FINALLY: A Whisky For Pregnant Women And Observant Muslims

Finally, a beverage for pregnant women, observant Muslims and recovering alcoholics who preferred whisky alike! Move over O'Doul's, there is a new boozeless brew in town and it goes by the name ArKay. Be afraid.

According to its website "ArKay, the world`s first alcohol free whisky flavored drink is designed for the socialite to the construction worker. The exceptional taste of whisky without the alcohol making a perfect beverage that anyone can consume." They also say it is Halal friendly! But according to the Scotch Whisky Association it is all a lie. They say ArKay is just a "soft drink with artificial flavourings" and are fighting to make sure that if it ever sees the light of day in Europe—it only started taking orders in the States this month—it cannot use the phrase "alcohol-free whisky."

As the legal affairs director of SWA Glen Barclay tells drinks business: "Such promotion is taking advantage of the high quality reputation of the product that is whisky, which is a distilled spirit produced from natural ingredients, when it is in fact just a soft drink with artificial flavourings." We'd also add the idea of it somehow makes us sad.

But hey, Heather Greene says women should drink more whisky—so now we guess that goes for pregnant women, too?

[H/T Squid Ink]

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Garth Johnston in Food on November 18, 2011 2:08 PM

Comments [rss]

crusher153

whats the point in all of this? do we really need a softdrink that tastes like shit? i thought thats what diet soda was for.

does this stuff numb your throat? thats the only way to enjoy whiskey. the first few shots numb your tastebuds and throat. then the rest go down easier.

does it also give you a bad disposition? i can drink beer all day and i'm happy go lucky. mix in some whiskey, and the crazy irish comes out of me. hence, thats why the whiskey stays on the shelf!

Sulayman

Cool, where can I try this in NY?

KAS1

Has anyone ever tried XA Non-alcoholic Cocktails? They are FANTASTIC! They have Bourbon and Cola, Rum and Cola and even a Cosmopolitan. And they taste exactly like the real thing! I've been drinking them for years! Check it out: www.drinkxa.com I just order mine online! Exceptional!

mlleBeth

I'm a big fan of whiskey, but why would I buy a non-alcoholic shot? Doesn't that defeat the point?

Sulayman

Probably for people who feel they have to fit in with a drinking crowd

tysker

Seriously, what's the point? Do people actually buy these products for the flavor?

Guest

Hey Garth. I know Gothamist has a long running history of horrible spelling and even worse grammar, but the least you could do is be consistent with your misspelling. Whisky is a drink from England or Europe. Whiskey is a drink in this country.