Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Food & Drink

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Less Alcohol, More Flavor: Ketel One Botanical is a New Breed of Diet Vodka

By

Ketel One Botanical Lineup
Ketel One Botanical

It’s no secret that fitness and being healthy is “in.” Not that it’s ever really gone out of fashion (being alive is kind of important, after all), but there is a hyperfocus these days on living a clean lifestyle. What that translates to in the food and drink world is making smarter choices with ingredients or perhaps exploring different options when it comes to drinking. Ketel One set out to tackle that market by producing a new, lower alcohol by volume (ABV) and lower calorie line of vodkas called Ketel One Botanical.

Recommended Videos

Ketel One Botanical is a 30-percent ABV vodka made with non-GMO grain, distilled with real botanicals, and infused with both natural fruit and botanical essences. For the health conscious, there are no carbs, no artificial flavors, no added sugars, and no artificial sweeteners. A shot of Ketel One Botanical is only 73 calories due to the lower ABV.

Related: 
Upgrade your daily routine with the best smartwatches for men

(If at this point you’re thinking, “Wait, they used botanicals and it’s produced by the Nolet family, which makes Nolet’s Gin. Does that mean there’s a Ketel One gin now?” The short answer is no. The longer answer is also no. While they distilled the vodka with botanicals, it can’t be called a gin because juniper wasn’t the main botanical involved. If you now view gin on a very basic level as flavored vodka, you’re not far off, but that’s for a different article.)

The three initial varietals  in the line are: Cucumber and Mint, Peach and Orange Blossom,  and Grapefruit and Rose, each intended for a slightly different palate. If you’re looking for cool and crisp, go for Cucumber and Mint. Sweet and succulent? Well, Peach and Orange Blossom is going to be your best friend. Citrusy and floral? You’ve got it by now — you’re going to pick up the Grapefruit and Rose.

The optimal cocktail serving for any of the Ketel One Botanical, according to the brand, is to keep it simple (recipe below). If you’re not necessarily concerned about the calorie count (or you’ve had a couple of these and you’ve decided that it’s your cheat day), we recommend replacing the soda with a dry sparkling wine.

Ketel One Botanical will be available nationwide by the end of May 2018 and will retail for around $25 per 750mL bottle. You can also buy Ketel One Botanical online here.

Ketel One Botanical and Soda

  • 1.5 oz Ketel One Botanical of your choice
  • 3 oz soda
  • Fruit or herbal garnish

Method: In a wine glass, add ice. Pour in Ketel One Botanical and top with soda. Garnish.

Sam Slaughter
Sam Slaughter
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Sam Slaughter was the Food and Drink Editor for The Manual. Born and raised in New Jersey, he’s called the South home for…

Editors’ Recommendations

This historic US winery can legally call its wine champagne
Dive into the 150-year old history of this unique south jersey spot
Renault Winery

I lived in South Jersey for most of my life, yet I was completely unaware that such a popular winery with a rich history was right here in my backyard. The Renault Winery's story dates back nearly 156 years, when Louis Nicholas Renault left his hometown in France to set sail for California and later settled in Egg Harbor City, New Jersey. Since then, the winery has changed hands a few times but still retains one unique trait that sets it apart from other wineries.

While most wineries in the U.S. are not allowed to call their sparkling wine champagne, Renault Winery has a notable historical exception. This historical privilege dates back to when Louis Renault requested a special permit from French authorities in the 1870s that allowed his wines to be labeled as champagne. Since the winery is grandfathered in, it can still safely call its blueberry sparkling wine "Blueberry Champagne", unlike other companies in the U.S. that must refer to it as a sparkling wine. Today, visitors can take a walking tour of Renault Winery and experience a wine tasting, diving into the history of this special winery.

Read more
Aquavit: the centuries-old spirit that’s more than just “black death”
What exaclty is aquavit?
Alcohol tasting: Aquavit, Bitter orange snaps, Bask, Arrack punsch

If you’ve ever been to Iceland, there’s a chance a local tour guide has offered you a chance to partake in a less-than-appealing local rite of passage. I’m talking about eating fermented shark followed by a shot of Brennivin. I, like many travelers to Iceland, have taken part in this life-changing experience. I can tell you that the shark is the biggest acquired taste I’ve ever been a part of.

The Brennivin, on the other hand, was actually memorable in a good way. Even though it’s referred to as “black death,” this strong Icelandic spirit is a neutral spirit made from potatoes. It gets its unique flavor from the use of caraway seeds. It’s the country’s main type of Aquavit and it's the national drink. But it’s definitely not the only country that makes this unique spirit. You might be wondering what Aquavit is.

Read more
Oskar Blues dresses up its beer in denim for the summer
A timeless look for some classic ales
Dale's Denim Pale.

Colorado brewery Oskar Blues is bringing back a limited-time favorite with the return of the Denim Dale's line. The release features a couple of flagship beers treated to cans inspired by your favorite pair of jeans. The light summer beers are available now through Labor Day Weekend.

"Last year’s denim beer case was a statement of rebellious independence – and people got it. This year, we wanted to take it even further,” says Aaron Baker, Oskar Blues brand director. “So we wrapped the can itself in denim. It’s a celebration of individuality, utility, and American grit – all things denim and Dale’s share at their core. Whether you’re cracking one open at a dive bar or tossing it in your cooler for a weekend outside, this is a beer that wears its character on its sleeve – or in this case, its can.”

Read more