St. George Spirits Aqua Perfecta Basil Eau de Vie

Lance Winters made this for tomatoes. When a perfect tomato season hit Northern California, the St. George Spirits master distiller wanted something to sip alongside a beefsteak — and the answer was basil, distilled. Two varieties do the work: Genovese basil for its rich, rounded body and Thai basil for its bright, aromatic lift, macerated in unaged California grape brandy and redistilled to capture the herb's delicate volatile oils before they fade. St. George has been the pioneer of American craft distilling since 1982, and this is one of its "flights of fancy" — spirits born on the lab still that push what distilling can do, made in small bottlings with big flavor. Bottled at 40% ABV. Expect bright anise on the nose giving way to classic Italian basil freshness, then a palate where warm menthol yields to rich vegetal flavors, peppery spice, and a subtle sweetness before a clean finish that reads like walking into a summer garden. K&L's buyer called it "very, very, very good — as long as you like basil," and an extraordinary feat of distillation artistry. It shines with anything from the garden: fresh tomato water, watermelon or strawberry agua fresca, lemongrass, or coconut water. Try it in a Bloody Mary, a Gimlet, or with lime and ginger syrup — bartenders have been swooning.

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