Ghia
Well, this is certainly something different. Ghia, an alcohol-free apéritif is from the US and made with natural extracts designed to perk the body and soothe the soul.
Created by Melanie Masarin, she got inspiration from her childhood spent around the Mediterranean and wanted to bring the vibe to her drinks. Ghia brings a unique tasting experience to the world of non-alcoholic drinks by blending the likes of Riesling grape juice, fig, elderflower, yuzu, orange peel and many herbs.
This alcohol-free aperitif is best drunk with a tonic/ mixer to complete the complex flavour-profile. As you can see I had a glass of Ghia mixed with a Fever Tree tonic and ice.
So was this aperitif worthy of a place at the Dry bar? Well, you’ll just need to read the review below to find out.
Is Ghia any good?
Taste
Well this is certainly a refreshing and bitter drink and exactly what I am looking for when it comes to aperitifs. When I first tasted it I got an immediate hit of bitterness but it was quickly balanced out by the sweet and tart flavours. For me, the ginger taste took centre stage with supporting acts from rosemary and elderflower. When I did try it neat it was a bit too overpowering but when I added the tonic, it provided the light carbonation and subtle quinine kick that helped to bring all the elements together. Overall a cleverly crafted concoction that is deserved of its praise.
Aroma & Appearance
When you release the corked cap you get an immediate hit of urban ginger – powerful and fiery – giving your tongue a warning shot of what to expect. In the glass Ghia’s aperitif has an attractive cloudy, rouge colour.
Bonus points
As mentioned Ghia is made up of all sorts of ingredients to help soothe the soul and as such has no artificial flavours, added sugars, caffeine and is suitable for vegans and those who are gluten intolerant. Also, let’s talk about the packaging. I mean look at it. Pretty cool, from the 70s soft-porn font on the bottle to the creepy eye box it came in, they have really invested in the branding and design.
buy Ghia
Unfortunately for those living outside the USA this is a tricky drink to get hold of but they are hoping to increase distribution to other countries. Make sure you check out the GHIA site for more information.
If you are located in the USA or CANADA then check out the following online alcohol-free specialists. At the time of writing, you could purchase this drink from these companies but make sure you check availability and price.
Simply select from the following tabs to check price and availability.
GHIA has a dedicated online store where you can purchase a number of Ghia products from the aperitif I tried today to premixed cans. It’s a great site full of product and recipe info.
NANOBAR is one of the largest alcohol-free retailers in the US with a considerable choice from beers and cocktails to wine and spirits. NanoBar should certainly be a destination if you’re looking for this drink.
Key information
– per 44ml serving
Producer – GHIA
Country – USA
Alcohol content – 0%
Calories – 20
Ingredients –
Water, Reisling White Grape Juice Concentrate, Gentian Root Extract, Yuzu Juice, Lemon Balm Extract, Fig Concentrate, Elderflower Extract, Acacia, Orange Peel Extract, Rosemary Extract, Ginger Extract, Fruit and Vegetable Juice for Color,
Vegan friendly? – yes
Gluten-free? – yes
Availability – hard
“Drunkenness is nothing but voluntary madness.”
-Seneca, AD 50 BC
