Each year, more and more Australians are embracing Dry July. Whatever the purpose for your month off alcohol, the health benefits of abstaining remain the same. Giving up alcohol for five weeks can have the following benefits: Improved quality of sleep, increase wakefulness, enhanced work performance and improved concentration. You may also lose weight, decrease your cholesterol, lower blood glucose and decrease liver fat.
Making it possible for Australians to enjoy their wine moments, just without the alcohol, McGuigan’s – one of Australia’s biggest sellers of no-alcohol wines – has created some Dry July cocktails to share with friends.
Nulled Wine
Makes 8-10
- 1 x bottle of McGuigan Zero Shiraz or McGuigan Zero Red Blend
- 2 cups of cranberry juice
- 8 cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 star anise
- 1 orange sliced
- Brown sugar to taste (if added sweetness is desired)
- Add all ingredients to a large saucepan and bring to a very low boil on medium-high heat.
- Turn heat to low and steam for 20-30 minutes (can leave up to 1 hour if you’ve got more time).
- Strain, or remove orange slices and spices.
- Pour into a mug and add garnish.
Saintly Spritz
Makes 1
- 120ml McGuigan Rosé or McGuigan Sparkling Rosé
- 30ml lemonade
- Mint, to garnish
- Lemon slice, to garnish
- Red berries, to garnish
Add all ingredients to a glass over ice, stir and enjoy!
Rosé Mimosa
Makes 8
Syrup:
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup water
Cocktail:
- 1 bottle McGuigan Rosé
- ½ bottle McGuigan Zero Sparkling
- 8 rosemary sprigs, to garnish
- Pomegranate seeds, to garnish
- In a small saucepan bring the sugar and water to a boil, simmer for 5 minutes until dissolved.
- Cool and mix in the McGuigan Zero Rosé, then freeze in a loaf pan, breaking up occasionally until frozen solid.
- Process in batches in a food processor until smooth, then freeze again until firm.
- Scoop into coupe glasses and top off with McGuigan Zero Sparkling.
