Optimist Botanicals Bright hails from Los Angeles. It is part of a trio of offerings – Bright, Fresh and Smokey – from the makers, and apparently each inspired by a distinct aspect of LA’s culture and environment. Bright is intended to channel the sunny, spirit of Venice Beach.
Now, having never been there, I don’t think I’ll be able to judge how well it encapsulates the beachside environs, but I can see how it stacks up as a non-alcoholic vodka alternative.
Appearance
On the pour, this NA spirit has a pretty clear appearance, with a faint yellow tint to the edges. There no cloudiness, so the aesthetic is one of simplicity. There is perhaps a little bit of cognitive dissonance between something named “Bright” being virtually colourless, but I can’t imagine that sort of thing will prey on many people’s minds when lifting a glass.
Aroma
The nose starts with an inviting blend of citrus and floral notes, with the primary aromas being lemon, green mandarin and jasmine. As the smell develops there’s a secondary layer of cinnamon leaf, and fennel. This herbaceous undertone is really nice when it comes through, as it balances the initial brightness.
The bouquet on Optimist Botanicals Bright is undeniably intriguing and pretty complex. They do use a wide array of botanicals and you can certainly get that sense of aromas melding together if you give it long enough on the nose.
Taste
On the palate, Optimist Botanicals Bright initially delivers a citrus profile. Lemon and mandarin take centre stage. It’s quite the hit of zest upfront. I like this kind acid kick, but some might prefer something a little subtler. It does develop on the palate however, an the cinnamon leaf does come to the party to help prevent the citrus from becoming overly sharp. I think most drinkers would probably benefit from a splash of tonic at least to even out the flavour tones.
Mouthfeel
The texture is light but not insubstantial. There’s a pleasant weight on the tongue. Its slightly viscous, so there is a similarity to the mouthfeel of traditional, alcoholic spirits, albeit not the rich, oily mouthfeel that some might associate with premium botanical distillations (which is not surprising).
Finish
The finish on Optimist Botanicals Bright benefits from its citrus-forward profile. It’s crisp and clean. The most long-lasting of the notes are probably the fennel and orange. It doesn’t linger that long, but that has the advantage of meaning it’s not a cloying drink.
Pairing Suggestions
I feel that Optimist Botanicals Bright most benefits from simple, refreshing serves. Simply pair it with sparkling water or tonic over ice to let its complex flavours come through. Garnish with a sprig of lavender for an elevated presentation.
If you do want to serve it with food (which is probably unlikely, but if that’s your bag, go for it), its herbal complexity would mean the best complements would be lighter dishes like citrus salads or grilled fish.
Overall Impressions of Optimist Botanicals Bright
Optimist Botanicals Bright has a lot going on. Which I think is a good thing. Without the alcohol component, the drink still proffers a medley of flavours and aromas. You can tell the ingredients are of good quality, and while the balance can seem a little too in favour of the citrus inclusions at times, overall I would not be averse to sipping this – with tonic – on a sunny day, ideally lying on a sun lounger by the pool (if I had a pool…or a sun lounger).