All the botanicals inside our bottles and cans are naturally delicious.
Botanical Glossary
Ingredients A-Z
Agave nectar is the smooth talker of the sweetener world. Soft, floral, and just a little earthy, it adds mellow sweetness without the sugar rush. Derived from the same plant that gives us tequila (but way more chill), it rounds out bold flavors and keeps the spice in check.
The sweetest of all the vinegars, balsamic is made from grape must, freshly crushed grape juice with all the skins, seeds, and stems. Like all DOP goods, there are a lot of copycats out there, but true balsamic comes from Trebbiano or Lambrusco grapes, resulting in a vinegar that is rich, glossy, and deep in color and flavor. Yes please.
Bay leaf; you add it to soups and stews, but what is it really doing in there? The short answer is this: bay leaf makes everything taste more—more earthy, more balanced, more full of flavor. And just like you might not be able to pick it apart from the other flavors going on in your chicken noodle soup, at first sip of Golden Hour you probably won’t notice it. But it’s there, adding an herbal note that brings everything else into balance.
Bergamot grows in the province of Reggio di Calabria in Italy, which makes sense; its sexy scent and face-tilted-to-the-sun vibe are very Italian. Just the word alone brings to mind romantic images of sun-soaked Sicilian vistas. And in Golden Hour, the fruit’s sharp citrus flavor gets along just fine with our other sunny ingredients, like lemongrass and yuzu.
The spice next to your salt shaker, black pepper has become standard fare in the kitchen. But if you’ve ever had a pepper-forward dish like cacio e pepe or steak au poivre, you know that when left to its own devices, the spice can really shine. Pepper’s earthy, floral qualities and subtle heat are what give Purple Lune its playful pop and lingering bite.
Packed with iron, vitamin C, and antioxidants, blackberries don’t get the props they deserve for being a bonafide powerfood in their own right. In the UK and Ireland, lore says that blackberries shouldn’t be picked after October 11th, as the devil has made them unfit to eat by stepping or spitting on them. Call us sinful, but we don’t care: we’re eating these tart, juicy berries all year long.
Our favorite forbidden fruit, blackcurrants are small, tart berries that were once popular stateside. Then in the early 1900s, farming of the fruit was banned, as it was considered a threat to the growing logging industry. The federal ban shifted to the jurisdiction of the states back in the ‘60s, but it took until 2003 for New York to permit the plant to grow again. Fast forward to now, where we’re psyched to say blackcurrants are back and better than ever, adding a sour yet earthy flavor to Purple Lune.
The rumors are true; chocolate is good for you. Or, at least some of it is. Cacao is packed with antioxidants, making it as good for your body as it is for your brain. Plus, it’s delicious with wine, which is why we added it to Purple Lune for the full decadent experience. Run a bath while you’re at it.
Most often used in tea, chamomile comes from Greek words meaning “earth apple” and “on the ground.” The meaning is pretty literal; the plant’s daisy-like flowers sprout from the grass every year with their sweet scent and soft, floral taste. That coupled with the plant’s mild sedative properties are only part of what makes it so great in Golden Hour.
Dates – they’re sticky, they’re sweet, and when you eat them with some almond butter and a square of dark chocolate, you feel like you might actually be a goddess of pleasure and health. That’s because beside being full of natural sugars, dates are also rich in polyphenols, a type of plant compound that acts like an antioxidant. It’s why people have been snacking on them for thousands of years; in fact, in ancient Scandinavia, dates even had their own assigned fork, a total power move that makes us love them even more.
A flower steeped in lore, the elderflower symbolizes rejuvenation. It’s also a huge hit at hex parties; legend has it that witches used to congregate under elder trees when they were full of fruit, seeking out protection under its drooping canopy. Sounds like it’s time to get your coven crew together and drink up, baby.
Gentian root is the botanical that makes bitters taste bitter. From Angostura to Aperol to a whole host of Americano apéritifs, gentian root gives your favorite bottles a sharp, satisfying bite. Oh, and rumor has it it’s good for you too; the botanical gets its name from the Ilyrian king Gentius, who first discovered the tonic properties in gentians. Gentius wasn’t wrong – the root is anti-inflammatory and good for digestion.
An adaptogenic herb that mitigates stress, helps ease fatigue, and improves stamina without the jitters or an energy crash. It indirectly supports positive social interactions and emotional regulation.
Bracingly sour and low on sugar, grapefruit was a popular diet food back in the ‘50s, eaten by lunching ladies everywhere who were looking to cut calories. While we don’t have to worry about our waistlines nearly as much these days (*prayer emoji*), we still love grapefruit for its acidic punch that’s packed with antioxidants.
Known for its striking beauty, hibiscus adds vibrant color and a tart, floral note to any drink. This enchanting flower is refreshing and packed with antioxidants, potentially supporting heart health and blood pressure. Enjoy a sip of this tropical goodness that’s as beneficial as it is beautiful!
An amino acid naturally found in green tea leaves. Promotes calm alertness by shifting brain activity into the same relaxed-focus state associated with meditation. Naturally caffeine-free — the effect comes from soothing the nervous system, not stimulation.
Used across the full De Soi lineup: in energizing drinks, pairs with ginseng for steady, clear-headed energy instead of jitters. In relaxing drinks, deepens the calming effects of lion's mane and reishi without the fog. The common thread: a calmer nervous system, whether the goal is focus or full relaxation.
By supporting dopamine production, this amino acid enhances stress resilience and motivation, making social interactions feel more engaging and less mentally draining. It also boosts mental energy and fights brain fog.
Bursting with vitamins, nutrients, and phytochemicals, this nutritional powerhouse is here to turn up the heat. Lion's Mane mushroom, an ancient Ayurvedic remedy, is known to soothe stress, sharpen the mind, and promote a sense of calm. But that's not all—this extraordinary plant also brings a delicate earthiness that adds a depth of flavor.
While we love a good pancake pour, at De Soi we use maple syrup as a subtle sweetening agent in our zesty Golden Hour flavor. The delicate syrup brings out the natural sweetness of our other ingredients like pear juice and bergamot extract for a crisp, just-dry-enough apéritif.
Myrrh and wine are a combo as old as time. The botanical dates back to ancient Rome, when it was mixed in wine and posca, an ancient drink of vinegar, water, and herbs that was drunk en masse by the lower class and hated by the elite. Now you probably know the spicy, bitter botanical best for its sweet scent, burned as incense and worn as perfume. In Purple Lune, it gets down with black pepper and blackcurrants for a subtly sharp note.
When people hear the word oak, they can get scared. “Do I really want my wine to have bark notes?” they ask. I mean no, but also, yes. In small quantities, oak can add a certain je ne sais quoi to a drink, which is exactly what it does in Purple Lune. Its high tannin content and ability to impart a smokey vanillin flavor are just a couple reasons why we love it.
We’ve all seen Call Me By Your Name. We know about peach’s, um, erotic associations. But beyond their big screen debut, peaches are also a summer favorite for their sweet, juicy flesh and fuzzy blushing skin. While the yellow-fleshed fruit is bright and acidic, its white-fleshed counterpart found in China and Japan is delightfully delicate.
Apple’s more humble cousin, the pear comes in a bunch of shapes and sizes, from the Bosc to the Bartlett to the Red Anjou. Depending on the variety, the pear can be eaten crisp and crunchy like an apple, or soft and juicy like a peach. In Golden Hour, the fruit’s sweet, floral taste balances the drink’s dry, herbaceous notes.
Uh huh, there’s pine in here. Way back when, resin from the coniferous tree was used by the ancient Greeks to seal wine and prevent oxidation. This pine in wine tactic imparted a subtle evergreen flavor on the beverage, which people in the eastern Byzantine empire regions loved, and began to expect. Needless to say, the solution stuck, and here we are today, putting pine in our non-alcoholic aperitif to add a nice earthy note a la the Greeks.
A fungus used in traditional Chinese medicine, Reishi mushroom is a stress soothing, brain boosting botanical often referred to as “the herb of immortality.” Like other mushrooms, Reishi’s good at keeping your immune system going strong, thanks to its beta-glucans component. Plus, ancient Chinese emperors once swathed themselves in silk robes adorned with images of Reishi mushrooms, proving what we already knew–Reishi is meant for kicking back and straight chillin’.
Let's spill the tea about Rooibos, the flavor-packed brew derived from the South African red bush. Celebrated for its naturally soothing qualities, earthy flavor, and rich antioxidants, Rooibos also boasts delicate floral notes that perfectly complement the sweet summer fruits found in Très Rosé.
Rosemary is the opposite of a one-trick pony in the kitchen. From nestling in olive oil cakes full of fresh citrus to rubbing shoulders with thyme and tarragon in herbes de provence, the fresh herb adds an herbal quality to everything it touches. In Golden Hour, that means mellowing all the zing and zest from the bright citrus notes with its sweet, herbaceous flavor.
A floral wonder with a touch of elegance, rose’s delicate aroma and subtle sweetness can transform a simple drink into a sophisticated experience. Plus, with calming properties that invite relaxation, sipping on a rose-infused apéritif feels like a mini escape from the everyday hustle. So go ahead, pour yourself a glass and let the petals work their magic—no garden party required.
Sea salt is the ultimate flavor wingman. It doesn’t steal the show—it makes everything else shine. Just a pinch brings out the brightness of citrus, softens the heat of jalapeño, and adds that classic salted rim vibe (without the mess). A little savory, a little unexpected—just the right touch.
Tangerine brings the sunshine. Bright, juicy, and just a little tangy, it adds a burst of citrus that’s sweeter than orange and zippier than lemon. Its bright citrus notes don’t just wake up your palate—they lift your mood, too. No surprise it's often used in aromatherapy as a natural pick-me-up.
Spend enough time cruising wellness blogs and you’ll know that the tart cherry, sweet cherry’s acidic cousin, is a stone cold killer when it comes to kicking the common cold. The fruit does wonders for the body even when it’s not fighting the flu though. Studies have shown that the tart cherry contains melatonin, the naturally occurring substance that helps you fall asleep. Don’t worry – a few glasses of Purple Lune won’t knock you out, but it will help you chill.
Vanilla gets a bad rep for being boring (see: ‘vanilla sex’). But TBH, we think anyone who’s too cool for vanilla probably hasn’t had the good stuff: fresh Madagascar vanilla, straight from the pod. The real deal is sweet, smoky, milky, and gets down with way more than just ice cream. In Purple Lune, it teams up with chocolate for a classic combo.
These vitamins work in tandem to support metabolism, brain function, and nerve health. On a cellular level, they help boost energy levels and help regulate brain chemicals that control mood, anxiety, and social drive.
Yuzu is a fun fruit. You can tell from just the name alone. And when you add it to other mouth-puckering citrus flavors like bergamot and lemongrass in Golden Hour, it shines even brighter. Native to central China, yuzu originated as a hybrid between the mandarin orange and the ichang papeda, itself a similarly bumpy citrus fruit with a fresh lemon scent.

