Savvy B

Name: Savvy B (Low-Proof)
Ingredients: 2 oz The Spirit of Gin (pre-chilled); 2 oz Sauvignon Blanc (pre-chilled); ¼ oz honey; ¼ oz fresh lemon juice; Splash of soda water; Thyme sprig, for garnish

The Savvy B is a low-proof cocktail that makes a compelling case for putting gin and Sauvignon Blanc in the same glass.

The Spirit of Gin brings the botanical backbone, while Sauvignon Blanc adds crisp acidity and fresh aromatics. Honey rounds out the edges, lemon keeps everything bright, and a splash of soda gives the drink a light, refreshing finish.

We recently poured the Savvy B at a pool party, which may be its natural habitat. Fresh, zesty, and crisp, it’s the kind of cocktail that is built for a long afternoon.

Savvy B (Low-Proof)

Rated 5.0 stars by 2 users

The Savvy B is a low-proof cocktail that makes a compelling case for putting gin and Sauvignon Blanc in the same glass.

The Spirit of Gin brings the botanical backbone, while Sauvignon Blanc adds crisp acidity and fresh aromatics. Honey rounds out the edges, lemon keeps everything bright, and a splash of soda gives the drink a light, refreshing finish.

We recently poured the Savvy B at a pool party, which may be its natural habitat. Fresh, zesty, and crisp, it’s the kind of cocktail that is built for a long afternoon.

Ingredients

2 oz The Spirit of Gin (pre-chilled)
2 oz Sauvignon Blanc (pre-chilled)
¼ oz honey
¼ oz fresh lemon juice
Splash of soda water
Thyme sprig, for garnish

Method

Add The Spirit of Gin, Sauvignon Blanc, honey, and lemon juice to a shaker with ice.
Shake well to chill the drink and fully incorporate the honey.
Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
Top with a splash of soda water.
Garnish with a sprig of thyme.

Recipe Note

For easier mixing, you could also use a 2:1 honey syrup rather than straight honey. It will integrate faster and more consistently, particularly when the ingredients are cold.

Want to make it fully non-alcoholic? Swap the Sauvignon Blanc for a non-alcoholic Sauvignon Blanc or another crisp NA white wine.

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Why This Works

Low-proof cocktails still need a backbone. Here, The Spirit of Gin provides it without adding more alcohol, allowing Sauvignon Blanc to contribute acidity, aroma, and vinous character while keeping the overall proof quite low.

Honey gives the drink body as well as sweetness, lemon sharpens the structure, and soda opens everything up without washing it out. The result drinks like a complete gin cocktail even though the only alcohol comes from the wine.

About Free Spirits

The Spirit of Gin

The Spirit of Gin is modeled on the softer, earthier profile of Plymouth gin, crafted with real juniper, coriander, and citrus botanicals to deliver balanced juniper, subtle spice, and gentle citrus without turning sharp or medicinal. It has the structure needed for gin cocktails: body to carry tonic and vermouth, smoothness for spirit-forward builds, and brightness to lift citrus in Gimlets and Tom Collins variations.

It holds shape and provides backbone alongside bold ingredients like elderflower, cucumber, or aromatic bitters. Performs reliably in Martinis, Negronis, Gin & Tonics, and any cocktail that expects gin with definition and restraint.

When Wine Meets the Cocktail Shaker

Wine has been part of mixed drinks for centuries, from punches and cobblers to spritzes and aperitif cocktails. Using wine alongside a spirit rather than simply topping with it creates a different kind of drink: lighter in proof, but still structured like a cocktail.

The Savvy B takes that approach with Sauvignon Blanc, whose acidity and aromatic character make it a natural partner for gin. The result lands somewhere between a wine cocktail and a Collins-style refresher, with the thyme garnish adding a final nod to gin’s botanical roots.

Zero-Proof Cocktail Basics

What is a zero-proof cocktail?

A zero-proof cocktail is a fully built drink that follows the same principles as any classic: acid, sweetness, aromatics, dilution, and a defined base spirit. The difference is the base is non-alcoholic. When that spirit has enough structure and character, like the ones we make, you get a cocktail that drinks like a cocktail, not a compromise.

How do non-alcoholic spirits work in classic cocktail recipes?

Non-alcoholic spirits step into the role of the base spirit. They carry citrus, sugar, bitters, and dilution the same way their alcoholic counterparts do. Some recipes need small ratio adjustments, but the technique stays the same: build the drink, balance the elements, and let the base spirit define the profile.

Do zero-proof cocktails taste like the originals?

They taste like cocktails: recognizable, structured, and intentional. The goal isn't imitation; it's integrity. When the build is balanced and the spirit has presence, you get the character of the drink without relying on alcohol to do the work.

Can zero-proof cocktails have real complexity?

Yes. Complexity comes from design, not ethanol. A well-built zero-proof cocktail shows layers: aromatics, texture, finish. The craft sits in the composition, not the ABV. The right non-alcoholic spirit brings the structure; the ingredients do the rest.

What is the difference between zero-proof and low-proof cocktails?

Zero-proof cocktails contain no alcohol. Low-proof cocktails blend traditional spirits with non-alcoholic spirits to dial down the ABV while keeping the drink's identity intact. It's the easiest way to keep the ritual, cut the intensity, and stay in full control of the experience.

Why does Free Spirits work so well in both zero-proof and low-proof cocktails?

The Spirit of Gin is built with botanical complexity and enough body to hold vermouth and citrus in balance. Whether you use it as the sole base or split it with traditional gin, it behaves like a true cocktail foundation, keeping the drink crisp, layered, and recognizable.