Bax Botanics

A pioneering brand in the non-alcoholic beverage industry, offering sophisticated, botanically-infused drinks that combine exceptional taste with a commitment to sustainability. Founded by experts in wild foraging and botanical flavors, Bax Botanics crafts award-winning, alcohol-free spirits using organic, Fairtrade ingredients and traditional distillation methods. Each bottle is designed to deliver complex, nature-inspired flavours that provide a refreshing and mindful drinking experience, making Bax Botanics a standout choice for those seeking a high-quality, alcohol-free alternative.

 
 

Can you tell us a bit about the origins of Bax Botanics? What inspired you to create a non-alcoholic beverage brand?

Bax Botanics was born out of a desire to create something sophisticated to drink without alcohol. We wanted something that wasn’t sweet but still offered the complexity found in other distilled drinks and liqueurs. We knew that plant flavors could provide this complexity, with high notes, depth, and length on the palate.

What was the key moment or motivation that led to the creation of your first product?

In our previous business, Taste the Wild, we taught about using wild botanicals for flavouring food and drink. During that time, we created the very first versions of Bax Botanics, distilling tiny batches at home to give people a taste of wild plant flavours without alcohol. The positive response we received inspired us to produce larger quantities.

What is the core mission or vision of Bax Botanics, and how do you see your brand making an impact in the beverage industry?

Our mission is to create amazing-tasting drinks using organically farmed botanicals, while also preserving natural ecosystems and wildlife habitats. We prioritize taste above all, but sustainability is a close second. By using Organic, Fairtrade botanicals, we ensure our drinks have a pure taste, support farmers, and maintain consistency. We hope our impact is felt through the quality of our products.

How does Bax Botanics approach the growing trend of mindful drinking and the rise of non-alcoholic options?

We stand out for our honesty and commitment to traditional distillation methods. By using real botanicals rather than relying on a drinks lab, we maintain full control over our taste profiles and purity. Every bottle contains genuine, complex flavors of nature, not artificial approximations.

Can you walk us through the range of products you currently offer? What sets each product apart from the others?

We offer two main products: Verbena and Sea Buckthorn. Verbena is sprightly, vivacious, and refreshing, with lemon verbena, mint, fennel, and subtle florals. It's ideal for those who enjoy herbal liqueurs like Chartreuse. Sea Buckthorn, on the other hand, is more relaxed, featuring aromatic herbs, orange peel, rosemary, and sea buckthorn berries. It’s perfect for stress relief, providing a relaxing effect similar to alcohol, but without the alcohol.

Are there any unique ingredients or processes that make your products stand out in the market?

Definitely. Our products don’t try to mimic any specific alcoholic drink. They each have their own identity, with secret recipes we’ve crafted ourselves. We’re one of only a handful of non-alcoholic brands that distill traditionally, which has earned us several awards for our commitment to authentic processes and the highest quality ingredients.

Which of your products has become a fan favourite, and is there a story behind its creation?

Sea Buckthorn has become a fan favourite, especially for direct-to-customer orders. The rosemary in the recipe is known for its calming properties, which might explain why people are drawn to it for relaxation. It’s fulfilling to see that people are appreciating the calm vibes we intended to create.

Do you have any personal favourites among your offerings?

It really depends on my mood. Verbena is my choice for bright, breezy, citrusy moments, while Sea Buckthorn is perfect for more mellow, chilled-out times.

What have been some of the biggest challenges you've faced in building Bax Botanics, and how did you overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges was dealing with a shipment of 2,000 bottles that arrived with wrinkly labels. Each label had to be scraped off by hand and reapplied, which was quite a task! But the toughest part is being resilient and selling our own products. We’re makers and creatives, not hard-nosed salespeople, so that’s been a challenging adjustment.

What are some key milestones or achievements that you're particularly proud of?

We’re particularly proud of winning medals for all our products at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, including BEST IN CLASS for both Sea Buckthorn AF Spirit and our Sea Buckthorn ready-to-drink can. Another highlight was sipping Bax cocktails at the top of the Shard in the Gong bar—an unforgettable experience.

How have you seen the non-alcoholic beverage market evolve since you started?

The market has grown significantly, with more products entering the space and larger brands investing in it. This has made the market more competitive, making it harder for smaller brands to get shelf space and visibility in bars. However, we’re confident in the uniqueness and quality of our products.

How does Bax Botanics stay ahead of industry trends and meet changing consumer demands?

We stay true to our core principles—Great Taste, Eco-Friendliness, Health, and Sustainability. We don’t chase trends; instead, we focus on what we believe in. For example, we launched canned versions of our products, but due to high costs for small runs, we’re holding off on expanding that until there’s more demand.

How does Bax Botanics engage with its community, and do you have any initiatives or partnerships that you’re particularly passionate about?

We engage both locally and nationally, supporting causes close to our hearts, such as ecology, sustainability, and inclusivity. We’ve supported green events and local educational and homeless charities, and we’re always looking for opportunities to make a positive impact.

How do you gather and respond to customer feedback?

We’re very accessible—we have our phone number and email on our website, and we gather reviews through Trustpilot, Google, and directly on our website. We always respond personally to any feedback.

Is sustainability a part of your brand’s mission, and how do you incorporate eco-friendly practices into your operations?

Sustainability is at the heart of Bax Botanics. We use organic botanicals, a water-saving distillery, sustainable packaging, and prioritise local sourcing to reduce our carbon footprint. These practices are integral to who we are as a brand.

Can you share any upcoming plans or goals related to sustainability?

We’re excited about a new locally sourced bottle that has a significantly lower carbon footprint. It uses less glass and is manufactured within 20 miles of our distillery, reducing transport emissions.

Are there any new products or exciting innovations in the pipeline that you can share with us?

We’re always thinking about sustainability, and our new bottle is a big step in that direction. We’re also exploring other markets, like the Middle East, where our sugar-free and 0.00% ABV products are well-received. We hope to continue positioning Bax as a top-quality, artisan brand in the market.

Where do you see your brand in the next 5-10 years?

I hope to see Bax Botanics solidly positioned at the high-end, artisan end of the market, with an increasing number of Michelin Guide restaurants serving our products.

What advice would you give to someone looking to start their own non-alcoholic beverage brand or venture into the beverage industry?

Get a suit of armour, and make sure your product tastes wonderful. The industry can be tough, so you need to be prepared for challenges.

What key lessons have you learned on your journey that you would like to pass on?

Many people will try to take advantage of you, so it’s important to stay true to who you are and not lose yourself in the business world.

Is there anything else you would like to share with our audience about Bax Botanics or your journey?

We’d love to offer your readers a 10% discount on web orders with free UK delivery. Just use the code TSE10 at checkout on our website.

How can people learn more about your products or get in touch with you?

You can visit our website at www.baxbotanics.com

Thank you! It’s been great to share our story.