Abstinence Lemon Non Alcoholic Aperitif distilled in South Africa – 75cl

Spurred on by the results of a protracted period of experimentation that started at Christmas (it's May as I write this!) we've spent the last few months in this house trying some of the wackier alcoholic offerings available on Amazon (peanut butter Sheep Dog/various bitters/lemon sherbert vodka liqueur, you name it...). Sadly for my waistline and my pocket, most have been WAY MORE than palatable as a result of which I really needed to find something that delivered the joy but without the alcohol and the price-tag, all these months later. This product was that thing. At £10:99 it was certainly cheaper, but would it deliver on the taste front enough to satisfy this out and out Foodie? Well, yes, absolutely it did. The syrup is thinner and less sickly sweet than feared (yay!) but without meaning to put you off in any way it looks for all the world like a bottle of pee due to the pale yellow, everso slightly cloudy, look of the stuff, which is doing it a HUGE diservice! Don't let that put you off or you'll be missing out. The label is quite attractive and features all the botanicals which the AI gizmo on here advises includes lemon, blackcurrant (the leaves I suspect, as there's no trace of the fruit here), aloe and African wormwood. Coz it looks pretty a bottle of this stuff would make quite the acceptable gift if you were so minded, I think. All those botanicals makes for a satisfyingly adult bitter, but refreshing, kick. I mixed it with a squirt of Jif lemon ( I know, I know......!) and topped it up with plain old fizzy spring water. Delish! The ingredients are water, cane sugar, those aforementioned botanicals, natural flavouring, quinine, citric acid, beta carotene for colour, caramel and two preservatives - sodium sorbate and sodium benzoate. I normally try and avoid too many E-numbers and nasties but in this case I would happily put up with the preservatives to have this again - soon. It's vegan friendly too, apparently. .

Despite other reviews I found this rather nice. A bit sweet but still has a kick so good with tonic and slices of lemon.

It tastes like lemoncello with a sharp zingy taste and kick. Perhaps one of the best zero alcohol dri ks I've tried. And I've tried them all believe me.

A bitter sweet aperitif, strong lemon and lemon zest flavour. Grown up drink with overtones resembling tonic water but not as complex and refreshing as non- alcoholic Martini

Sadly this wasn’t what I was expecting. I had a limoncello alcohol free substitute in mind and this definitely isn’t

Absolutely love this- it’s fabulous with soda water over ice, added to Nosecco for a beautiful alcohol free cocktail and with tonic water fir a refreshing grownup summer drink.

Honestly this was completely grim! Purchased as a shot substitution for Limoncello for wedding guests who were under age or non-drinkers. It was frankly un-drinkable. Hideous. Hateful. Vile. I would not recommend this. Ended up using lemon barley squash instead.

Good taste and alcohol free - at an excellent price - but if you are buying for a heathier lifestyle, note it is very high in sugar - 22g per 100ml.

In der Nase sehr zitronig, aber enttäuschend im Geschmack. Eine Limo hat mehr Geschmack.

I was looking for something to approximate a cocktail as I don't drink alcohol. This is the best one I found so far! Very much like an Amaro from Italy, bitter and herbaceous, and not very sweet. I like it over ice with a little lemonade added. Makes a wonderful cocktail for those who don't drink/can't drink alcohol!

Strong & bitter lemon taste. I prefer one 1.5 oz mixed with Tonic, sparkling lemonade, or Fever Tree lemon with ice. Refrigerate bottle after opening. Drink within one week, or so.

Very tasty & great substitute.

I was somewhat disappointed with the flavor. It’s worth a try because the doctor recommended not drinking alcohol due to health issues.