Sentia Black

Sentia have created something of a revolution in zero alcohol drinks. Instead of simply focusing on flavour, they have used neuroscience to create a drink that targets the parts of the brain that induce feelings of sociability and relaxation, while bypassing the wipeout effects of alcohol. They claim Sentia gives you that sweet’two drink’ feeling and multiple reviews have agreed with them.

Does it work? The last time I tested Sentia Red it was with a group of good friends, which meant I was already halfway there to feeling cheery. This time, I’m tasting on my own. I have to report, the effects are definitely there. After just 25mls, I’m feeling relaxed and a little buzzy round the edges. It’s a pleasant sensation, without any of the annoying alcohol-induced dull-wittedness. I’m heading off to order more.

The taste is deep, dark and alchemical. There’s a set of ingredients as long as an apothecary’s stocklist: liquorice, star anise, cinnamon, schisandra, wormwood, coconut, molasses. They fuse into a drink with a tiny fizzing kick to it (there’s chilli in the mix too) and deep smoky, hedgerowy flavour. The aroma is almost medicinal – I’m suddenly transported back to taking cough medicine as a child – but this is mellowed by a burnt caramel edge and rounded out by the deeply woody notes of liquorice. It tastes serious and challenging, as a good Scotch does. I like it a lot, and I like its effect still more.