Blå – alcohol-free

Copenhagen Sparkling Tea Blå. Nine organic teas, fine bubbles, zero alcohol.

Copenhagen Sparkling Tea Blå is a non-alcoholic, sparkling tea cocktail made from nine individually brewed organic teas, developed by an award-winning sommelier in Copenhagen as a stand-alone alternative to champagne. Not dealcoholized wine, no lemonade, no iced tea.

Copenhagen Sparkling Tea Blå is a non-alcoholic, sparkling tea cocktail from the Danish Copenhagen Sparkling Tea Company, consisting of a blend of nine individually brewed organic teas, grape juice, and a splash of lemon juice. When the first glass is poured, fine bubbles rise, and a scent of jasmine and chamomile fills the room. No one at the table would guess that there isn't a drop of alcohol involved. Anyone who has opened a bottle and experienced the guests' reaction to the first sip understands why Blå from Copenhagen has gained its own following.

Nine teas, one glass. This is how Blå tastes.

On the nose, Blå opens with jasmine and chamomile, complemented by a subtle hint of citrus peel. In the glass, it appears light green with golden yellow reflections. Those who sniff more closely will find quince and a hint of honey in the background.

On the palate, three different white teas provide a silky softness. The green tea gives Blå a fresh, slightly tart depth and prevents the drink from becoming too sweet. The finish is unusually long. Subtle tannins from Darjeeling First Flush linger, comparable to a mineral white wine. The effervescence is fine and understated. Overall: dry, complex, elegant.

Those who expect a bone-dry, tart Brut character will find Blå too soft. 20 grams of residual sugar per liter from the added grape juice make it more comparable to an Extra Dry than a Zero Dosage. This is not a shortcoming, but a conscious decision. It makes Blå more accessible and harmonious at the table.

From aperitif to dessert. Usable everywhere.

Blå shows its full potential at 5 to 6 degrees Celsius from a champagne glass. The narrow opening concentrates the floral aromas and keeps the fine effervescence stable for longer. It is an excellent accompaniment to light appetizers such as goat cheese on lamb's lettuce, grilled prawns or salmon tartare with dill.

Blå harmonizes particularly well with Asian cuisine. The tea base creates a natural bridge to dim sum, mild Thai curry, or sushi. A combination that no wine can create so naturally. It also impresses with dessert: with panna cotta, lemon tarts, or fresh berries with cream, it rounds off the evening without overpowering the sweetness of the dessert. If you are looking for an alcoholic variant for other occasions, you can find it in our Grøn with 5 percent.

From experience: Open the bottle like champagne. With a slight twist and controlled pressure—there are five bar in the bottle. And remember: Blå contains caffeine, around 12 to 14 milligrams per 100 milliliters. This is about a quarter of a cup of coffee. For caffeine-sensitive people late in the evening, this is worth noting. This is also the second limitation of the drink: Blå is not suitable as a sleep aid.

From Michelin-starred restaurant to bottle

Jacob Kocemba, Danish sommelier and winner of the Coupe International Georges Baptiste 2009, faced a concrete problem at Restaurant Herman in Copenhagen's five-star Nimb Hotel. How do you accompany a seven-course menu for guests who do not drink alcohol without making them feel like they are missing out? His answer was his own tea compositions. Not as an accompaniment, but as an equivalent partner to the meal. In 2017, he founded the Copenhagen Sparkling Tea Company with Bo Arlander.

For Blå, Kocemba personally selects the teas. These include rare Silver Needle white teas and Darjeeling First Flush from registered tea gardens such as Happy Valley and Namring Upper in India. The process follows the cuvée principle of champagne production: each tea variety is brewed at its own temperature. White tea at a gentle 70 degrees, green at 80 degrees, black at a robust 95 degrees. Water that is too hot would destroy the delicate aromas of white tea, while water that is too cool would make black tea taste flat. After brewing, the individual teas rest for two to three months before being assembled into the final cuvée. Each batch is produced in small quantities.

Tea Cuvée instead of de-alcoholized wine

What fundamentally distinguishes Blå from non-alcoholic sparkling wine alternatives is its starting point. Most non-alcoholic sparkling wines are created by subsequently removing alcohol from finished wine. A process in which aromas are inevitably lost. Blå was never conceived as wine. It is composed of nine individually brewed tea varieties, complemented by grape juice and a splash of lemon juice. The result is not a substitute drink, but a category of its own.

Those who drink Blå with the expectation of a non-alcoholic sparkling wine will be confused. Those who take it for what it is will understand why it has established a new beverage category. As a gift, it is suitable for people who consciously abstain from alcohol without sacrificing sophistication. As an aperitif at a dinner, as an accompaniment to a gourmet meal, or as a surprise for hosts who appreciate the unusual.

A drink for those who like to hold a glass in their hand in the evening and don't want to be reminded of it the next morning.