It’s pretty hard to stuff up a vodka soda. You’d have to be doing something horribly wrong to make this classic beverage undrinkable.
What is challenging, though, is elevating a vodka soda in a way that does the ingredients justice.
That’s where Archie Rose Native Botanical Vodka comes in. It’s blended with uniquely Australian ingredients, celebrating the kind of flavours you won’t find anywhere else in the world, including Australian peach, lemon-scented gum, and native sunrise lime. It’s vodka with a taste – meaning the heavy lifting is all but done for you.
Get to know Native Botanical Vodka
Archie Rose may be best known for its award-winning gin and whisky blends, but the distiller has been in the botanical distillates game for almost 10 years now and is producing some truly unique tipples.
That’s by design, says Archie Rose’s senior spirits blender, David Fisher.
“We have really set out to do something that isn’t really seen on the market,” Fisher says. “We stopped and said: why not? Why can’t we make something that is fully flavoured, and still complex and nuanced and lends itself to a variety of drinks?
“Rather than building the spirit around juniper, like a gin does, we chose to build it around some amazing local ingredients.”
The result is a springy, complex blend that is likely to delight everyone from casual sippers to full-blown vodka connoisseurs.
Inside the flavour profile
Fisher says this vodka resembles Archie Rose’s gin varieties when it comes to intensity, and the distiller has unleashed some serious flavours.
“[There are] pineapple, lemon sherbet, cumquats and some lovely floral notes on the nose,” he says. “Then layers of fruit on the palate, with the pineapple joined by peach, grapefruit and elderflower on the finish.”
That’s a lot to take in, but it’s all down to the quality produce that the blenders are working with.
“We have great relationships with our producers, and we love to showcase the amazing products that they grow for us,” Fisher says.
Sunrise lime provides a citrus hit, while the lemon-scented gum adds a familiar eucalypt aroma. Floral and fruity notes such as pineapple and melon come from the Roman chamomile, and Australian peaches provide a unique kind of sweetness.
That complexity is achieved through a modern cold-distilling process.
Usually, ingredients are heated in a still so their alcoholic components can be vaporised and collected. But in the case of Native Botanical Vodka, removing heat from the equation allows the team to maintain the integrity of the ingredients.
“We have some amazing new copper pot [and] column hybrid stills at our new Botany site that allows us to bring the best out of every individual ingredient,” Fisher says. “This allows us to capture the products at their best, in a way that isn’t often seen in the world of spirits.”
Making it your way
The folks at Archie Rose know Aussies love a vodka soda. That’s why they created Native Botanical Vodka with this go-to drink in mind.
“One of the major parts of the brief for this product was to be the ultimate vodka for a vodka and soda,” Fisher says.
Pop in a slice of citrus fruit to really up the freshness factor and you’re away.
However, as far as Fisher is concerned, that’s just a jumping-off point. This vodka is also a great addition to other mixed drinks and cocktails, such as a cosmopolitan or a Tom Collins.
“I personally love this in any kind of cocktails where citrus is a big part of the drink,” Fisher says. “They really lend themselves to the unique profile of Native Botanical Vodka.”
Perfect pairing
Now that the what and how is well and truly covered, the last thing to tackle is where and with whom to enjoy this vodka.
“Ideally, it is perfect with a few nibbles before dinner with friends or a picnic in the park,” Fisher says.
Classic nibbles such as veggie sticks, dips, cheese, crackers, and even cucumber sandwiches are the perfect finger-food pairing for a classic vodka soda mix.
If you’re settling in for a meal or entertaining a group, Fisher says, “anything fresh and produce-forward is a perfect match”.
Get to know the Native Botanical Vodka at Archie Rose Distilling Co.
Please drink responsibly. For information and resources visit DrinkWise.org.au