Pimento

Eric Dalsace had given up alcohol and found himself frustrated by the absence of alcohol-free drinks that had any real intensity. He wanted something that would deliver the same kind of physical sensation as a strong drink, the heat and the burn, without the alcohol. So he started experimenting in his Paris kitchen, working through combinations of Thai herbs, African syrups, Caribbean fruit, Indian peppers, ginger, and chilli until he had something he thought was worth making properly.

Pimento launched in 2009 and is built on a core of tonic water, ginger, and chilli pepper. The result is genuinely spicy in a way that most soft drinks deliberately avoid. There's initial sweetness that gives way to a sustained burn on the tongue and throat, and the intensity is closer to what you'd get from a strong ginger beer pressed further than usual, except the chilli extends it. It's served very cold, either alone or as a mixer, and a squeeze of lime is the most common addition.

The brand has expanded to over 20 countries and is available in the UK through specialist and online retailers. It's positioned as something distinct from the botanical non-alcoholic spirits category and equally distinct from standard soft drinks; it's specifically designed for people who want the physical sensation of heat rather than botanical complexity or low-sugar refreshment.

The Collection

Ginger Ale