🍰 Can You Make a Babà Without Rum? Yes—And It’s Delicious
If you’ve ever tasted a Neapolitan or Sicilian babà, you know it’s not just a dessert—it’s an experience. Light, soft, and soaked in syrup, it’s traditionally laced with rum or limoncello.
At Sicilian NQ, we offer both: the classic babà with alcohol, and our naturally alcohol-free version, created to be family-friendly and respectful of different dietary and cultural needs.
This includes many of our halal guests in Manchester, who appreciate being able to enjoy an authentic dessert without compromise.
🇮🇹 A Classic Southern Dessert
The babà al rum (or babbà in southern dialects) arrived in Naples in the 18th century via France and Poland, where it was known as baba au rhum. It quickly became a staple of southern Italian pastry, and Sicilian bakers made it their own—often adding citrus zest or adapting the syrup for local tastes.
📚 Learn more about the origins of Babà – Accademia della Cucina Italiana
🚫 Why We Don’t Use Alcohol
At Sicilian NQ, we believe that traditional desserts should be inclusive and enjoyable for everyone—regardless of age, culture, or dietary preferences. That’s why, alongside our classic rum-soaked babà, we’ve created an alcohol-free version that stays true to Sicilian flavour traditions.
Instead of rum, we use a fragrant citrus syrup made with Sicilian lemon, orange peel, and vanilla, creating a taste that’s bright, refreshing, and perfectly balanced.
This approach isn’t just about innovation—it responds to the real needs of many of our guests in Manchester, including:
👨👩👧 Families with children
🕌 Halal guests and those who avoid alcohol for cultural or religious reasons
🌱 People following vegan, sober or clean lifestyles
📖 Read why more patisseries are going alcohol-free – Eater
🍋 Flavour Without Compromise
Removing alcohol doesn’t mean compromising on flavour or tradition. On the contrary—it challenges us to bring out the best of each ingredient, from the soft sponge dough to the citrusy syrup to the elegant final glaze.
💬 “We wanted our babà to be something anyone could enjoy—soft, sweet, and full of life, just like Sicily itself.” – Sicilian NQ Team
👨🍳 Handcrafted Daily in Manchester
Each babà at Sicilian NQ is made by hand, using traditional techniques and high-quality ingredients.
They’re small, single-portion delights—perfect for pairing with coffee, gifting, or celebrating without excess.
We also offer vegan versions, made without dairy or eggs, but still light and aromatic.
Whether you try one on site or order a tray to share, we promise it’ll be love at first bite.
