Introducing Second Sip: A Martini-Worthy London Dry Gin With Half The Alcohol, Made For More

Created by Industry Veterans Nick Strangeway, Leo Robitschek, and Sharelle Klaus, Second Sip Brings a New Standard to Low-ABV Spirits

Second Sip is a new low-ABV gin built to offer the flavor, complexity, and structure of a classic London Dry—with only 20% ABV. Designed to hold up in a proper martini, it’s a straightforward solution for those who want to enjoy more without overindulging.

Second Sip is the result of a collaboration between Nick Strangeway (creator of Hepple Gin and longtime spirits consultant), Leo Robitschek (James Beard Award-winning bar director behind Eleven Madison Park and NoMad), and Sharelle Klaus (founder of DRY Botanical Bubbly and advocate for inclusive drinking). Together, they set out to create a full-flavored, low-ABV gin that bartenders and cocktail drinkers would take seriously. With decades of combined experience in cocktail development and spirits production, the team approached every stage of the process with a clear focus on performance in classic cocktails, especially the martini.

“We ran hundreds of trials to ensure the final liquid could hold its own in a martini at the world’s top bars,” says Strangeway. “The goal was simple: create something you'd want a second of, and still feel great the next day.”

Distilled in small batches at New York Distilling Co., Second Sip uses a dual-phase production process. Key botanicals like juniper, coriander, lemon peel, and angelica are distilled in a copper pot still, with citrus and other ingredients processed separately to preserve balance. After distillation, a concentrated juniper CO2 extract is added to restore the flavor, structure, and mouthfeel often lacking in lower-ABV spirits. Unlike traditional distillation, CO2 extraction captures long flavor compounds that don’t carry over in the still. The result is a more complete, layered juniper profile with bold, rounded character. Umami from seaweed and a touch of Maldon sea salt are also added to enhance texture and depth, bringing the experience closer to that of a full-proof gin.

“A really good martini is not as easy as it seems. There is nowhere to hide in its simplicity, which is why for us, the experience had to stand up to a traditional London Dry Gin," adds Robitschek. "Having spent years behind the bar where there wasn't a low-ABV option that I'd consider an equal swap, with Second Sip we don't want you to feel like anything is missing in your cocktail."

“With Second Sip, we set out to create a gin that lets you lean into the moment—whether that means one martini or three,” says Sharelle Klaus. “It’s about giving people a way to enjoy the full flavor and ritual of a great cocktail, with a little more room to say yes to another round.”

Second Sip (20% ABV) is now available for purchase through the Second Sip website and in New York at select retailers with a suggested retail price of $39.99 per 750ml, as well as some of New York City’s top bars, including Katana Kitten, The Corner Store, and Clemente Bar. To learn more about Second Sip, visit secondsip.com or follow @SecondSipGin on Instagram.

About Second Sip: 

Second Sip is a premium, low-ABV gin crafted by spirits innovators, Nick Strangeway, Leo Robitschek, and Sharelle Klaus. Distilled in Brooklyn, it combines copper pot distillation with innovative techniques, Second Sip is made with precise use of organic juniper CO2 extracts and a carefully calibrated blend of botanical extraction, enhanced by a touch of Maldon sea salt for perfect balance. The result is a gin that delivers the complexity, smooth mouthfeel, and martini-worthy character of a classic London Dry gin, at half the alcohol content.

Behind this innovation to redefine what’s possible in low-ABV is an expert team with unparalleled credentials: Strangeway, the creator of Hepple Gin and a driving force behind iconic brands like Absolut and Beefeater; Robitschek, a James Beard Award-winning bar director who created and ran the bar program at Eleven Madison Park where he was a managing partner and helped bring the restaurant to the number one spot in the world, and whose NoMad bar programs have earned international acclaim; and Klaus, a pioneer in the low- and no-alcohol beverage space. Launching in 2025, Second Sip offers a new way to celebrate, allowing you to savor more moments, more toasts, and more rounds, without compromising any flavor or quality.