I couldn't wait to get my hands on JOMO Club Alcohol Free Spirit Subscription Box this weekend. The box consisted of a full-sized bottle of MARINE – Everleaf Drinks, a can of Grapefruit Sparkling DASH Water, a can of Catalyse Life Drink, a can of The Vida Loca Mockarita, a can of Pentire Coastal Spritz and a small bottle of Mr Fitz Dandelion & Burdock Cordial. Extras included a magazine, dried fruit garnishes, Maldon salt sachets, Love Heart sweets and a very tasty Tribe chocolate and peanut flapjack.
Usually priced at £38.00, I got 35% off the first box, although I have found the same offer plus an extra bottle of AF sprit via Time Out valid until the end of April (JOMO box for £24.40 plus a FREE Discovery Box). The price includes delivery - which was the next day - and the discount offers fantastic value considering most full bottles are usually at least £20.
The main feature Marine is an alcohol-free aperitif with bergamot, kelp and sea buckthorn. It has a very subtle citrus flavour and mixes well in a cocktail, so I tried a few recipes in the magazine. Classic Paloma (Marine, Dash grapefruit soda, salt and garnish) was lip-smackingly refreshing.
Dandy Burds was a medley of Marine, lime, bitters (I opted for Botivo), dandelion and burdock cordial and soda water. To me, the predominant taste was the dandelion and burdock. The husband said it reminded him of lime Coca-Cola.
Marine Picante (Marine, honey, fresh lime, chilli and coriander leaves all shaken together) was the perfect serve: sweet, spicy and sour. I added chilli flakes to the salt for the glass, as well as popping a few pink peppercorns and coriander seeds for good measure.
The mixers did pretty much what is says on the tin. Catalyse has complementary notes of orange and cardamon. The Mockarita tastes like a premium cloudy lemonade. The stand out can was Pentire Coastal Spritz. A fusion blood orange and rosemary with a bitter note from quinine, it was a little more interesting. I have seen Coastal Spritz whilst out, so I would choose it if I saw it on the menu.
Would I buy Marine again? Probably not, although I am definitely getting more of the dandelion and burdock cordial. I love the taste like liquorice and pear drops.
I love getting a discovery box. I love trying new AF cocktails but the monthly subscription I initially opted for is beyond my budget. I wanted to drop down to a box every 3 months instead but you can't change the frequency without cancelling. No problem. I will persuade Mr Sober AF to sign up using the Time Out offer.
Score: 4 out of 5