Mixing with Hannah Furst: Zero%* Alcohol Lychee Crusta cocktail

A cocktail doesn’t have to have alcohol. There, we said it. These days there are plenty of zero%* alcohol alternatives that make for a tasty-as drink. Don’t believe us? Well, we’ve brought in one of our fave mates Hannah Furst, to show us all how it’s done.

If you’re not familiar with the talented Hannah Furst, let us introduce you. Hannah is a freelance writer, podcaster and all-around content queen. In 2021, she took a break from drinking alcohol and loved it so much she kept it that way. Since then, she’s become someone people turn to for the best zero%* drinks tips. So, we obviously had to get her in to mix something up for us.  And damn, she delivered!

Hannah’s Zero%* Alcohol Lychee Crusta is a bloody delish (and alcohol-free*) riff on the classic Brandy Crusta, named for the crust of sugar around the rim. The Brandy Crusta is cocktail royalty, one of those OG drinks from history that led the way for other delicious creations like the Margarita. Naturally, Hannah’s modernised zero%* lychee version is befitting of modern royalty. “I’d serve these if I were having a celebrity dinner party,” says Hannah.

So, who cops an invite? “Adele, because I want a full debrief of every song on her new album. I would serve her a zero%* alcohol wine because I Drink Wine is my fave song of 2022, but she told Oprah she gave up drinking wine. Colin Farrell, because he's my childhood crush. Actually, that’s an understatement – I wanted to marry him until a few years ago. He also doesn't drink, so he’d love a Lychee Crusta. Then, of course, I’d invite Christopher Meloni, AKA Law & Order SVU’s Detective Stabler. Random, I know, but I’m currently bingeing every episode, starting at season one. I just think he’d be so fun!”

Hannah is a big-time lychee-lover, so this recipe was a no-brainer. “It’s the perfect zero%* alternative to a Lychee Martini. It’s also surprisingly simple to make, and it's sooo pretty! Definitely Insta-worthy,” says Hannah. “I would serve it at a dinner party at home with my friends. I actually did a cooking class last time I was in Thailand and learnt how to cook all my favourite dishes, so I’d test my Thai cooking and cocktail-making skills on them.” Can we come too? 

If you want to serve up this zero%* cocktail to your besties, have a squiz at Hannah’s video below and her top tips. It’s easy peasy lemon squeezy.

It’s time to make some Zero%* Alcohol Lychee Crusta cocktails. Yum. But before you start shaking, have a read through Hannah’s tips below, starting with this helpful pointer on presentation. “I thought sugar and salt rims were reserved for the cocktail professionals, but they're actually super simple. I was way too aggressive when I first tried it. It was like I was trying to squeeze the entire lemon onto the rim of the glass. No, no. Just glide the lemon across the outside rim, very gently.” So remember, folks: glide, don’t squeeze. 

Secondly, a party isn’t a party without some snacks, so what food are we serving up with this cocktail? “Lychees are native to Southeast Asia, so I'm definitely eating my favourite Thai dishes: spring rolls, pad see ew, fried rice and green curry.” Now we’re talking! 

Give Hannah’s zero%* cocktail a whirl next time you have friends over. We guarantee it’ll be a hit.