St. George Aqua Perfecta Basil Eau de Vie is an 80-proof (40% ABV) unaged eau de vie from St. George Spirits in Alameda, California — two varieties of fresh basil, Genovese and Thai, distilled directly in the copper pot still on a base of unaged California grape brandy. Master distiller Lance Winters created it in 2007 as a California exclusive; it went national in 2025. In a 750mL bottle, it is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- Proof / ABV: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- Size: 750mL
- Age: Unaged — bottled without oak contact
- Botanicals: Fresh Genovese basil (buttery, green base) and fresh Thai basil (bright, spicy top notes), distilled in 250-liter custom copper pot stills
- Base: Unaged California grape brandy
- Producer: St. George Spirits, Alameda, California — Master Distiller Lance Winters
Two Basils, One Still
Most fruit-and-herb spirits are flavored after distillation; St. George puts the fresh basil straight into the still. The Genovese basil lays down a buttery, green foundation while the Thai basil adds a bright, almost anise-like top note — the result is a spirit that smells unmistakably of a summer garden but drinks like a serious eau de vie: warm, sweetly vegetal, with a slight menthol lift and a clean, lingering finish. Serious Eats, the SF Chronicle, and VinePair have all sung its praises. Explore the St. George collection and discover more craft brandy and eau de vie at Del Mesa.
Tasting Notes
The nose is bright anise and fresh-cut basil over a clean grape-spirit base. The palate is warm and sweetly vegetal — buttery basil depth from the Genovese, spicy lift from the Thai — with a slight menthol coolness. The finish is clean and lingering, pure basil without any cooked or jammy notes.
How to Enjoy
This is a bartender’s secret weapon: a quarter-ounce transforms a gin gimlet, a vodka soda, or a tomato-based Bloody Mary. It also sips beautifully chilled as a digestif-style pour. Do not cook with it — the fresh-basil aromatics are volatile and belong in the glass.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an eau de vie?
A clear, unaged fruit or botanical brandy — literally “water of life.” This one is a grape brandy base distilled with fresh basil, never oaked.
Is St. George Basil Eau de Vie sweetened or flavored?
Neither, in the artificial sense — the basil goes directly into the copper pot still before distillation, so the flavor comes from real botanicals, with no added sugar.
What proof is it?
80 proof (40% ABV), 750mL, per the distillery’s official product page.
Add St. George Aqua Perfecta Basil Eau de Vie to your cart at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA — the bottle your home bar didn’t know it needed.
