So, on their website Lyre’s claim that they have produced ‘…quite simply the finest range of non-alcoholic classic spirits the world has ever seen.’ Bold? Sure. Over-confident? Kinda comes across that way. True. Hmmmm. They produce a range of non-alcoholic spirits and wine, and the Lyre’s Amaretti caught my eye, as it’s not a common aperitif for non-alcoholic distillers to tackle.
Can they capture the distinctive nutty, sweet and almond-forward profile – and make the best non-alcoholic amaretto the world has ever seen? Let’s see.
Appearance
Lyre’s Amaretti immediately catches the eye with its deep amber hue. In the glass it certainly does a decent impression of classic amaretto, if perhaps just a little less vibrant. Its warm tones – along the lines of caramel and toasted nuts – make it inviting, even if it lacks the deeper, richer shades of alcoholic counterparts. That said, it does have a good level of viscosity and it looks good held up to the light.
Aroma
The aroma of Lyre’s Amaretti gives initial strong notes of almond, marzipan and vanilla. As one would expect, the almond takes centre stage, bringing to mind freshly baked biscotti. Further along the aromatic profile you get layers of vanilla and caramel, which help to round out the top notes of the fragrance. Fortunately there are some supporting tones of citrus zest and a faint touch of cinnamon, preventing the aroma from becoming overly sweet.
Taste
On the palate Lyre’s Amaretti captures much of the nutty, sweet and slightly bitter flavour profile of a classic amaretto. The initial sip delivers those distinctive almond and marzipan flavours, followed by layers of vanilla, caramel and even a faint hint of dark chocolate. This combination creates a sweet yet balanced palate Any balancing bitterness comes on the mid-palate, although it is quite light, so there isn’t quite the depth one might get from an alcoholic version, but that’s a minor critique.
Mouthfeel
The mouthfeel of Lyre’s Amaretti is smooth and slightly viscous, giving it a satisfying, syrup-like quality. In a straight serve, it probably is a little thinner than the classic amaretto, but it avoids being overly heavy.
Finish
The finish of this non-alcoholic aperitif really works well. It’s is long and satisfying, with lingering notes of almond, vanilla and caramel, as well as a faint hint of citrus zest to add bitterness. As the flavours fade, a delicate nuttiness remains, making for, overall, a very well-balanced finish.
Pairing Suggestions
Like most aperitifs, Lyre’s Amaretti works best as, well, an aperitif. Drink it on its own or with a large cube of ice as a starter for an evening in. It’s sightly thinner nature than traditional spirits makes it suitable for use in cocktails, so you could try a traditional Amaretto Sour, mixing it with lemon juice, sugar syrup, and egg white. Alternatively (if you must), it could work in a non-alcoholic Tiramisu Martini (apparently). If you must have something to nibble on, go with a dessert like almond tart or vanilla panna cotta.
Overall Impressions of Lyre’s Amaretti
Lyre’s Amaretti is a non-alcoholic aperitif that I keep a bottle of in the drinks cabinet. It captures a lot of what makes classic amaretto such a distinctive tipple: notably an almond-forward profile and balanced sweetness. Sure, it may lack some of the warmth and depth provided by alcohol, but we are talking NA drinks here, and its complex aroma, nuanced flavour and silky mouthfeel more than compensate.