As Spring celebrations leap into action, St George’s Day reigns as one of the most important feast days in England. Celebrate the date in true British style, and discover the best non-alcoholic St George’s Day drinks to enjoy whilst flying the flag and making merriment around the Morris dancing pole this April.
What is St. George's Day?
St George's Day is a national day of celebration in England that honours the country's patron saint, Saint George. It occurs on the 23rd of April each year, which is believed to be the date of the Saint’s death and is marked by various festivities and traditions. The day holds historical and cultural significance, symbolising bravery, chivalry, and national identity.
A Brief History of the Patron Saint
The history of St George dates back to the 3rd century AD. He was a Roman soldier who became a Christian martyr after refusing to renounce his faith. St George's popularity grew in England during the Middle Ages, and he was eventually declared the country's patron saint in the 14th century. Traditionally, this date is a Christian celebration, as it is said that St George slayed an evil dragon but would only do so if the town converted to Christianity.
Is there a Traditional St George's Day Drink?
Yes, there is a traditional St George's Day drink called "Dragon's Blood." This crimson-coloured cocktail is made with a combination of gin, cherry liqueur, and cranberry juice, giving it a rich and vibrant flavour. It is often enjoyed during St George's Day celebrations as a nod to the legend of St George slaying the dragon.
Below you will find our list of top English non-alcoholic drinks and our fiery non-alcoholic alternative, ‘Dragon’s Breath.’ You will also discover other tasty, quintessential St George’s Day mocktails.
Top Non-Alcoholic Drinks for St. George's Day
England is home to a huge selection of non-alcoholic beers, spirits, and rose-tainted wines perfect for celebrating the patron saint of England. Below are some of our top picks.
Big Drop Alcohol-Free Beers - Brewed in Ipswich
Big Drop was launched in October 2019 and has been named one of three ‘Best Drink Producers’ by the BBC Food & Farming Awards. Rob Fink and his school friend James Kindred use over 20 types of speciality grains in their alcohol-free craft beer range to create smooth, well-rounded and satisfying blends. This includes their Pine Trail Pale Ale and Poolside DDH IPA, both of which won Gold at the 2024 World Alcohol-Free Awards.
CleanCo Non-Alcoholic Spirits - Based in London
CleanCo offers a range of non-alcoholic spirits in a botanical symphony of flavours. Founded by Spencer Matthews, who decided to go sober before his first child, this collection offers clean-cut, refined spirits without compromising taste. From clean, green and crisp non-alcoholic gin concoctions to rich spiced Bourbon Whiskey alternatives, there’s something for everyone.
Holos Kombucha - Founded in London, created in West Sussex
Holos began in 2018 and was the brainchild of a small group of friends from West London. The name ‘Holos’ means ‘wholeness’, and the brand prides itself on its social impact status, supporting charity partners who work with survivors of slavery and human trafficking. Holos offers signature, sparkling teas that are fermented using a Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast. The collection has a unique range of flavours, from fresh and fruity Soda Apple & Elderflower to deep, amber hues of Sunset Hops.
Pentire Non-Alcoholic Spirits - Created in Cornwall
A modern and captivating brand, Pentire celebrates the unique flora and quintessential flavours of fresh British botanicals harvested along the coast of Cornwall. Founded by Alistair Frost in 2019, this collection complements a healthy, active lifestyle by providing premium, plant-powered non-alcoholic spirits and tonics. From the clean and classic Pentire Seaward North Non-Alcoholic Spirit to blood orange-infused Pentire Coastal Spritz Cans, Pentire provides an eloquent, vibrant and beautifully British drinking experience.
Drydrinker's English Ale Collection
If you're looking for an ale, but you're not sure which to pick then the Drydrinker English Ale Collection might be the perfect choice! Celebrating the best of English brewing traditions, the collection features a handpicked selection of non-alcoholic ales, each embodying the rich heritage and distinctive flavours of classic English beers. The collection includes:
- Old Speckled Hen, a robust amber ale with toffee and malt notes topped with a subtly sweet, hoppy finish. Brewed in Bury St Edmunds.
- St. Peter's Without, a deep amber, traditional British bitter with a balanced blend of malt and aromatic hops. Brewed in Suffolk.
- Harvey’s Brewery Old Ale - a non-alcoholic beer with notes of dark fruits, caramel and subtle spice. Brewed in Sussex.
- Doom Bar Zero - a bright amber ale experience with tropical fruit notes and a refreshing, biscuity malt finish. A beer from Rock, Cornwall.
St George's Day Mocktails
Are you looking for some dragon slayer-style mocktails to fuel your feast? Here is our rich and delicious ‘Dragon’s Breath’ recipe. You will also find our carefully crafted, quintessential mocktail classics that will have you skipping across the green fields of England.
Dragon's Breath
Spicy and feisty, this rich and juicy firecracker concoction will honour you with the bravery of a saint. It's the perfect combination of zest, sweetness, fire, and flames, with a cheeky hint of black pepper to take your breath away. Add an optional hint of cayenne pepper for an extra blast of flames!
INGREDIENTS
(GF) (VGN) 1 Serving
- 50 ml Warner’s Non-Alcoholic Pink Gin
- 150 ml of cranberry juice
- 50 ml of simple syrup
- Juice of ½ lime, plus slice for garnish
- Finely ground black pepper
- A handful of ice cubes
- A sprinkle of pink peppercorns
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Pour the non-alcoholic pink gin, cranberry juice, simple syrup and lime juice into a cocktail shaker.
- Add ice to the mix and give it a brave and bold shake.
- Pour into a cocktail glass (or goblet) and add a fire-breath dust of black pepper.
- Garnish with a slice of lime.
- Add an sprinkle of pink peppercorns.
Rose of England
This light and delicate daytime cocktail is perfect for alfresco dining and outdoor feasts. A gentle touch of rose water paired with a garden of seed lip herbs; this blend makes way for chivalry as it sweeps you off your feet. Add a touch of sweetness and sip your way to celebration as you roam amongst green gardens and enjoy the festivities this spring.
INGREDIENTS:
(GF) (VGN) 1 Serving
- 50ml Seedlip Garden 108 - Alcohol-free spirit
- 50ml of rose water flavouring
- 300ml of water
- 2 x tablespoons of white sugar
- Squeeze of lemon juice
- 1 x slice of lemon
- Rose petals for decoration
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Put the sugar and water into a pan and stir over a medium heat.
- Bring to the boil and add a squeeze of lemon juice.
- Once the sugar has dissolved, add the rose water flavouring.
- Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
- Once cooled, add the 50ml of Seedlip Garden 108 and mix well.
- Pour into a glass, over ice and decorate with the lemon slice and rose petals.
Green Fields of England
An eloquent mocktail with hints of green tea and sage, with a slight white foam that dances across fields of pale, green grass hues. A bittersweet symphony with a natural caffeine kick, bright and merry with a slight celebratory fizz.
INGREDIENTS:
(GF) 1 Serving
- 100ml of water
- 3 x heaped tablespoons of sugar
- 4 x sage leaves chopped
- 1 x whole sage leaf for garnish
- 1/2 x cup of green tea (brewed and tea leaves/bag removed)
- 100ml of fever tree tonic
- 25ml of lime juice
- ½ an egg white
- A handful of ice
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Put the water and sugar into a pan and stir over a medium heat.
- Add the sage leaves and bring to the boil for 3 minutes.
- Then remove from the heat and allow this sugar syrup to cool.
- Add the green tea, Fever Tree tonic, lime juice, egg white and ice into a shaker.
- Shake vigorously until there are no dragons in sight.
- When the sugar syrup mixture has cooled, add to the green tea mix and shake again.
- Pour the mixture into a glass and garnish with a sage leaf.
Raise Your Glass to a Memorable St George's Day!
Celebrating St. Georges’s Day with non-alcoholic English drinks is a great way to embrace British culture and enjoy the festivities. So, whether you indulge in the Best of British non-alcoholic alternatives or dare to try the traditional ‘Dragon’s Breath’ mocktail, raise your glass in a toast to the bravery and spirit of England’s patron saint!
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* some images generated with the assistance of AI
