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Home » Food + Drink » Food News and Trends

Meet Ketel One Botanical: Summer’s Perfect Not Vodka Vodka

By Sari Beliak | June 14, 2018 | Updated on November 11, 2019 | 23 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links that we collect a share of sales from. Click here for more details.
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Ketel One Botanical

It’s finally safe to crawl out from the cocoon blanket you’ve been hibernating in the last several months. (Trust us, it’s for a good reason: alcohol. Also, summer.)

Ketel One just released Ketel One Botanical, a spirit that begins with Ketel One Family-Made vodka made from 100% non-GMO grain. It’s then blended with the secret family botanical recipe, re-distilled, and infused with naturally-extracted fruit and botanical essences.

It’s like vodka lite. Or diet vodka. Or diet-ier vodka. It’s a word. Don’t look it up.

Now, before you run away screaming, we’re going to let you in on a spoiler: It’s actually good. In fact, it’s tasty AF. It’s like they captured summer time in a gorgeous bottle. Will Smith not included.

Seriously, just look at these beauties.

Ketel One Botanical
Photo provided by Bullfrog and Baum, taken by Johnny Fogg

And the best part is that it’s healthy for you! Well, depending on your definition of healthy. Ketel One Botanical has no carbs, artificial flavors, added sugars, or artificial sweeteners of any kind, so if you were really hoping for a brain-searing sugar-induced hangover, that’s a no go.

What Flavors Is Ketel One Botanical Available In?

  • Cucumber & Mint: Cool, refreshing cucumbers with subtle notes of mint. Like your favorite shampoo from back in the day, but without the overpowering flavor of soap.
  • Peach & Orange Blossom: Mouth-watering white peaches with aromatic orange blossoms. Nerdy racoon here with a fun fact: nectarines and peaches are the same except for a recessive allele that gives nectarine a smooth skin. Science!
  • Grapefruit & Rose: Bold grapefruit with a slight hint of rose petals. You’ve been saying you were going start eating more citrus.

Is Ketel One Botanical Actually Vodka?

Technically, no. Sorry to let you down.

According to the U.S. distilled spirits categorizations, vodka must be “without distinctive character, aroma, taste or color,” and must contain at least 40% alcohol-by-volume (ABV).

The Botanicals have an ABV of 30% and are made by distilling fruit and herbal essential oils.

Flavored vodkas add ingredients to grain alcohol, but they don’t re-distill them. Remember, the higher the ABV, the more calories your drink has (these have 73 vs their classic vodka which has 96), and the increased likelihood of you texting your ex in the middle of the night.

But the Ketel One Botanicals are at least classified as a spirit. And that definitely counts for something!

The Spirit - Gabriel Macht

 

How Does This Not Have Any Carbs Again?

Ketel One Botanical has 73 calories…but not carbs, protein, or fat. If you’ve ever paid attention to how food works, this might be confusing. And while carbs are not the devil, they are very trendy to avoid. If that’s the case for you, might we suggest these low-carb Chocolate Peanut Butter Keto Fat Bombs?

Denis Faye, nutrition expert and Nutrition Nerd explains where the calories in vodka come from. “There are four things that have calories: carbs, protein, fat, and alcohol. I hesitate to refer to alcohol as a macronutrient but that is what it is.” Faye explains that gram of alcohol has 7 calories, which is where the Botanicals get their calories, since they have negligible amount of everything else.

But beer has carbs. So does wine. What gives? Faye continues, “Think of all the volume in beer. In a way, beer is like an alcohol “recipe.” There’s more “stuff” leftover when you process it. Think: barley, yeast, and hops (mostly barley). “When you’re making spirits, you’re distilling everything way down.”

So, essentially, they’ve distilled (and re-distilled) the Botanicals to the point where all the fat, protein, and carbs have been almost entirely removed from the spirit and what you’re left with is the alcohol. And flavor. A.k.a., all the good stuff.

Ketel One Botanical Spirit

Ketel One Botanical Recipes

Straight from the bottle! Just kidding, but it’s so easy to make a vodka soda that we’re willing to take the few extra steps to enjoy this non-vodka vodka cocktail.

Vodka Soda

3.98 from 34 votes
Print Recipe
Change up your classic vodka soda using this version featuring natural fruit and botanical essences
Ketel One Botanicals
Prep Time: 3 mins
Total Time: 3 mins
Servings: 1 serving

Ingredients

  • ice cubes
  • 1.5 oz. chilled Ketel One Botanical ((1 shot))
  • 3 oz. cold club soda ((2 shots))
  • garnish ((fresh fruit, citrus, mint, the tears of your enemies))

Instructions

  • Fill a short tumbler with ice cubes.
  • Pour 1.5 oz. chilled Ketel One Botanical into glass.
  • Top with 3 oz. cold club soda.
  • Finish with the garnish of your choice (fresh fruit, citrus, mint, the tears of your enemies.
Nutrition Facts
Vodka Soda
Amount Per Serving (1 cocktail)
Calories 73
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: vodka soda
Author: Sari Beliak
Did you make this recipe?Leave a review below, then take a photo and tag @letseatcakeblog on Instagram so we can see it!

Easy and more sophisticated than drinking it straight from the bottle. Not that we would ever judge you…out loud.

 

How Else Can I Drink Ketel One Botanical?

If regular club soda isn’t bougie enough for your expensive tastes, may we suggest La Croix? Here are a few vodka soda recipes we discovered with the help of my friends who were suddenly super available to hang out. Thank God for real friends.

What’s the Fuzz All About?

  • 1.5 oz. Ketel One Botanical Peach & Orange
  • 3 oz. Orange La Croix
  • Sliced oranges

 

Encourage Mint

  • 1.5 oz. Ketel One Botanical Cucumber & Mint
  • 3 oz. Lime La Croix
  • Sliced cucumber

 

Rose Before Bros

  • 1.5 oz Ketel One Botanical Grapefruit & Rose
  • 3 oz. Pamplemousse La Croix
  • Sliced lime

Not sponsored. We just dug these and thought you should know about them. Also delicious sipped straight.

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  • Meet Ketel One Botanical: Summer’s Perfect Not Vodka Vodka - June 14, 2018
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links from Amazon and other sites that we collect a share of sales from.
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. HannahHannah says

    June 14, 2018 at 9:37 am

    Yes!! The grapefruit and rose is so good! Will definitely have to try the other kinds!

    Reply
  2. AvatarDanielle says

    June 14, 2018 at 9:37 am

    Um, this is amazing. I’m a big fan of vodka cocktails in the summer, and this is one I can feel good…okay, “good”…about 😀 I have a college friends reunion coming up in a week and a bottle of this will definitely be purchased!!

    Reply
  3. AvatarMarie – Not Enough Cinnamon says

    June 14, 2018 at 10:11 am

    I could use a (few) glass(es) right now – I wish they had some in my part of the world!

    Reply
    • Avatarjoyce says

      May 17, 2020 at 10:20 am

      Hi I am in Canada and out of luack heere too!

      Reply
      • AvatarWanda H. says

        July 30, 2020 at 2:03 pm

        Hi Joyce, I’m near Ottawa and buy it at the LCBO. You should be able to order it online in your province.

        Reply
  4. AvatarJane says

    June 14, 2018 at 10:43 am

    Oh, interesting. I’m picturing some sweet summer cocktails with the cucumber one…

    Reply
  5. AvatarMarissa says

    June 14, 2018 at 10:45 am

    ROSE BEFORE BROS – I need this in my life. Also to be able to go to a bar and say “Can I have Rose Before Bros, please?”

    Reply
  6. AvatarDeepika says

    June 14, 2018 at 11:38 am

    This is perfect for summer. I need to try this one soon. Saving this for summer get together.

    Reply
  7. AvatarBritt | Sweet Tea and Thyme says

    June 14, 2018 at 11:45 am

    That peach and orange blossom sounds like it’s calling to be in a glass of sweet tea with me on my porch this summer!

    Reply
  8. AvatarDanielle Howard says

    June 14, 2018 at 11:48 am

    Looks like I have a new drink for the weekend! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  9. AvatarMick Russom says

    February 1, 2019 at 9:37 pm

    the grapefruit rose stuff is fantastic

    Reply
    • Rebecca SwannerRebecca Swanner says

      February 1, 2019 at 9:57 pm

      Isn’t it though? We still have a bottle here at the… wait, nope, we need to go get more. Have you tried the other flavors yet?

      Reply
  10. AvatarTracey Batten says

    February 6, 2019 at 6:22 am

    I really enjoy the cucumber mibt with fever tree tonic and sliced strawberries! Nice and refreshing!

    Reply
    • Rebecca SwannerRebecca Swanner says

      February 6, 2019 at 10:32 am

      Ooooh! That sounds amazing!

      Reply
  11. AvatarKelley F says

    March 1, 2019 at 2:35 pm

    Tried the Cucumber Mint first. Awful. It was like drinking pine needle sap. Not that I ever tried pine needle sap but it actually tastes like gin. My least favorite spirit. Im very disappointed. I may get the courage to try another flavor. I certainly wont buy an entire bottle for sure.

    Reply
    • Rebecca SwannerRebecca Swanner says

      March 1, 2019 at 6:52 pm

      Oh no! Well, everyone has a different palate. We really loved the Grapefruit Rose one, but we also love strong flavors. What do you typically like to drink? Maybe we can help guide you towards another spirit you may enjoy.

      Reply
  12. AvatarKris Mayo says

    April 19, 2019 at 1:28 pm

    Tears of your enemies is on what aisle??
    Trying the grapefruit tonight.

    Reply
    • Rebecca SwannerRebecca Swanner says

      April 19, 2019 at 2:17 pm

      They’re most commonly found at high school reunions. But, if you’re in a pinch, aisle four.

      Reply
  13. AvatarCheri says

    January 26, 2020 at 7:33 am

    The grapefruit and rose with 7up and a slice of red grapefruit is my new favorite drink! I just bought the other two flavors to try. I think I will try the cucumber mint in a mojito.

    Reply
  14. AvatarDebbie Knight says

    May 13, 2020 at 2:10 pm

    Thank goodness Kelly F left that comment as it will make me buy the cucumber mint! I absolutely love gin, but gin does not love me…..so this might just be a great replacement!

    Reply
    • Rebecca SwannerRebecca Swanner says

      May 15, 2020 at 6:23 pm

      Ha! Enjoy 🙂 I’m a personal fan of the rose!

      Reply
  15. AvatarBecky Seanoa says

    June 4, 2020 at 8:38 am

    I Have tried all three flavors and all three are AMAZING! So refreshing as a summer drink. I can drink it all night and not feel horrible the next day. Zero sugar & carbs are an added plus. Thank you Ketel One!

    Reply
  16. Avatargeraldine delgrande says

    September 1, 2020 at 3:25 pm

    Grapefruit and Rose with a citrus seltzer and juice from an entire grapefruit

    Reply

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