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Once they’re gone, they’re gone - Waitrose is the only supermarket to debut the limited-edition Botivo x Ottolenghi Botanical Aperitivo
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Retailing at £32, this launch taps into the growing no and low alcohol trend, fuelled by a soaring interest in premium alcohol-free spirits
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Bittersweet & bright - expect the tang of pomegranate molasses, black lime for gentle sourness, cardamom for warmth, while rose gives bright, floral notes
Botivo and Ottolenghi have joined forces to create a limited-edition botanical aperitivo (non-alcoholic) inspired by the bold, vibrant Middle Eastern flavours that define Ottolenghi - now available at Waitrose. Crafted with a shared love for feasting, flavour, and the joy of gathering, this special collaboration blends heritage, spice, and craftsmanship into one deliciously complex serve. With only a limited number of bottles available - once they’re gone, they’re gone!
Co-founder of Botivo, Imme Ermgassen and Yotam Ottolenghi first met at a party, a fitting beginning for a drink designed to be shared. Perfect for long lunches, dinner parties, and, of course, cocktails among friends, the Botivo x Ottolenghi Botanical Aperitivo is a carefully crafted liquid developed by Botivo’s other founder, Sam Paget Steavenson, in close collaboration with Yotam and the Ottolenghi bar team.
Crafted without compromise. Every batch is produced in small quantities at Botivo’s Lannock Farm, Hertfordshire, using only natural ingredients with no preservatives or flavourings - patiently infused to let the natural flavours lead the way. The result is a one-of-a-kind aperitivo that captures the creative essence of both brands.
This non-alcoholic aperitivo brings together Ottolenghi’s favourite aromatics with Botivo's bittersweet botanicals. Expect the tang of pomegranate molasses, black lime for gentle sourness, cardamom for warmth, while rose gives bright, floral notes. The result is a complex, exquisitely refreshing aperitivo. Enjoy it simply over ice with soda water and a lime wheel as a garnish. For something different, a splash of vermouth creates a wonderful low-alcohol option, or pair with gin if you're looking for something stronger. Complex without being complicated - the perfect start to a meal.
Sarah Holland, no & low buyer at Waitrose, comments, “We’re proud to launch the Botivo x Ottolenghi Botanical Aperitivo - an expertly crafted blend of incredible flavours. Its debut aligns perfectly with the rise of the ‘sober curious’ lifestyle, offering a sophisticated choice for those seeking mindful drinking without sacrificing flavour or social connection.”
Imme Ermgassen, co-founder of Botivo, says: “Ottolenghi is the brand every foodie wants to collaborate with, so working with Yotam and his team to bring this to life has been a dream. We’re both brands that celebrate flavour, feasting, and the highest-quality ingredients - it’s the perfect match.”
Yotam Ottolenghi adds: “I first tried Botivo at a kids' birthday party, of all places, It only took one sip! That perfect bittersweet union that makes an aperitivo so satisfying before a meal. When we started working on our own version with Botivo, we went straight for the flavours I love most: black lime, pomegranate molasses, a touch of rose. It’s been my go-to after a long day - just ice, soda, and a wheel of lime. I can’t wait to see how people make it their own.”
Notes to Editors
Price: £32
Purchase Links:
Waitrose.com
botivodrinks.com
ottolenghi.co.uk
About Waitrose
Run by over 45,000 passionate Partners, Waitrose has been serving customers for 120 years and offers extraordinary products in our 317 shops and on Waitrose.com. Inspiring food discovery, our expert Partners run almost 800 specialist food service counters in store, where customers can shop a variety of the best quality meat, fresh fish, dry aged beef, sushi, as well as cheese. Our Beer, Wine and Spirits team features the largest number of Masters of Wine of any UK supermarket and we sell nearly 3,000 different wines, beers, ciders, spirits as well as no and low drinks in our shops, on Waitrose.com and Waitrose Cellar. We are committed to selling products which have been responsibly sourced, grown using the very best sustainable farming methods, some of which are grown or trialled on our very own farm, the Leckford Estate. In 2024, Waitrose was granted the Royal Warrant of Appointment to be Grocers and Wine & Spirits Merchant to His Majesty King Charles III.
About Botivo
Sam Paget Steavenson and Imme Ermgassen are on a mission to carve out a new and disruptive space in drinks - one that is based on taste and the quality of the liquid not the % ABV. Unlike other drinks in the non-alcoholic category, Botivo was not designed for people who are moderating, it was created for people who love food and drink. This means making it small batch, using no flavourings or preservatives and with a maker at its heart. The drink is an award winning, breath of fresh air that is led by 2 founders that will not rest until they have led the world into a new wave of non-alcoholic drinks.
botivodrinks.com | @botivodrinks
For more information about Botivo, please contact [email protected].
About Ottolenghi
Ottolenghi began in a small shop in Notting Hill in 2002 with chefs Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi at the helm. They created a food shop, deli, restaurant, and bakery and became a place with no single description while being a clear reflection of their obsessive relationship with food.
From these humble beginnings, Ottolenghi and the Ottolenghi Test Kitchen (OTK) team have developed a style of food which is rooted in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean traditions, but which also draws in diverse influences and ingredients from around the world.
Since then, the team has slowly expanded and Ottolenghi now has 11 locations across London, including Ottolenghi Richmond and the first international restaurant in Geneva, Switzerland, which both launched in 2025.
While Ottolenghi’s scope may have grown and exciting new ingredients fill the cupboards, so much has remained the same. Ottolenghi’s commitment to the championing of vegetables, as well as unusual ingredients, has led to what some call The Ottolenghi effect, a shorthand for the creation of a meal which is full of colour, flavour, bounty and joy. Simply put, Ottolenghi is serious about making people happy through food.
For more information about Ottolenghi, please contact [email protected].
