Tørstig is currently closed.
Tucked away in the heart of Kemptown, Tørstig, meaning ‘thirsty’ in Danish, is an homage to Denmark, where the owners – Emmi and Luke – initially came up with the idea to open up Brighton’s first low- and no-alcohol bar.
The green and heather interior is dimly lit, with chilled lo-fi beats and chic minimalism coming together to create an informal, relaxed, and cosy vibe. The walls host a vast display of non-alcoholic spirits, beers, and even a whole fridge at the back full of non-alcoholic Guinness. In fact, they’re the first place in England to have Guinness 0.0 on tap.
On arrival, we quickly learned that the science of no- and low-alcohol mixology is no joke, with the carefully curated menu taking two years to develop. The end product boasts over 250 drinks to choose from, with wines, beers, and spirits all on the menu, including an array of vegan and gluten-free options.
READ ALSO: The best no-alcohol beers in the biz
With no fear of a hangover looming over us, we were keen to try a range of drinks from the extensive menu, especially their cocktails. We started off with one of their most popular drinks, Humlum. This fruity concoction has undertones of vanilla and is completed with fresh tangy passionfruit and a shot of low-alcohol sparkling wine – any guesses which cocktail Tørstig was recreating here?!*
Next we tried the Ringkobing. An ode to the amaretto sour, it’s smooth and tart, balanced out with the sweetness of almond, served short with an aquafaba foam. This went down a treat at our table.
We then decided to switch things up by opting for a tall drink – the Rom By. (If you hadn’t twigged by now, each cocktail is named after a different place in Denmark.) This low-alcohol alternative to the mojito is sweet, minty, gingery – and packed full of lime. Another BOTI fave (we can’t just pick one!).
The bartenders are extremely knowledgeable and we felt we were in safe hands trying the staff favourites – Tumbol and Orso. Tørstig’s take on a negroni, the Tumbol is served with orange oil and orange peel, with a sharp citrus flavour and a kick to it that left us questioning how this was only 0.5 percent (the maximum ABV, or alcohol by volume, the bar serves).
The Orso, meanwhile, is smoky, oaky, and complete with a burn that perfectly captures the distinct flavour profile of its boozy counterpart – the old fashioned. We were also lucky enough to sample Snogpie, a festive special inspired by that classic Christmas tipple, eggnog. The drink was finished off with a burnt cinnamon stick and freshly grated nutmeg, and left us feeling rather jolly after! Keep your eyes peeled for this on their winter menu.
Our verdict
Tørstig does a wonderful job of recreating the warmth in your belly and satisfying burn in your throat that you can usually only get by drinking the hard stuff, and, in all honesty, we really didn’t miss the alcohol at all. We also love the fact that their cocktails don’t feature the word ‘no’ (you know, like nosecco) – because nothing has been left out, they’re great drinks in their own right. And we have an inkling this is just the beginning of alcohol-free hospitality here in Brighton.
Tørstig is also super-inclusive, welcoming the sober, sober-curious, and all things in between – including our canine companions (the owners have a gorgeous whippet), so get yourself down there sharpish.
45 George Street, Kemptown, Brighton, BN2 1RJ
Tuesday, 6 – 10pm; Wednesday – Friday, 5 – 11pm; Saturday, 1 – 11pm
torstigbar.com
* Yes, it’s the pornstar martini!
By Lauren O’Brien
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