Skip to main content

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

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.

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.

Recommended Videos

(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 was the Food and Drink Editor for The Manual. Born and raised in New Jersey, he’s called the South home for…
J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery honors veterans with new bourbon release
Just in time for Veterans Day, J. Mattingly 1845 is releasing a special edition bourbon
J. Mattingly 1845

Just in time for Veterans Day, Frankfort, Kentucky’s J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery is releasing the fifth edition of its popular Combat Infantry Badge (CIB) Bourbon. The whiskey gets its name from the Combat Infantry Badges, which are awarded to Army Infantry and Special Forces soldiers with the rank of Colonel and below who were engaged in active ground combat during their military service.

It’s more than just a whiskey to honor combat veterans; it’s also made for a good cause. A portion of the sales for every bottle of this annual release is donated to military nonprofit charities. This year, the charity is Blue Skies for the Good Guys and Gals Warrier Foundation, which honors veterans, wounded soldiers, and their families.
J. Mattingly 1845 Combat Infantry Badge (CIB) Bourbon

Read more
Old Commonwealth is reviving Kentucky Nectar Bourbon
Old Commonwealth is bringing back a bourbon shuttered in the 60s
glass of whiskey

Many noteworthy bourbon brands have come and gone over the decades. One brand that was previously lost to time is Kentucky Nectar. We say "previously" because Old Commonwealth Distillery is reviving the brand that's been off the market since 1967.

"Reviving vintage brands is our mission, combining our love for Kentucky history with our passion for whiskey," Zachary Joseph, Old Commonwealth's president of operations, said in a press release. "The Kentucky Nectar label fits perfectly within our portfolio of vintage labels."
Kentucky Nectar Bourbon

Read more
The 8 best espresso machines for home brews
The best ways to brew espresso at home
Espresso pouring in a cup

Italy has blessed us with so many culinary creations it's hard to pick a favorite. When you think of Italian food, you automatically picture a beautiful, cheesy pizza or a plate full of pasta with a delicious meat sauce. However, one invention that is quite frequently overlooked is the black gold that baristas deal in every day. We're not talking crude oil; we're talking espresso.

How many of us would be able to overcome the prior night's cocktails and be functioning humans at work if it weren't for our daily Americano? Let's also not forget it makes a decadent after-dinner treat poured over some ice cream.

Read more