In the picturesque heart of France, where the Alps unfurl their majesty, a region renowned for the centuries-old craft of spirit distillation, Sober Spirits has set out to redefine the future of non-alcoholic beverages. This distillery, a silent witness to over 145 years of history, stands as one of France's oldest distilleries, safeguarding the closely-guarded secrets of spirit distillation techniques.

The Story Began in the Kitchen...

Learning the Art of Distillation from Scratch and Crafting Amazing "Kitchen" Recipes

The Sober Spirits journey commenced with a global odyssey into the world of spirits. Calixte, the visionary behind Sober Spirits, embarked on a quest to map the vast array of aromas and flavors he sought to replicate in his products. Armed with this sensory atlas, he purchased a humble distiller to dive headfirst into the art of distillation, meticulously experimenting in his very own kitchen. Armed with pipettes, syringes, a touch of audacity, and a long list of ingredients, Calixte had but one goal - to create the ultimate alcohol-free alternative for cocktails.

But it took more than just creativity…

From a Real Spirit to the 0.0% Version

Breaking the Codes and Innovating Where None Dared

Calixte initiated his journey with a simple principle: "If we desire true alternatives to spirits, why not begin with actual spirits?" Thus, the core of Sober Spirits' identity was born – the extraction of alcohol.

Take, for instance, SoberRum 0.0%, their alcohol-free rum alternative. After the initial distillation of real French Caribbean rum, emerging from a still at a scorching 70 degrees, the spirit makes its way to Grasse, the world's perfume capital in southern France. Here, a remarkable process extracts the alcohol from the spirit. This extraction technique, involving heating, pressure systems, and thermal shocks, segregates the taste (reserved for Sober 0.0% spirits) from the pure ethanol. This intricate process, although expensive, yields minimal raw material for Sober Spirits but recycles ethanol into the high-end perfume industry.

Image Source: Sober Spirits

But It Was Necessary to Go Even Further in the Technique

Enhancing Aromatics to Create an Uncompromised Cocktail Experience

While the extracted alcohol was impressive, something was missing - a touch of flair. In addition to their signature alcohol extraction, Calixte sought to enrich their products through infusions, macerations, or complementary distillations tailored to each product. These additional processes added body, intensity, finesse, and a heightened aromatic complexity by incorporating a diverse range of plants, barks, and fruits, ensuring an unparalleled cocktail experience with every sip.

It was only after two years of relentless research and development, hundreds of distillation tests, the creation of new alcohol extraction techniques, infusions, and persistent inquiries into technical feasibility that Sober Spirits was born.

Tradition at the Heart of R&D and Innovation at the Service of Taste

Adapting the "Kitchen" Recipe into High-Volume Production

The passionate master distiller at Sober Spirits, wielding decades of expertise, now produces their entire range using a secret process honed through countless real-world trials. This complex production process spans several days and employs nearly half a dozen different techniques, with the core being alcohol extraction and distillation in century-old copper stills. Their technical prowess, mastery of process duration, precise heating temperatures, and judicious supplier selection enable them to unlock the full aromatic potential of their raw materials - the key to Sober Spirits' range and the unforgettable experience it offers.

Image Source: Sober Spirits

Sober Spirits is a testament to the harmonious union of age-old tradition and cutting-edge innovation, a distillery where history and innovation coalesce to create the future of non-alcoholic spirits, one sip at a time.

Sober Spirits Sober-Whisky 0.0%  achieved the best score at the 2023 London Spirits Competition making it Non Alcoholic Of The Year & Gold with a score of 92 points.

A non alcoholic spirit with flavors and aromas of cinnamon, marzipan, almond and cookie on nose and palate with a creamy aftertaste and a fuller body.