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Dry January may be over, but it’s clear to us that the non-alcoholic beverage scene isn’t going anywhere. If you’re sober (or even sober-curious like me), you’ve probably spent hours on end scouring the internet for half-decent N/A drinks. From liquor to wine, it feels like some of the substitutes out there just aren’t as good as the real thing, which can be really frustrating when you’re trying to make a lifestyle shift. Why shouldn’t you have your cake booze and drink it too?
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Made for Mindful Indulgence
De Soi (pronounced de-swa), a new non-alcoholic apéritif brand, agrees that you shouldn’t compromise taste and feel when searching for an N/A drink. This is precisely why founders Katy Perry (yeah, that Katy Perry) and Morgan McLachlan decided to team up and create the brand. These busy moms and professionals knew that there was a need for a sparkling, fun drink made of better-for-you ingredients that doesn’t leave you driving the struggle bus the morning after.
We got to hear from co-founder Morgan McLachlan about what led her to starting the brand with Perry. Prior to De Soi, she racked up quite the distilling resume, boasting over 15 years experience, and having co-founded Amass Brands a few years ago. She told us her focus “has primarily been on botanical-based spirits and fruit distillates, having distilled everything from cantaloupes into eau-de-vie, to terroir-driven gins.” De Soi, then, was born out of the combination of her professional experience, as well as her “sincere interest in plants” and the idea that you “can do something nice for yourself like enjoying a pleasurable ritual without alcohol.” Sign us up for that, Morgan!
Drinks Direct to Your Door
The brand currently offers 3 different flavor varieties of their apéritif: Golden Hour, Purple Lune, and Champignon Dreams. Depending on your plans, each flavor is available in cans ($25/4 cans) or in bottles ($25/each). Personally, I find something so special in the act of opening a bottle of wine, so I went that route. That being said, I can imagine the cans would be incredibly convenient for picnics, day trips, or dinner parties.
I’m pretty impatient when it comes to ordering things online, so I was pleasantly surprised when the drinks arrived within a few days. I was so excited to open the box, largely because I was excited to taste test these unique drinks, but also because the branding is gorgeous. The simple font and shapes, along with the bold, exciting color combinations of each bottle made me want to dive right into the beverage!
Chill Mode = Activated
If you’re not familiar with apéritifs, allow me the pleasure of introducing you. Apéritifs, or aperitivos in Italian, are “bittersweet botanical beverages meant for sipping slowly pre-dinner.” Although they are typically low-ABV to begin with, even lower alcohol volumes aren’t an option for everyone. De Soi is 100% non-alcoholic, meaning it is the perfect option for anyone wanting to enjoy “a long night followed by an early morning.”
I was concerned that I’d miss the relaxation I get with a glass of wine at night or with dinner when drinking De Soi. De Soi, however, already thought of this when formulating the drink. Instead of alcohol, they’ve utilized adaptogens, which are mind-mellowing botanicals that help you relax and enjoy your night. Whether you’re chilling on the couch solo or attending a swanky dinner party at a pal’s, you won’t miss the alcohol one bit. I love the chill vibes the adaptogens give. It’s just enough to loosen up, but not enough to feel even close to out of control or not like yourself.
In terms of taste, they’re spot on with alcoholic apéritifs – but with better-for-you ingredients. I can’t describe the taste of Purple Lune better than their website does, calling it “rich and delicate, with notes of blackberry nectar, vanilla oak, and rose petals. Complex, but not exhausting.” Complex, but not exhausting… so good and so true. On top of a smooth dark fruit taste, the light bubbles add a little bit of an unexpected surprise, but not enough to distract from the flavor profile.
I brought the Champignon Dreams bottle over to my very pregnant sister’s house for dinner and it was a hit! We enjoyed picking up the different flavors and calling out what the flavors reminded us of. This one, we decided, tasted like the coolest hipsters in your life – as if you were to put your favorite vintage record store in drink format.
Floral Fun for Everyone
When we asked McLachlan what excites her about De Soi’s future, she described looking forward “to continuing to grow De Soi as a brand, as an inclusive and empowering option for anyone who wants a sensual, celebratory drinking experience, without the hangover – or FOMO.” As if that wasn’t exciting enough, she spilled that they’ll be launching a new flavor very soon! We can’t wait.
Whether you’re sober/sober-curious or just want to have a good night without a rough morning, De Soi provides a clean, unique drink made for everyone. The botanicals are sure to spark curiosity and conversation wherever you bring it. You’ll find yourself reaching for the bottle again and again – and with zero alcohol and very few calories, you can keep it flowing all night long.
5 More Reasons to Love De Soi:
- Ordering just two bottles gets you free shipping – my two favorite words!
- All 3 flavors are both gluten free and vegan, meaning it’s safe to bring to any party and for everyone to enjoy.
- At just 30 calories per glass, it’s a fraction of the calories of an alcoholic apéritif or a glass of wine, making it an even easier switch.
- De Soi puts a heavy emphasis on sustainability. The cans are highly recyclable with the label removed and the bottles are 100% recyclable due to the organic inks used on the labels.
- Have to have your fix? De Soi gets it. They offer an optional subscription model for cheaper prices and reliable delivery for you.
Get your mindful indulgence on with De Soi.
