Located in the heart of Kemptown, Tørstig, which means ‘thirst’ in Danish, is a tribute to Denmark, where the owners – Emmi and Luke – originally came up with the idea to open Brighton’s first non-alcoholic bar.
The green and heather interior is dimly lit, and cool lo-fi bits and stylish minimalism combine to create an informal, relaxed and cozy atmosphere. The walls have an extensive display of non-alcoholic spirits, beers and even a whole fridge in the back full of non-alcoholic Guinness. In fact, they are the first place in England to have Guinness 0.0 on tap.
Upon arrival, we quickly learned that the science of alcohol-free and low-alcohol mixology is no joke, as a carefully curated menu takes two years to develop. The final product has over 250 drinks to choose from, along with wines, beers and spirits, including a selection of vegan and gluten-free options.
READ ALSO: The company’s best non-alcoholic beers
Not afraid of a hangover, we wanted to try a wide variety of drinks, especially their cocktails. We started with one of their most popular drinks, the Humlum. This fruity concoction has hints of vanilla and is complemented by fresh tangy passion fruit and a splash of low-alcohol sparkling wine – Can you guess what cocktail Tørstig recreated here?!*
Next we tried Ringkobing. An ode to amaretto sour, it’s smooth and tart, balanced with almond sweetness, served short with aquafaba foam. This was a treat on our table.
We then decided to change things up with a tall drink – Rom By. (If you haven’t guessed yet, each cocktail is named after a different place in Denmark.) This low-alcohol alternative to the mojito is sweet, minty, gingery—and bursting with lime. Another BOTI favorite (we can’t pick just one!).
The bartenders are very knowledgeable and we felt like we were in safe hands trying the staff favorites – Tumboli and Orso. Tørstig’s take on a negroni, Tumboli is served with orange oil and orange peel, and has a sharp citrus flavor and kick to it that made us question how this was only 0.5 percent (the maximum ABV, or alcohol by volume, served in a bar).
The Orso, on the other hand, is smoky, oaky, and has a kick that perfectly captures the flavor profile of its boozy counterpart – the Old Fashioned. We were also lucky enough to taste the Snogpie, a festive special inspired by the classic Christmas treat, eggnog. The drink was finished off with a burnt cinnamon stick and freshly grated nutmeg, and we were left feeling quite happy afterwards! Keep your eyes peeled for this on their winter menu.
Our verdict
Tørstig does a wonderful job of recreating the warmth in your stomach and the satisfying burn in your throat that you usually only get from drinking hard stuff, and to be honest, we didn’t miss the alcohol at all. We also love that there’s no “no” in their cocktails (you know, like nosecco) – because nothing is left out, they’re great drinks in their own right. And we have a feeling this is just the beginning of alcohol-free hospitality here in Brighton.
Tørstig is also very inclusive and welcomes the sober, the sober-curious and everything in between – including our canine companions (the owners have a wonderful whippet). They’re also the official bar for this year’s Dry January – so we recommend booking a table in advance to avoid disappointment. And if you’re heading to London, don’t miss their January pop-up in Hoxton (until 20 January).
45 George Street, Kemptown, Brighton, BN2 1RJ
on Tuesday from 18:00 to 22:00; Wednesday to Friday from 17:00 to 23:00; on Saturday from 13:00 to 23:00
torstigbar.com
* Yes, it’s a porn star martini!
By Lauren O’Brien
