Born out of the desire to rethink what it means to “have a drink”, Optimist Drinks is the first collection of distilled botanical spirits made without alcohol, sugar or additives – the first and only completely clean NoLo beverage collection that satisfies the demand of the growing ‘Mindful Drinking’ movement. Created and distilled in LA using a complex blend of meticulously sourced and elegantly distilled ingredients, Optimist Drinks are entirely free of alcohol, sugar, sodium, carbs, calories, additives, and preservatives, allowing sober curious gourmands and health-conscious consumers to enjoy a delicious craft spirit without compromising their mental or physical wellbeing.
Optimist Drinks’ first offering is a signature distilled non-alcoholic botanical spirit that comes in three elegant blends, BRIGHT, FRESH, and SMOKEY. A liquid botanical loveletter to Los Angeles, each unique flavor takes consumers on a sensory journey to salt-sprayed coastlines (BRIGHT), verdant canyons (FRESH) and arid desert (SMOKEY), inspired by the diverse cultures, landscapes and mindsets of LA.
Optimist Drinks’ Co-Founders, husband and wife Tommy and Lisa Farr Johnstone, realized that despite the popularity of the increasingly crowded NoLo (No and Low) alch drinks space, a craft, complex and clean offering was missing. They created these (3) distinct blends, each with a combination of 10-15 unique botanicals that have been meticulously sourced from all over the world, keeping sustainable farming and supply practices in mind. Artfully distilled and blended by hand by a master distiller in Downtown Los Angeles, the complex botanical drinks are created using a range of extraction methods, combining steam, vacuum, and CO2 extraction; some you’d expect from a high-end craft spirit, but others more commonly used in perfume making or the cannabis industry, to extract best out of every ingredient.
BRIGHT is inspired by Venice Beach with notes of citrus, sherbert and salty sunshine featuring Lemon, Jasmine, Green Mandarin, Lavender, Turmeric, Cornmint, Orange, Tangerine, Fennel, Myrrh and Cinnamon Leaf.
FRESH takes its cue from the verdant Topanga canyons after a late Spring rain with notes of wild herbs, wet leaves and earthy pine from Juniper Berries, Cilantro, Lime Peel, Fennel, Lovage, Basil, Angelica Root, Red Thyme, Tarragon, Jasmine, Habanero, Oregano and Tangerine
SMOKEY takes its inspiration from the High Desert at sunset with warming and intense notes of bonfire, bittersweetness and spice from Lapsang Souchong, Bitter Red Orange, Clove, Ginger, Sage, Turmeric, Bergamot, Cinnamon leaf, Habanero, Geranium, Valencia Orange, and Jasmine.
In addition to creating an alternative beverage that has the potential to change one’s relationship to alcohol, Optimist Botanicals is building a company with integrity, purpose and that is genuinely sustainable. There has never been a more crucial time for optimism, and Optimist believes that people deserve the freedom to experiment with their drinking rituals and strengthen their social connections without compromising their physical and mental wellbeing. The company will direct 2% of all sales to provide mental health support to underserved youth in every market they sell in, starting with SPY – a Safe Place for Youth – in Venice, CA. Optimist Drinks is B Corp pending in its ongoing mission to safeguard both people and planet through sustainable practices and promoting physical and mental wellness. Welcome to the year of the Optimist.
A 500ML (16.9 oz) bottle of Optimist is available for pre-order at optimistdrinks.com ($35).
