Almave: How Lewis Hamilton and Iván Saldaña interpret agave without alcohol

Non-alcoholic spirits alternatives are developing rapidly. One product that goes deep into the (agave) roots of this segment is Almave. Behind the brand are Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton and Iván Saldaña Oyarzábal, renowned agave expert, co-founder of Casa Lumbre and one of Mexico’s most renowned master distillers. Almave’s three current products embody the perfect blend of passion and expertise – without any alcohol.

In this interview, Iván Saldaña talks about his scientific and cultural connection to agave, the creation of Almave and the technical challenges of developing an alcohol-free alternative. He also discusses his collaboration with co-founder Lewis Hamilton and distribution in Germany through Jaguar Mezcal Boutique.

Ivan, you are a legend in the agave industry. Tell us what makes agaves and agave spirits so special to you?

Iván Saldaña: Agave has been at the center of my life for decades—scientifically, culturally, and personally. I trained as a biologist, and my academic work focused on agave metabolism and its unique adaptations to harsh environments. But beyond science, agave represents Mexico’s history, resilience, and identity.

Every agave plant carries years—sometimes decades—of time, climate, and human care. When we turn agave into a spirit, we’re not just making a beverage; we’re translating a landscape and a culture into liquid form. That connection is what continues to inspire me.

Who have you already worked with and for?

Iván Saldaña: My professional path has always been at the intersection of tradition and innovation. I began my career at Pernod Ricard, where I worked on tequila innovation projects that helped redefine the premium agave category. In 2011, I co-founded Casa Lumbre Spirits, a Mexican company dedicated to creating spirits deeply rooted in raw materials, culture, and craftsmanship.

At Casa Lumbre, I’ve led the creation of brands such as Montelobos Mezcal, Ancho Reyes, Abasolo Whisky, Nixta Licor de Elote, and others. Each project reflects a philosophy of respect for origin, technical rigor, and cultural storytelling. Almave is a natural extension of that journey—exploring agave through a new lens.

How did you get to know Lewis? How did the idea to create Almave come up?

Iván Saldaña: Lewis reached out to us because he was interested in exploring the possibility of developing a non-alcoholic agave spirit. He already loved agave and tequila, but he had the intuition that there might be a way to work with the plant without alcohol—without losing its essence.

That question immediately resonated with me. My entire career has been dedicated to understanding agave at its deepest level, from its biology to its cultural meaning. Rather than creating a flavored alternative, we asked something more fundamental: could we capture the true identity of agave itself, without fermentation or alcohol?

I decided to work with Lewis because there was a genuine alignment of values—discipline, excellence, curiosity, and respect for process. Almave was born from that shared intuition and from a desire to open agave culture to new ways of living and drinking, without compromising its integrity.

How is Almave made? What is the difficult part and how do you achieve the taste that we know from tequila?

Iván Saldaña: First, Almave is not tequila—because it never ferments and never produces alcohol. But it follows the same early steps. We start with blue Weber agave, cook the piñas slowly, and extract their flavors. Instead of fermenting, we move directly into multiple distillations, capturing the volatile compounds released during cooking into a hydrolate.

The real challenge is that alcohol normally provides structure, aroma release, and texture. To replace that, we work very precisely with natural agave sugars, acidity, and botanical components. We add a subtle chili-derived ingredient for pungency, and plant-based gums and glycerol for body and mouthfeel.

„The goal was never to mimic alcohol only—it was to express agave honestly, using natural tools.“

What products are in the portfolio?

Iván Saldaña: Almave currently has three expressions:

• Almave Blanco is fresh, bright, and herbal, with clear cooked-agave notes. It’s ideal for cocktails, especially non-alcoholic margaritas or palomas.
• Almave Ámbar is richer and more structured, with roasted agave, caramelized notes, and gentle spice. It’s designed to be sipped or used in more contemplative serves.
• Almave Humo, produced in Mexico in the mezcal tradition using espadín agave, brings smoky and earthy notes. It opens the door to mezcal-inspired cocktails without alcohol.

Each expression explores a different side of agave, inviting curiosity rather than replacement.

Almave is an ongoing exploration. In our laboratory, we continue researching new ways to concentrate and integrate agave flavors, and future versions may introduce new aromatic layers while remaining non-alcoholic. What matters most is staying honest to the plant and to the people who enjoy it.

What is Almave’s target audience? How is the essence of Ivan and Lewis reflected in the brand?

Iván Saldaña: Almave is for people who care about what they drink—whether or not they drink alcohol. Our audience values authenticity, flavor, and intentional living. The ethos is balance without compromise.

Lewis brings discipline, performance, and a global mindset; I bring scientific depth, cultural grounding, and craftsmanship. What makes Almave unique is that we don’t rely on external flavorings—we use agave itself as the source of flavor.

„It’s a new category, not a substitute.“

How do you assess the potential of non-alcoholic (tequila) alternatives? How do you think the market will develop?

Iván Saldaña: The category is just beginning. Consumers are no longer satisfied with simple flavorings—they want depth, origin, and credibility. I believe non-alcoholic spirits will evolve toward ingredient-driven, terroir-based products, much like premium spirits did years ago. Agave has enormous potential in this space because it already carries identity and emotion. Almave is only the first chapter.

In Germany, Almave is distributed by Amanda Novoa and her company Jaguar Mezcal Boutique. Why did Casa Lumbre choose JMB?

Iván Saldaña: Germany is a sophisticated market with deep appreciation for quality and authenticity. Amanda Novoa and Jaguar Mezcal Boutique share our values: respect for origin, education, and long-term brand building. They understand agave culture deeply and know how to communicate it responsibly. That alignment made the choice very natural for us.

What are the goals for Almave – both for the German and the international markets?

Iván Saldaña: Our goal is not speed, but depth. In Germany, we want to build understanding and appreciation for agave beyond alcohol. Internationally, Almave aims to lead the evolution of the non-alcoholic spirits category – through innovation, cultural respect, and continuous exploration. Almave is a living project, and its future will grow alongside the curiosity of its audience.

Almave | Website | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

JMB | Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

++ We would like to thank Iván Saldaña for the open and very interesting interview! If you also have an interesting brand, then we should talk. Just send us an e-mail with the subject “about-drinks interview” to redaktion@about-drinks.com – we look forward to hearing from you! +++