The past year has seen our drinking as a nation take a dive. With alcohol taps been turned off due to the current alcohol ban, the non-alcoholic beverage market has grown exponentially in this time. With a huge amount of people unable to order their favourite tipple, brands are looking at crafty and innovative alcohol-free alternatives.

In 2016, The Duchess Drinks Studio introduced the world’s first alcohol-free gin and tonic and have since grown in leaps and bounds.

This month, the Cape Town-based drinks studio introduced a brand-new addition to its innovative range of premium alcohol-free beverages, The Duchess Spritz – a light and refreshing, alcohol-free wine spritzer.

Crafted with premium de-alcoholised wine and natural botanical extracts, Duchess Spritz is a bubbly delight of fruit and floral notes topped off with an undeniable wine tang.

The Duchess has launched three very popular variants, received backing from the world’s biggest beer company, AB Inbev, and has successfully launched in four international markets.

As consumers are drinking less alcohol and becoming more conscious of its negative effects, they are actively seeking alternatives to alcohol that do not compromise on taste or experience. The Duchess alcohol-free wine spritzers offer consumers the choice of skipping the negative effects without losing out on the social element. It is an adult drink for sophisticated palates, no alcohol needed.

“Duchess Spritz is La Dolce Vita in a bottle. From the taste, to the design, to the tone of voice, we want consumers to be transported to carefree moments of joy and vitality. In 2020, we can all do with a bit more of this and the time to offer something new, exciting and unique is perfect,” adds Creative Director and Co-Founder, Inus Smuts.

As part of the official launch, the brand has adopted a youthful quirkiness for Spritz’s tone of voice and visuals, which will lead marketing execution from social media content to brand collaborations.

Global Marketing Manager, Talita Calitz explains: “We’ve always viewed The Duchess Alcohol-Free Gin & Tonic as the embodiment of an elegant, sophisticated and classy female persona, but now it’s time for The Duchess to let her hair down.”

With their 2020 tagline, Refresh Your Mind, now more relevant than ever, The Duchess is encouraging consumers to takea fresh outlook on the way we drink, the way we think, and the way in which we consume. To be a happier and healthier version of ourselves as we deal with the changes and challenges in the world around us.

The Duchess Spritz will be available in two variants – Spritz Berry Rosé and Spritz Elderflower White.

Light and bursting with berries, Spritz Berry Rosé has a refreshing acidity that is beautifully balanced by the sweetness of the Acai Berry. 

Their Spritz Elderflower White, made with a premium Chardonnay, is crisp and sparkling with fragrant notes of elderflower to match its refreshing acidity. 

The Duchess Spritz will be available from Yuppiechef and SPAR stores from August 2020.