Waarom veel non-alcoholische spirits niet puur gedronken kunnen worden

Why many non-alcoholic spirits can't be drunk neat

If you are used to tasting alcoholic spirits, you probably expect that you can also drink non-alcoholic spirits neat. But those who try this are often disappointed. The taste is intense, sharp and lingers for a long time. This raises the question: why can many non-alcoholic spirits not be drunk neat? In this blog we explain.

1. The role of essential oils

The secret behind the complex flavour of non-alcoholic spirits lies in the essential oils. These oils are extracted from botanicals such as juniper berries, citrus fruits, herbs and spices. They give the drinks their aromas and flavours, just like traditional gin, vermouth or liqueur.

At NUDO, for example, botanicals such as rangpur, rose, hibiscus, bitter orange, rhubarb, gentian, cinchona bark and ginger are used. These botanicals all contain essential oils that contribute to the characteristic flavours of NUDO's Ginepro, Ginepro Rosa and Spritz varieties.

2. The difference between water and alcohol

A key difference between alcoholic and non-alcoholic spirits is the use of water instead of alcohol as a base. Alcohol has a high volatility, meaning it evaporates easily at room temperature or in the mouth. This allows aromas and flavors to be released quickly when you take a sip. The warmth of your body in your mouth accelerates this process.

Water, on the other hand, is less volatile. This means that the aromas and flavors are not spontaneously released at room temperature or through body heat in your mouth. This allows the essential oils to remain “trapped” in the liquid for longer, resulting in an intense flavor that lasts longer.

3. The concentration of flavors

Because non-alcoholic spirits are usually mixed with mixers such as tonic, sparkling water or ginger ale, the flavours need to be much more intense. The reason is simple: if the flavour is too weak, it will be lost when diluted with a mixer. Therefore, the botanicals are extracted with much more intensity than in a traditional alcoholic beverage.

This explains why non-alcoholic spirits, such as NUDO, often taste too strong when pure. The high concentration of flavours, aromas and essential oils is perfectly balanced when mixed with tonic (for NUDO Ginepros) or ginger ale or ginger beer (for NUDO Spritz). However, drinking it pure leads to a taste experience that is too intense and lingers too long.

4. The effect of essential oils in the mouth

Essential oils react to body heat. In alcoholic beverages, in which the essential oils are combined with alcohol, the aromas are released directly in the mouth by the heat. This happens within a few seconds.

In a non-alcoholic spirit, the situation is different. Because the essential oils are dissolved in water, they need more time to be released. This means that the taste is experienced later and longer, which leads to a more intense and long-lasting aftertaste. This is not a fault, but a characteristic of the drink. Mixing it with tonic or sparkling water balances the taste better.

5. Why are non-alcoholic spirits called 'spirits'?

The use of the term 'spirits' for non-alcoholic drinks sometimes leads to confusion. Traditional alcoholic spirits such as gin, whisky or rum are often tasted pure to discover the full flavour experience. The idea is that with a pure tasting you taste the true essence of the drink.

Non-alcoholic spirits, such as NUDO, follow a different principle. Although they share the same name ‘spirit’, they are designed to be mixed. The intensity of the flavour and the presence of essential oils make them unpleasant to drink neat. However, this intensity provides a perfectly balanced experience when combined with a mixer.

6. How do you drink non-alcoholic spirits?

Non-alcoholic spirits are specially designed for mixing. The best combinations for NUDO are:

  • NUDO Ginepro : Perfect in combination with tonic and a slice of lime. The tonic helps to soften the intense flavours and balances the herbal and citrus notes.

  • NUDO Ginepro Rosa : This combines beautifully with a fruity tonic or a light sparkling drink, garnished with fresh fruit such as strawberry or raspberry.

  • NUDO Spritz : The ideal combination is with ginger ale or ginger beer. The spicy ginger notes enhance the natural bitterness of the Spritz and give it a fresh, sparkling kick.

The idea is to open up the flavour by mixing it with a drink that helps release the essential oils, making the taste experience much more pleasant, complex and balanced.

Conclusion

Non-alcoholic spirits, such as NUDO, cannot be drunk neat due to the high concentration of essential oils, the use of water instead of alcohol and the need for more intense flavours to mix. Water is less volatile than alcohol, which means the aromas are not released spontaneously. Mixing with tonic, sparkling water or ginger ale brings the flavours to life.

Using the term “spirits” for these drinks can be confusing. But in reality, non-alcoholic spirits are designed to be mixed, not drunk neat. And that’s not a bad thing — it’s an opportunity to experiment with new flavors and combinations.

So next time you open a bottle of NUDO, you’ll know exactly why you need tonic, ginger ale or sparkling water with it. And you’ll know that by mixing, you’re harnessing the true power of the essential oils and botanicals.

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