50 for 500ml, and £27.90 for 700ml.
