Let’s all agree that some flavors just manage to sit on our tongues and minds forever. One such flavor comes from elements that instantly connect us to nature and offer a freshness like no other. Those of you who have already tried a botanical spirit would totally relate to this experience. With the recent rage that botanical spirits have started, it’s only natural if you’re curious to know everything about them. Here’s an ultimate guide to knowing your way around botanical spirits.
What Are Botanical Spirits?
As the name implies, botanical spirits are beverages made of ingredients that make up a botanical garden. These ingredients include everything from roots and seeds to herbs and essential oils from plants. Coming up with the right mixture of ingredients to make botanical spirits is not a cakewalk. You need the right expertise to whip up a refreshing botanical to gracefully accompany your spirit. They’re not only used for fragrance and flavors but also for their health and medicinal benefits.
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Where Do They Come From?
The concept of botanical spirits is not something new, it has been in existence for years now. Take a look around, and you’ll be surprised to know that many of your favorite drinks have always had botanic elements as a part of them! Trace their source, and you’ll be looking at different plants and herbs.
The fact that they come from flowers, berries, leaves, and other plant parts, is what accounts for their purity and simplicity. The botany in botanical spirits also comes from several herbs and spices like basil, mint, black pepper, cinnamon, turmeric, and more.
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Why Choose Them?
Trust us, once you get a taste of botanical spirits you won’t need a reason to choose them over anything else. One of the typical reasons to go for them is to explore a whole new world of refreshing and satiating flavors by nature.
Another reason to choose them is the health benefits they come with. If you’re constantly worried about the carbs and calories consumed, then botanical spirits would be the most appealing to you. Sourced from nature’s garden, these spirits are way better than other heavy calory drinks.
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Popular Botanical Spirits To Try
If you have stuck with us till here, then you’re definitely interested in giving botanical spirits a fair chance. Check out some of the most popular brands and their botanical varieties, that you must try at least once.
1. Ketel One
Ketel One is a liquor brand from the Netherlands, which offers a variety of distilled vodka. Other than its regular distilled vodka, it’s also known for its botanical spirit range. These include varieties like Peach & Orange Blossom, Cucumber & Mint, and Grapefruit & Rose. Here is how to serve these botanical spirits by Ketel One.
Ingredients
- Ketel One Botanical Spirit (1.5 ounces)
- Soda Water (3 ounces)
- Grapefruit or Orange wedge or Mint sprig
How To Make
- Fill a wine glass with ice cubes and all liquid ingredients.
- Now stir gently and garnish with the grapefruit or orange wedge or a mint sprig.
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2. Highland Boundary
This Scottish liquor brand captures the flavor of Scotland’s wilderness in its variety of botanical liquors. They’re made of hand-picked botanical extracts like foliage, flowers, or berries from a single plant. Some of the popular varieties include the Birch & Elderflower Spirit and Larch & Honeysuckle Spirit. Follow the recipe below to create your own botanical Margarita with Highland Boundary botanical spirits.
Ingredients
- Birch & Elderflower Spirit or Larch & Honeysuckle Spirit (1.7 ounces)
- Cointreau (0.8 ounces)
- Lime juice (1.7 ounces)
- A pinch of salt
How To Make
- Shake all the ingredients in a shaker and strain.
- Pour the mixture into a glass with its rim salted.
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3. Träkál
Träkál is a unique Patagonian (Southernmost region of South America) brand, that crafts spirits with authentic and native ingredients. It uses local apples and pears, native berries, and essential oils to create the base alcohol. Here is a recipe to relish a fresh glass of Träkál classic cocktail.
Ingredients
- Träkál (2 ounces)
- Soda (Top)
- Blood Orange or Grapefruit Wedge to garnish
How To Make
- Take a glass and fill it with Träkál and ice, and top it off with soda.
- Squeeze the juice from the garnish and stir the drink.
- Finally, garnish with the wedge and serve.
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4. Beefeater
It’s an authentic London Dry gin brand that offers as many as 9 original botanicals and recipes. The brand enjoys around 200 years of distilling heritage and the title of ‘The World’s Most Awarded Gin’. Its Blood Orange gin is one of the most popular varieties. Here’s one of the best ways to enjoy it.
Ingredients
- Beefeater Blood Orange gin (1 ounce)
- Italian bitter aperitivo (1 ounce)
- Sweet vermouth (1 ounce)
- Orange wedge to garnish
How To Make
- Pour all ingredients into a tumbler filled with ice and stir well.
- Garnish with the orange wedge and enjoy.
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5. Grey Goose Essences
These are carefully-crafted spirits with Grey Goose vodka and botanical ingredients. These are available in three different flavors: Watermelon & Basil, White Peach & Rosemary, and Strawberry & Lemongrass. Here’s how to make a drink with these botanical spirits.
Ingredients
- Grey Goose Essence (1.2 ounces)
- Soda (4 ounces)
- Orange or lemon twist to garnish
How To Make
- In a glass filled with ice, pour in the Grey Goose Essence.
- Top it off with soda water.
- Garnish with the orange or lemon twist.
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Summing Up
Imagine sipping a drink and experiencing blasts of earthy and woody flavors in your mouth and mind. That is exactly what these trendy botanical spirits have to offer. Having read through this guide, you now know everything there is to know about botanical spirits. So go on get your hands on some of the best botanical spirits out there, and feel your soul connect to nature with each soothing sip.
FAQs
What Is Botanical Spirit?
A botanical spirit is a beverage that includes ingredients that come from different parts of a plant. These elements include roots, seeds, flowers, berries, leaves, herbs, spices, essential oils, and more.
Are Botanical Drinks Alcoholic?
No, not all botanical drinks are alcoholic. There are also non-alcoholic and low-alcoholic botanical beverages offered by several brands.
What Does Botanical Taste Like?
Botanical drinks have an earthy, citrusy, herbal, floral, sweet, or spicy flavor depending on the botanical ingredients chosen.
What Are Botanicals Made From?
Botanical preparations are made from supplements from barks, leaves, flowers, roots, twigs, seeds, and other parts of plants. These preparations can be in the form of pills, decoctions, powders, infusions, etc.
What Is The Difference Between Natural And Botanical?
Natural ingredients could include a broad range of natural elements from plants, soil, water, and more. However, botanical ingredients are those that come specifically from plant parts.
