Espresso martinis , margaritas , old fashioneds and more have never been easier to make ( with or without alcoholic drink ) .
SAYSO
One of the most intriguing theatrical role about hosting is keep raceway of guests ’ preferences and allergies . In my inner roundabout , I have a gluten - free friend , another who does n’t do dairy farm ( at least without a good deal of Lactaid nearby ) , and one who ’s vegan . On the drinks side , a growing number of my crony areslashing their refined sugar intakeor sticking to low - ABV ornon - alcohol-dependent drinksall year long — not just for Dry January . Others , though , are all about the next big drink trend and enjoy try out all of the coolest cocktails .
Credit:SAYSO
To accommodate all of the above , I ’ve found the snack counter or skimming display panel strategy work best for the intellectual nourishment . As for the sips , I generally correct out a option of wine , beer , spark tea , and a big - batch adaptation ofBHG ’s latest cocktail of the season . ( If you have n’t try theLone Rangeryet , I suggest stirring up a batch ASAP ! ) But all of that take up a lot of blank — and adds up quickly with eachsupermarket visit .
Instagram must have been read my judgement , because shortly after host Friendsgiving , I scrolled right to a photo ofSAYSO , market as “ the first - ever and only craft cocktail and mocktail mix in a tea leaf bag . ” straight off intrigue , I reached out to the founders to spill about this buzzy ( but not necessarily boozy ) potable alternative .
Alison Evansis the co - laminitis ofSAYSOand is based in Brooklyn , New York .
The Origin of Steeped Mixed Drinks and SAYSO
Imagine atea purse , but instead of leafage , it ’s satisfy with dehydrated , all - natural ingredients that team up to try and smell shockingly similar to your favorite Hellenic mixed drinks . How does a 1 - ingredientSpicy Margaritasound ?
“ All you have to do is infuse your SAYSO sachet in cold water , and add spirits if you wish , and you ’ll have a delicious cocktail or mocktail at home or on - the - go in minutes , ” explains Evans , who co - founded SAYSO with her friend Chloe Bergson .
The duo dreamed up SAYSO on the heels of their own little drinkable blunder .
“ During business shoal , we were hosting friends for dinner party and try out to make cocktail . Despite keep an eye on a recipe , we really missed the crisscross , ” Evans says . “ We realized just how hard it was to make a practiced cocktail at home . "
That was the catalyst to Evans and Bergson setting out to find a mixer that made it possible to create quick , easy , and humble - sugar drinking . After come up empty , they decided to shake up a newfangled clientele idea : an “ easy ” push button for tasty motley drinks that could be spike or not .
Once settling on the sachet melodic theme , the duo tested combination of element like dehydrated citrus Sir Robert Peel , edible flowers , herb , seeds , roots ( like ginger ) and coffee to dial - in their recipes . The intersection strike shelf in June 2022 , and has been slowly build momentum — especially among what Evans calls " flexible drinkers . "
About 65 % of SAYSO customer spike out their deglutition , while 35 % enjoy it sans - spirits . All of the above are lessening their carbon footprint by opting for bags over bottle , Evans mark .
“ We use biodegradable tea bags and recycled material for our publicity , " she says . " By not transport water supply and glass , we have a 20 times lower carbon footprint than our limpid competitor . ” ( The 2 - twelvemonth ledge life of SAYSO is also substantially longer than swimming mixers , many of which expire within a calendar week of opening . )
Evans revealed that they ’re finalizing 2025 tang , so more will be on the way before long . For now , you could steep :
How to Use SAYSO Craft Cocktail Tea Bags
Nearly convince that I had found my new favorite hosting hack , I come out an order for a variety pack and some espresso martinis . ( In case you ’re curious , they time in at less than $ 2 each — a fraction of the toll of a craft cocktail or mocktail I ’d order out on the town . )
As my order made its way to my threshold , I asked Evans for some pro tips about how to use them once they arrived .
“ If you require a foamy top for your Espresso Martini , add your water and optional spirits to a mover and shaker , infuse your sachet , then add up ice , and shake it up , ” Evans recommends .
love as - is , or up the ante with the follow garnishes :
The Verdict on SAYSO Sachets
The twenty-four hours after we natter , my sachet arrived . I selected three flavors that seemed like crowd - pleaser : Espresso Martini , Skinny Spicy Margarita , and Honey Rosemary Moscow Mule . I engross them each in plain water , following Evans ’s guidance . After three minutes of rustling the bags in each deoxyephedrine , I removed the sachet , added nugget ice , and take in a taste of each .
If you ’re skeptical about SAYSO and cogitate they might represent the “ mock ” part of “ mocktail , ” I can sustain the diametric is lawful . Since they ’re made with dried versions of ingredients that professional mixologists use in their formula , these taste far substantially than any bottled mixer or powder crapulence mix I ’ve tried . The real stand - out was the margarita , which was shockingly aromatic and complex - tasting , thanks to crystallized lime tree , orange , jalapeño , pep , smoke salinity , and agave .
Admittedly , these wo n’t likely live up to the most passionate cocktail aficionado who have unattackable feelings about the merit of proficiency , likedirty dumping swallow , and who gladly contend the “ good ” ratio of vermouth to gin in a martini . ( But that crowd probably wo n’t be seek to outsource the mixology , anyway . )
I ’d proudly serve this at succeeding gatherings and appreciate the fact that I could set out an array of sachets next to some garnishes , and just ask everyone to serve themselves . I also would n’t feel like I was drop a thing if I maintain thebottle of winein the cellar and brewed this on a Friday evening to quetch off the weekend instead , and am already daydream about stow one forth in my carry - on to savor as a flavour - free sip on the way to my next trip .
