Sip lightly this summer. Cool down with these easy, refreshing low-alcohol cocktails. Introducing GNISH, the new light spirit from Kalevala Distillery. Made with warming fresh ginger, bright citrus, aromatic lemon balm and juniper berries. The outcome is surprisingly earthy, with a touch of ginger warmth. The earthiness pairs well with fresh herbs such as mint or thyme, as well as some slightly tarter berries like cranberry or red currants. To amp up the juniper notes, you can garnish GNISH and tonic with extra juniper berries and a slice of lemon.
At just 16.3% ABV, GNISH is made for those looking to dial back the alcohol without missing out on the happy hour. It is made in small batches at the family-run Finnish distillery. Currently available in Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany & Switzerland.
Which one of these low-alcohol cocktails is your favourite?
Low-ABV Summer Drinks
Bramble
50ml GNISH
10ml Fresh Lemon Juice
Fresh Thyme, leaves only
5 Blackberries (extra for garnish)
2 teaspoons of Brown Sugar
Soda Water
Crushed ice
Muddle the sugar, berries and thyme in the bottom of your glass. Add lemon and GNISH and some crushed ice. Stir slightly. Add more crushed ice and top up with soda. Garnish with more thyme and berries.
Tip: If you can’t buy crushed ice, put ice cubes inside a clean tea towel and use a hammer or a rolling pin for crushing. A good way to release some tension too!
Glassware from Glencairn Glass – use code onthesauceagain15 for 15% discount
Lemongrass Mojito
50ml GNISH
15ml Lemongrass Syrup (I used Monin)
4 Lime Wedges
Plenty of Mint
Soda Water
Crushed ice
In the bottom of your glass, muddle the lime wedges. Then add the syrup and GNISH. Smack the mint before adding into the glass to release flavour. Carefully stir the ingredients together and add ice. Top up with soda water. Give it another gentle stir and garnish with extra mint.
For more tips on how to master the Mojito see How to Make a Mojito
GNISH Mule
50ml GNISH
3 Lime Wedges
Ginger Beer
Mint for garnish
Simply add ice into a tumbler or a copper mug, squeeze in the lime wedges, measure Gnish and top up with ginger beer. Give it a gentle stir and garnish with mint.
To shop the stag glass, use code SAUCE for a 10% discount.
Low-Alcohol Greyhound
40ml GNISH
120ml Fresh Pink Grapefruit Juice
15ml Sugar Syrup, adjust to taste
Squeeze of Lime
Soda Water
Rosemary Sprig for garnish
Simply add ice into your preferred glass, measure in the fruit juices, syrup and GNISH. Add a touch of soda water and give it a gentle stir. Garnish with the rosemary.
Personally, I prefer to use fresh pink grapefruit as it creates such a refreshing summer drink, but you could always replace it with pink grapefruit soda and skip the plain soda water.
Tip: Replace the sugar syrup with the lemongrass syrup if you bought it (or made it) for the Mojito.
Redcurrant & Ginger Sangria (for 4)
Half a Bottle of Alcohol-Free Red Wine (mine was Grenache/Syrah)
100ml Ginger Beer
80ml GNISH
45ml Redcurrant & Ginger Syrup*, adjust to taste
60ml Kalevala Ruby Gin (optional)
Grapes, halved
Orange slices
Pink Grapefruit slices
Redcurrants
Measure all ingredients into a jug. Adjust the syrup depending on the sweetness of the wine. Give it a gentle stir. Add ice just before serving.
* To make the flavoured syrup, simply add sugar, water, ginger slices and redcurrants to a saucepan. Muddle the berries well to release all the flavour. Stir until the sugar has dissolved. Take off the heat, cover with a lid and leave to sit for one hour. Strain and store in the fridge.
Which one of these low-alcohol cocktails would you make first? Do you have a favourite low-abv summer drink?
Disclaimer: This blog has been created in collaboration with Kalevala Distillery. Some links are affiliate links.
