Aqua Perfecta Basil Eau de Vie

About Aqua Perfecta Basil Eau de Vie

Two varieties of the namesake herb in Basil Eau de Vie are used to create a lush, dynamic spirit that showcases this revered plant in all its glory. Fresh Genovese basil gives the eau de vie its buttery, green base, while fresh Thai basil lends bright, spicy top notes. Unaged grape brandy brings this rich herbal experience to fruition with its creamy body and fruit-forward mid-palate.

Tasting Notes for Aqua Perfecta Basil Eau de Vie

On the nose, Aqua Perfecta Basil Eau de Vie leads with bright anise notes that give way to a classic Italian basil freshness. On the palate, you’ll find a fascinating journey as warm menthol gives way to rich vegetal flavors before finishing with a light sweetness.

Suggested Serves

In his bio, master distiller Lance Winters writes that he “takes cocktail inspiration from Thai salads.” This sparked an idea for creative director Matthew Wyne, who built this recipe around ingredients commonly found in them: basil, peppers and ginger. The drink is essentially a split-base buck (the term buck refers to a highball that pairs a base spirit with ginger beer) but achieves a complexity not often found in the genre due to its use of Green Chile Vodka and Basil Eau De Vie. While using a frozen papaya spear adds to both the flavor and the presentation, the drink is also fantastic over good old-fashioned ice cubes. The name refers to one of the four classic styles of Thai salads, and translates to “mix mix” with entendre implied.

• Yam Yam
• 1 oz Aqua Perfecta Basil Eau De Vie
• 1 oz St. George Green Chile Vodka
• 4 oz ginger beer
• Method: Add the spirits to a highball glass, then pour the ginger beer slowly, letting it hit the side of the glass to reduce the release of carbonation. Give a quick stir to incorporate, then add the frozen papaya spear (or ice cubes.) Garnish with anything you’d find in a Thai salad.
• Strawberry Basil Lemonade
• 1 1/2 oz Aqua Perfecta Basil Eau de Vie
• 1/2 oz St. George Botanivore Gin
• 4 oz fresh lemonade, sweetened to taste
• 2–3 strawberries, sliced
• Method: Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice, then shake until strawberries are broken up and integrated in the mixture. Strain into a Collins glass filled with ice and garnish with a fresh strawberry and basil leaf.

Production Notes

Aqua Perfecta Basil Eau de Vie demands a bold approach. Both the Thai and the Genovese basil are put right into the pot of custom Arnold Holstein copper stills to get lots of concentrated licorice, fresh fennel, and sweet grassy notes that wouldn’t be as apparent otherwise. The result is an unabashedly fresh spirit that tastes bright and alive.

750ml & 40 Proof