Seedlip Grove 42 Citrus Non-Alcoholic Spirit 700ML

Seedlip Grove 42 Citrus Non-Alcoholic Spirit 700ML is a 0.0% ABV citrus-driven non-alcoholic spirit made in England from individually copper-pot-distilled botanicals, bottled at 700ml. It earned 88 points from Tastings.com in 2021, standing out among the growing wave of alcohol-free alternatives for its genuinely complex botanical character built around blood orange, bitter orange, and Japanese sansho peppercorn.

Quick Facts: ABV: 0.0%  |  Origin: England, United Kingdom  |  Non-Alcoholic Spirit  |  Brand: Seedlip

Production & Heritage

Seedlip, widely credited as the world's first distilled non-alcoholic spirit brand, was founded by Ben Branson in the English countryside. The company draws inspiration from 17th-century apothecary remedies documented in John French's 1651 text The Art of Distillation. Grove 42 undergoes a bespoke six-week production cycle: each of the seven botanicals — blood orange, bitter orange, orange peel, ginger root, lemongrass, lemon peel, and Japanese sansho peppercorn — is individually macerated and then distilled in copper pot stills before being filtered and blended. This individual distillation approach allows each botanical to express its character at the optimal extraction point, avoiding the muddied flavors that can result from bulk maceration. The result is sugar-free, calorie-free, and entirely alcohol-free.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright, aromatic notes of fresh orange peel lead into lemon zest and a subtle lift of exotic spice. There is a clean, natural quality that avoids any artificial sweetness.

Taste: The entry is lively and crisp, led by bold tangerine and juicy blood orange. Mid-palate, ginger warmth emerges alongside a faint bitter orange pith note that gives the spirit genuine depth. The overall impression is shockingly delicate — more suggestive than heavy-handed.

Finish: Refreshing and dry, with lingering citrus and a cool prickle of Japanese sansho peppercorn. Delicately spiced undertones persist without overstaying their welcome.

How to Drink Grove 42

Grove 42 works well served long over ice with premium Indian tonic water and a wheel of fresh orange — its natural serving suggestion and the one that best showcases the citrus profile. For a more adventurous approach, try it in a Non-Alcoholic Paloma, where the blood orange and ginger notes complement grapefruit soda beautifully. A Virgin Negroni using Grove 42 in place of gin pairs the bitter orange botanicals with non-alcoholic red bitter aperitif for a convincing zero-proof riff. It also shines in a Citrus Spritz topped with sparkling water and a sprig of rosemary, leaning into the sansho peppercorn's dry, effervescent quality.

Best For

• Stocking a serious home bar with non-alcoholic options for guests who don't drink
• Dry January or extended sobriety stretches when you still want a grown-up drink ritual
• Gifting someone who appreciates craft beverages but avoids alcohol
• Hosting brunches or dinner parties where inclusive drink options matter

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Grove 42 taste like? Grove 42 delivers a delicate, citrus-forward profile dominated by blood orange, tangerine, and lemon zest, with a dry, spiced finish from ginger root and Japanese sansho peppercorn. It is notably subtle rather than sweet, with a refreshing bitter orange pith backbone.

How does Grove 42 compare to Ritual Zero Proof Gin Alternative? Ritual Zero Proof leans into a juniper-and-cucumber gin-style profile, while Grove 42 is explicitly citrus-focused and built around orange botanicals rather than traditional gin aromatics. Ritual tends to be considered a closer direct substitute for London dry gin in classic cocktails, whereas Grove 42 occupies its own lane as a citrus spirit with no direct alcoholic equivalent.

Is Grove 42 good for cocktails? Grove 42 is a strong cocktail ingredient, particularly in citrus-forward and tonic-based drinks where its blood orange and ginger notes provide genuine complexity. Its dry, peppercorn-driven finish also helps it avoid the flat, overly sweet quality common in non-alcoholic mixers.

Where is Grove 42 made? Grove 42 is produced in England, United Kingdom, by Seedlip, the non-alcoholic spirit brand founded by Ben Branson. Each botanical is individually distilled using copper pot stills as part of the brand's six-week production process.

What foods pair well with Grove 42? Grilled shrimp or prawns work well, as the citrus botanicals echo a squeeze of fresh lemon. Seared scallops with a ginger-citrus glaze mirror the spirit's ginger and orange notes. Fresh sushi and sashimi complement the clean, dry profile. A citrus tart or blood orange panna cotta matches the dominant fruit character. Lightly spiced Thai salads benefit from the sansho peppercorn's subtle heat.

What sizes does Grove 42 come in? Seedlip Grove 42 is widely available in its standard 700ml bottle, with a smaller 200ml size sometimes offered for sampling or gifting.

Is Grove 42 worth the price? Grove 42 positions as a premium non-alcoholic spirit, priced above most soft drinks and mixers but in line with the upper tier of the growing zero-proof category. The individual botanical distillation process and copper pot production justify its positioning for anyone serious about an alcohol-free drinks program.

Why Grove 42?

What separates Grove 42 from the flood of non-alcoholic options now on shelves is the production rigor behind it — individually distilling each of seven botanicals in copper pot stills, then blending them over a six-week cycle, results in a layered spirit that actually rewards attention rather than just filling a glass. The Japanese sansho peppercorn is the key differentiator, providing a dry, tingling finish that mimics the textural presence of alcohol in a way few competitors achieve. Its 88-point score from Tastings.com reflects genuine quality in a category where many products fall flat. For anyone building a thoughtful non-alcoholic bar or looking for a zero-proof option that doesn't compromise on complexity, Grove 42 remains one of the benchmarks.