Recently, I have been sampling many no- and low-ABV spirits to try to find refreshing and satisfying alternatives to full-strength Spritzes and other hot-weather cocktails. One of my go-tos has been MARY, a botanical blend that is (very) low in alcohol, 6% ABV, and therefore also low in calories – only 9 calories in 25ml. In simple terms, 25ml of MARY mixed with tonic counts as 0.15 units, while your average G&T is 0.9. You could have six M&Ts to reach one unit. (The weekly recommendation is max 14 units.)
Rather than create a completely alcohol-free product, the makers of MARY felt a touch of grain spirit would improve the taste and help to create a more sophisticated blend that is easy to mix with. I love the fresh flavour profile, which makes it easy to create a range of refreshing low abv long drinks.
If you’d like to try MARY, you can use the code SAUCE20 at the checkout for a 20% discount*.
Try these low-ABV drinks with MARY
Below, I have listed some of my most recent creations – Which one is your favourite?
Spring Flower
50ml MARY Botanical Blend
10ml Elderflower Syrup (or replace with liqueur if you don’t mind a little extra strength)
Dash of fresh lemon juice
Cucumber slice
Premium tonic water
Measure all but the tonic water into a highball and stir. Add cucumber and ice, then top up with tonic water.
MARY Mojito
50ml MARY Botanical Blend
10ml Lemongrass syrup (adjust to taste)
3 Lime wedges
Fresh mint
Soda water
In the bottom of the glass, muddle the lime wedges together with the syrup. Add MARY, mint and ice. Don’t forget to ‘smack’ the mint to release its flavour. Give it a quick stir and top up with soda water.
Trip to the Tropics
40ml MARY Botanical Blend
25ml Pineapple-infused white vermouth (I used Cucielo)
10ml Fresh lime juice
Shake all ingredients with ice and double strain into a coupe. Garnish with a mint leaf.
Botanical Fizz
25ml MARY Botanical Blend
20ml Passionfruit liqueur* (I used Opificio Nunquam)
10ml Fresh lime juice
Dash of agave syrup
Prosecco (or replace with Nosecco)
Shake all but the Prosecco in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass and top up with your chosen fizz.
*If you can’t find passionfruit liqueur, you can always skip the agave and make your own passionfruit syrup. That way you can also lower the ABV of the final cocktail.
Strawberry & Basil Refresher
30ml MARY Botanical Blend
Fresh basil leaves
2 Strawberries
Cucumber tonic*
In the bottom of your glass, muddle the strawberries with MARY. Add a few basil leaves and ice. Give it a stir and top up with tonic. *
*You can replace the cucumber tonic with plain tonic or another flavoured one, such as Double Dutch Pomegranate & Basil. Even a simple soda water works here.
Have you tried MARY Botanical Blend yet?
*The bundles are excluded from this offer.
Disclaimer: In paid collaboration with Illogical Drinks.
