Native Botanical Vodka is unlike any other vodka you’ve tried before. It doesn’t adhere to the usual parameters of a neutral spirit - it has personality in abundance. Vodka can be derided by its haters as flavourless, odourless and therefore pointless. This little number is here to silence the naysayers.

Native Botanical Vodka’s hero botanicals of lemon scented gum and sunrise lime are buoyed by Australian peach and Roman camomile. It’s floral, it’s bright, and it’s altogether delicious.

Just like the first release from our new distillery, Bone Dry Gin, the botanical profile is so sharp, so crystal clear and exact, each distillate jumps out of the glass declaring itself. As you first approach the spirit you’re met with bright bush notes from the Lemon Scented Gum, which gives over to bright, ripe peach, heady chamomile and crisp, tart sunrise lime.

Pairing Native Botanical Vodka with soda is an obvious first step - not only is it friendly to the waistband, but it’s a clean fresh drink. Lime is the most common garnish for a vodka and soda, but do we want to block out that sunrise lime with run-of-the-mill lime? There’s no point in drinking something with this much character and pairing it with something so mundane. So we experimented with the abundance of spring fruits and herbs available to us. Here are some of our favourite garnishes to turn that simple drink into something guest-worthy.

Grapefruit

Native Botanical Vodka and soda tastes great with a twist or wedge of grapefruit. Or indeed a Grapefruit Soda. We went nuts for Strangelove’s Holy Grapefruit Soda as a mixer with attitude.

Mango

Native Botanical Vodka is also fantastic with mango. Strips of the sweet flesh help the peach assert itself, and give you a much-needed snack as you work your way through your drink. We also quite like it paired with a sprig of thyme, if you’re feeling adventurous.

Lemongrass and Kaffir Lime

This classic combination is a brilliant way to elevate your vodka soda. Slice a lemongrass stem down the middle and cut it into lengths just longer than your glass and add a couple of kaffir lime leaves. These Southeast Asian treats bring out the lemon scented gum, reinforcing the vegetal and citrus notes.

Orange and Rosemary

This is a fairly traditional garnish combination. Orange is a marvel at supporting sweet fruit notes and does not disappoint with the peach featured in our vodka. Rosemary is a great supporting player, lifting the lemon scented gum out of the doldrums and into the forefront of the palate.

Cucumber and Mint

Another classic pairing, the mint lifts the herbaceous notes and the cucumber gives a refreshing interlude as you snack and sip.

Peach

Arguably the greatest fruit of all. Our production team distilled fresh Australian peaches for our new vodka, and its subtle ripe fruit notes are buoyed by mixing with soda. To really enhance this botanical note, a slice or two of peach provides a perfect crown. Plus, you get the additional joy of slurping on a peach! They scream summer, and as we approach the heat of an Australian summer and peaches start to appear on shelves, you’d be crazy not to give this a sip.

NATIVE BOTANICAL VODKA IS AVAILABLE NOW