Seedlip Spice 94 Review

Reading time: 5 minutes

The demand for non-alcoholic spirits is on the rise and while there are many options now available (see our non-alcoholic spirits guide here), it all started with Seedlip. If you’re not familiar with Seedlip, this is the first producer of non-alcoholic spirits that really made a name for itself. Let’s take a closer look at Seedlip Spice 94, in this review we will dive into the taste, ingredients, and overall experience to help you determine if it's worth a try.

What is Seedlip Distilled Non-Alcoholic Spirit?

The world’s first distilled non-alcoholic spirit. A brand from the UK that deserves credit for fueling the alcohol-free sector and pushing the sober-curious movement. The idea hit founder Ben Branson when he was served a sugary and unimpressive mocktail at a local restaurant. This moment, combined with a rich family history in farming and a really old book, inspired him to create a high-quality non-alcoholic option that could hold its own against any other bottle behind the bar. There are three expressions of Seedlip, but today we will be reviewing Seedlip Spice 94, a warm and spiced botanical blend with Jamaican allspice berries.

What is in Seedlip Spice 94?

Seedlip Spice 94 is made from dried allspice berries, cardamom, white oak, bark from cascarilla, grapefruit peel, and lemon peel. There are no calories, no sugar, no sweeteners, and of course no alcohol in Seedlip.

What does Seedlip Spice 94 taste like?

Seedlip was not made to be drink on its own but we understand everyone will be curious to try it neat. We’ll get you mentally prepared for what to expect when drinking it on its own. Just remember to avoid making conclusions until you’ve had a cocktail, that’s where Seedlip steals the show.

The moment you open this bottle the room is filled with wonderfully intense aromas. It’s aromatically potent with lots of allspice scents like cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and cardamom. It also smells slightly floral with hints of citrus from the grapefruit and lemon. Other notes we detected were freshly cut wood, eucalyptus, jasmine, and cola.

When tasting it neat, it is light and doesn’t contain much texture or body, you do feel the tannins though. It’s bitter and medicinal, which we find very pleasant. Bone dry with a flavor focus on cardamom and clove. The citrus notes are stronger in the mouth than on the nose and there is a surprisingly long finish. Many of the critical reviews you see across the internet come after this point. We think it is quite harsh and unjustified, because in order to make a fair judgment you’ll need to have used it for its real application, making mocktails or as we like to call it: non-alcoholic cocktails.

Does Seedlip taste like gin?

Seedlip not trying to be a non-alcoholic gin since it doesn’t contain any juniper, the famous ingredient that gives gin its specific taste. Seedlip instead makes unique botanical spirits that feel similar to gin in the sense that they work well in gin-style cocktails like a gin & tonic.

Does Seedlip give you a booze?

Seedlip is a non-alcoholic beverage and being so is labeled as “non-alcoholic” meaning that its alcohol content has been removed or reduced to less than 0.5% ABV (Alcohol By Volume). It's basically impossible to become drunk or get a buzz from Seedlip because you would need to drink many bottles in a very short amount of time to feel any effects. With that said many customers have mentioned experiencing a placebo effect in which they “feel the alcohol” due to the experience of having cocktails that taste like the real thing.

Non-alcoholic Drink Recipes with Seedlip Spice 94

Spice & Tonic

Spiced Mule

• 1 part of Seedlip Spice
• 2 parts of ginger beer (ginger-ale)
• 1/2 part of fresh lime juice

Pour over ice & gently mix. Garnish with lime & mint leaves

This is an easy way to fool someone, it’s quite hard to tell that this drink contains no alcohol. That could be because the ginger beer is so strong and distinct but the Seedlip Spice really makes an impactful appearance on the nose and tastebuds, although to a lighter extent than with the tonic. If the Moscow Mule was your go-to drink this is an easy way to cut back and drink less alcohol without sacrificing anything except a hangover.

 

Hedge your Bets 

• 3 parts of Seedlip Spice 94
• 1,5 parts of grapefruit juice
• 1 part of lemon juice
• Tablespoon of strawberry jam

Shake with ice, pour & strain into glass. Garnish with basil. 

The last drink we made is more sophisticated and requires a shaker & strainer. There are plenty of summer vibes in this non-alcoholic cocktail. Seedlip brings all these ingredients together for a balanced, bittersweet, and refreshing drink. The jam is interchangeable, we also made it with mango peppercorn jam and it was delicious.

Final Thoughts

We rate Seedlip Spice 94 very well and believe it's a great starting point for the sober curious. Seedlip is less potent than other spirits on the market today, so if you’re interested in seeing what else is available we suggest you check out our guide to non-alcoholic spirits.

Key information

Produce in	UK
Size	700 ml
Alcohol content	Less than 0.5%
Calories (per serving)	0
Sugar (per serving)	0
Other info	Vegan, Allergen free

 

Seedlip is credited with creating the entire non-alcoholic category and we’re lucky that they did. They set the tone for what a non-alcoholic spirit and brand should be. Every botanical and ingredient is individually macerated, distilled, filtered and then carefully blended to make non-alcoholic concoctions that changed the way we drink forever. We hope you decide to give it a try and share your thoughts. Don’t be afraid to get creative, this liquid can be used in a plethora of non-alcoholic drinks including the Mojito or Margarita!

Our Seedlip Spice review can also be found on video here.

Cheers!