Seedlip Spice 94 was crafted for a new kind of beverage, not attempting to replicate alcoholic spirits. Seedlip is the most well-known non-alcoholic spirits brand, mainly because it’s been around longer than the others.
It’s very aromatic with cardamom and allspice. It has a really warm quality about it, reminiscent of holiday spice. Each botanical has been individually copper-pot distilled, then blended to create Spice 94. (check price)
In the full review below, Seedlip Spice has been tested in multiple mocktails, including brand recommended drinks. Keep reading for full tasting notes with this non-alcoholic distilled spirit in action.
Best enjoyed in: Spice Mule
Ingredients, Nutrition, and Storage
In order to thoughtfully review a product, it must be tested. Here’s the method taken for taste testing, used on all non-alcoholic spirits:
What does Seedlip Spice 94 taste like…
- Neat
- On ice
- On ice with tonic or appropriate single mixer
- Brand recommended mocktails
- Get creative
#1 Neat:
Smell and taste are so tightly interwoven, especially with something so aromatic at Seedlip Spice. It smells of holiday spice (hello cloves) and cardamom. Once sipped neat, there is a delicate citrus flavor followed by a bit of bitterness. The flavor alone is delicate, but coupled with the strong aromatics, it’s quite complex.
#2 On Ice:
Ice tends to brighten up these non-alcoholic aromatic spirits, and more of the citrus is detectable.
#3 On Ice with Tonic:
Seedlip Spice and tonic tastes like cardamom in tonic water. The added bitterness in the quinine doesn’t seem to pair well with this particular Seedlip spirit.
For more info, I also did a side by side comparison of the best Seedlip spirit to use for a non-alcoholic version of a gin & tonic.
#4 Brand Recommended Mocktails Featuring Seedlip Spice
Here are a few Seedlip cocktails featured on their website. One can assume that the recipes they list are the best representation of how to use Seedlip Spice, but we are going to test them. Here they are and what they actually taste like:
Panoma
Ingredients:
- 2oz Seedlip Spice 94
- 1oz fresh grapefruit
- .5oz fresh lime
- .5oz simple syrup*
- 3oz club soda
Directions:
Add all the ingredients except the club soda into a cocktail shaker. Shake & strain into a highball glass.Top w/ soda & add fresh cubes of ice. Garnish w/ a grapefruit peel.
*Simple Syrup: Warm equal parts water & sugar over medium heat. Stir until dissolved. Let cool.
Verdict: If panoma is short for “not a paloma” then they hit the nail on the head. However, this is a really tasty and unusual alternative beverage. The allspice really stands out here, and makes for an interesting and citrus-forward refresher.
Hedge Your Bets
Ingredients:
- 1.5oz Seedlip Spice 94
- 1oz Grapefruit Juice
- .5oz Lemon Juice
- 2 Bar Spoons Seasonal Preserve*
Directions:
Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and strain in a coupe glass.
*Dad’s blueberry jam used in this photo
Verdict: Delicious. The basil garnish goes really well with this. Grapefruit. Blueberries, lemon. Seedlip spice is a nice compliment, but doesn’t overpower the drink. This is a very well balanced beverage.
Spice Toddy
Ingredients:
- Seedlip Spice 94: 1 1/2 oz
- Lemon Juice: 1/2 oz
- Manuka Honey: 1/2 oz
- Hot Water: Top
Directions:
Build ingredients in a mug and garnish with a slice of lemon.
Verdict: This is a winner and very delicious. I’m not sure I would go out and buy the spirit just to make this, but if you have it on hand, definitely consider using it for a healthier version of a toddy.
Note: I used clover honey instead of manuka honey, and recommend clover since it’s easier to find.
#5 Get Creative
After success with a few brand recommended mocktails, Seedlip Spice was tested in a non-alcoholic mule. You can taste the clove and anise flavors (due to allspice), which give the mule a lot of depth. I could think of some fun opportunities to serve this. Warm weather holiday drink? I like this mule. Bars should be serving it. It’s a sophisticated flavor combo.
Spice Mule
Ingredients:
- 2oz Seedlip Spice 94
- .5oz fresh lime juice
- .5oz simple syrup (1:1)
- Fever Tree Refreshingly Light Ginger Beer
- Mint garnish
Directions:
Lightly muddle 4 mint leaves with simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Add Seedlip Spice, lime juice, and ice and shake. Strain over ice into a chilled rocks glass or copper mug. Top with ginger beer. Garnish with a sprig of mint.
If this Spice Mule sounds good to you, be sure to check out this article with more non-alcoholic mule recipes and mocktails with ginger beer. Try Seedlip Spice 94 for yourself, and add a warm spice to your non alcoholic beverages.
Where to Buy Seedlip Spice
Click here for the best available price for Seedlip Spice 94 on Amazon.
Seedlip Spice Ingredients and Nutrition Facts
Ingredients:
Water, Natural Botanical Distillates & Extracts (Allspice berries, Cardamom, Grapefruit peel, Lemon peel, Oak bark, Cascarilla bark). Preservative: Potassium sorbate. Acid: Citric acid
Non-alcoholic, sugar & sweetener free with no artificial flavours.
Nutrition: Serving size: 50ml | 0 Calories; Fat 0g; Carbohydrates 0g; Sugar 0g; Sodium 0mg; Protein 0g*
*Nutrition information was found on the bottle and might be subject to change.
Storage: Refrigeration not necessary, just be sure to store it in a cool place. Enjoy within six months of opening.
