Teen uses parents’ distillery to create alcohol-free gin

With teens getting a bad reputation – especially when it comes down to underage drinking – one 16-year-old has taken matters into her own hands.

Hana Hughes from Dromore, County Down, Northern Ireland, is the brain behind Driver’s Gin – a sugar-free, calorie-free, non-alcoholic tipple.

New skill

The teen came up with the idea for the non-alcoholic beverage upon brainstorming what “new skill” to learn as part of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme – a prestigious recognition for outstanding youths.

“I had a keen interest in learning a new skill, and when reading the list I was given at a Duke of Edinburgh's Award meeting, I was initially surprised to see brewing and wine making as suggestions,” she said.

“I knew the resources available to me at my parents’ distillery were unique and I set myself a challenge to learn how to distil a non-alcoholic gin.”

Hughes used family-owned distillery, Hughes Craft Distillery, founded by Hana’s mum Barbara and dad Stuart in 2010.

The admirable Hughes now hopes her Driver’s Gin will encourage those who drink alcohol to act as designated drivers during what’s nicknamed ‘Sober October’.

She added: “I came up with two recipes, my first was very similar to a classic gin recipe, but the second was my own recipe of botanicals, strong juniper, coriander, black peppercorns, cubeb pepper and sweet orange.

“When I had finished distilling the recipes, I measured the alcohol and they were both 0% ABV.”

Well received

After being “very well received”, Driver’s Gin has now been made available in both Hughes’ distillery and gastropub in Moira, County Down.

Barbara said she is “very proud” of what her daughter has achieved.

“To be able to offer Hana’s non-alcoholic gin to visitors at Hughes Craft Distillery or the StillHouse gastropub is really amazing,” she added.

Hana’s creation comes at a time when non-alcoholic spirits are growing in importance, with a younger generation increasingly choosing to shun booze.

Her spirit joins a growing movement of distillers creating non-alcoholic spirits.

A number of non-alcoholic spirits are now available including Seedlip, which has the financial backing of Diageo, and is now available in Marks and Spencer.