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  Photography: @Satans_Whiskers 

 

 

 

 [Food &amp; Drink](/life/food-drink) 

 



 /  05 March 2025  

#  My Life In Booze: Sam Paget Steavenson, Botivo  


 Botivo is one of the emerging brands taking booze-free drinks to another level. Here, its co-founder Sam Paget – who still enjoys the occasional drink – shares his favourite tipples and the places to enjoy them.  
 

 



 

  Photography: @Satans_Whiskers 

 

 

 

All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.

 



 

 

 

 

 [ ![](https://media.slman.com/hgtPrxmC3e7F3pupuADwNKCgcJo=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F02%2Fsl-man-my-life-in-booze-botivo-founder-credit-happinesshoxton.jpg?itok=xrMsxPHw)

 

 ](https://www.instagram.com/happiness_hoxton/?hl=en) 

@happiness_hoxton

 

 

 

 

 

**The first drink I ever enjoyed was probably wine.** Both my parents love wine and introduced me to it from a fairly young age. It’s the ultimate craft drink with endless styles from different regions to keep you interested. I definitely drink a lot less than I used to, and I’m more drawn to wine than spirits these days, mainly because I have two young children and want to keep my energy levels up.

**It’s hard to beat a good burgundy.** The style is much more about the winemaker, given that it is just a single grape variety. I enjoy a barolo too for similar reasons, but I’m interested in wines from all over the world.

**I’ve always loved beer in all of its forms.** Our neighbours at [Lannock Manor Farm](https://www.lannockfarm.com/) have a super craft brewery called the [Crossover Blendery](https://crossoverblendery.co.uk/). The beers are aged in French oak, typically infused with British fruit, and the fermentations are always spontaneous, using wild yeast. I’m also a big fan of [Beak Brewery's pilsner](https://beakbrewery.com/), [Camden's Hells Lager](https://camdentownbrewery.com/products/hells-lager) and [Deya's IPAs](https://www.deyabrewing.com/collections/cans), which are up there with the best.

 

 One of my favourite spirit brands is Sapling, which makes excellent vodka.  
 

 



 

 



**My go-to drink is currently a dirty martini**. For me, a good drink is all about balance and working with fresh ingredients. In cooking, chefs talk about salt, fat and acid, but in drinks you are generally balancing sweetness, acidity and bitterness. If you use this as your foundation, the world is your oyster and the options are unlimited.

**I’m also partial to a highball.** Recently, I’ve been making one using [Botivo](https://www.botivodrinks.com/). Start with 35ml of [Glenmorangie](https://www.glenmorangie.com/?) (or a similar whisky), then add 25ml of Botivo and 10ml of sauternes or white vermouth. Top it off with 75ml of soda. There’s no need to fuss with juicing fruit – it's super simple and absolutely delicious.

**We’re spoiled with great bars in London.** For a cocktail, I’m a big fan of [Punch Room](https://www.editionhotels.com/london/restaurants-and-bars/punch-room/) at The Edition hotel, [Satan’s Whiskers](https://www.satanswhiskers.com/), [Happiness Forgets](https://www.happinessforgets.com/), [Spiritland](https://spiritland.com/location/spiritland-kings-cross/) and [Tayer + Elementary](https://tayer-elementary.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooavVrpVl5reqqX1TCXRUgkLnLP7gRdLiEKJce69LGbY0nLSoB0). For a pint of Guinness with friends, I love [The Parakeet](https://theparakeetpub.com/) in Kentish Town, [The Holly Bush](https://www.hollybushhampstead.co.uk/) in Hampstead or any pub that has a decent pool table.

 

 [ ![Punch Room](https://media.slman.com/0zr8Tz4IRtrHQxIGmKbqQVBk22E=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F02%2Fsl-man-my-life-in-booze-botivo-founder-credit-punch-room.jpg?itok=s9Qbarjv)

 

 ](https://www.editionhotels.com/london/restaurants-and-bars/punch-room/) 

Punch Room  


 

 

 

 

 

 

**One of the best drinks I’ve ever tasted was during a trip to India.** We stayed at [Ahilya Fort](https://ahilyafort.com/), an incredible hotel which sits high above the sacred Narmada river. On our first evening at sunset, we were taken on a boat trip along the river. As we sailed, hundreds of small tea lights began to appear on the water. Another boat pulled up beside ours, carrying a band, followed by another boat with a fully stocked bar. They made us one of the best martinis I’ve ever had, in the most magical and unexpected setting.

**A negroni sbagliato transports me back to my honeymoon in Italy.** That will always be a very evocative drink for me. In terms of celebratory drinks, sparkling wine and champagne don’t really do it for me (though I love seeing the rise of some amazing English winemakers) and I’d much rather enjoy something like a margarita to let my hair down.

**One of my favourite spirit brands is** [**Sapling**](https://saplingspirits.com/?srsltid=AfmBOor2tLYiH3AofkPXYEJ4LQJakOj4zDX4LpUAtsknUVs47Opr0B6g)**, which makes excellent vodka.** I also love that the team plant a tree for each bottle they sell. Another favourite is [Avallen](https://avallenspirits.com/), another B Corp, which gets inventive with apples. Then there’s [Beesou, ](https://www.distillersdirect.com/products/beesou-bitter-honey-aperitif-70cl)which makes a great aperitif using honey, as well as [East London Liquor Company](https://eastlondonliquorcompany.com/) for gin, vodka, rum and more.

**Tea is my favourite base for a non-alcoholic cocktail.** There’s such a great variety of teas to work with and it’s so versatile, whether used in fermentations, cold brews or hot infusions. It can also be made into very complex cordials adding layers of tannins and bitterness. [Good &amp; Proper Tea](https://www.goodandpropertea.com/) is a great place to source delicious teas from.

 

 

 

 [ ![Spiritland Festival Hall](https://media.slman.com/9pbTOs6uhdbNEP7-C3WWglS4aX4=/1920x0/smart/filters:no_upscale()/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F02%2Fsl-man-my-life-in-booze-botivo-founder-spiritlandfestivalhall-full-bleed.jpg?itok=_mw3I8oU)

 

 ](https://spiritland.com/) 

Spiritland Festival Hall  


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**The non-alcoholic drinks industry is booming.** Though it’s evolved in recent years as there’s been a shift from the mimic brands (trying to copy a gin or whisky for example) towards products that are their own thing. This second wave of non-alcoholic are totally unique, complex drinks in their own right with new flavour profiles.

**I’m a big fan of** [**Muri**](https://muri-drinks.com/en-uk)**,** [**Ama Brewery**](https://amabrewery.com/) **and** [**NON**](https://uk.non.world/)**.** They share the same values that we do – championing real ingredients and craft. They’re helping to elevate the category by taking it into a new and exciting space.

**If I’m entertaining at home, I typically make a Dusk 'til Dawn.** It contains mezcal, Botivo, lime juice, grilled pineapple, cucumber and jalapeño. It has this beautiful bright green colour, and is super smoky and fresh.

 

 Every home bar should have a good vodka, gin, tequila, whisky and bourbon. You also need Campari, Angostura bitters and sweet and dry vermouths.  
 

 



 

 



**My favourite way to unwind is with a Botivo and soda.** At home we call this the ‘yellow hour’ – the moment you clock off and ease into your evening. Botivo itself is a big-sipping botanical aperitivo that I hand blend on Lannock Manor Farm in Hertfordshire. It’s a combination of five powerful botanicals: rosemary, thyme, gentian root, wormwood leaf and orange zest that are infused into an aged British apple cider vinegar and honey base. You simply serve it with sparkling water and a juicy orange wedge. Now, you can find our drink in some of the most aspirational restaurants in the UK, including [The River Cafe](https://www.rivercafe.co.uk/), [Mountain](https://mountainbeakstreet.com/), [Osip](https://osiprestaurant.com/), [St. John](https://stjohnrestaurant.com/) and [Rovi](https://ottolenghi.co.uk/pages/locations/rovi).

**Every home bar should have a good vodka, gin, tequila, whisky and bourbon.** You also need Campari, Angostura bitters and sweet and dry vermouths. You can make most of the classic cocktails with these. Botivo is an incredible modifier in cocktails – use it instead of Suze in a white negroni.

**If money was no object, I’d install a kitchen garden out the back with a home bar.** It would have every variety of citrus tree growing amalfi lemons, bergamots, makrut limes, yuzu and seville oranges. I’d also want a herb garden growing everything from fennel fronds to lemon verbena, wormwood and angelica. I've always loved the beautifully thin glassware from [Kimura](https://la-gent.com/collections/kimura-glass), as well as the [Corinne range](https://www.williamyeowardcrystal.com/american-bar/search-by-collection/c/corinne) from William Yeoward, so I'd be serving drinks in those. And if we’re really dreaming, all the ice would be hand-carved.

*You can find Botivo at* [*Waitrose*](https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/shop/browse/groceries)*,* [*Whole Foods*](https://www.wholefoodsmarket.co.uk/) *&amp;* [*Majestic*](https://www.majestic.co.uk/stores/london)

*Visit* [*BotivoDrinks.com*](https://www.botivodrinks.com/)

 

 

 [ ![](https://media.slman.com/z927EWMC7BC61vowvtZgJjExKqk=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F02%2Fsl-man-my-life-in-booze-botivo-founder-credit-satanswhiskers-1.jpg?itok=1QlvdPTY)

 

 ](https://www.satanswhiskers.com/) 

@satans_whiskers

 

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

## SHOP THE EDIT 

 

 

 

 ![Unfiltered Czech Pilsner from Beak Brewery](https://media.slman.com/UgTIwWrbGQbJ3ONYzwOTFYYROXE=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F02%2Fbeak-brewerys-pilsner.png?itok=HJJUPCyM)

 

[#### Unfiltered Czech Pilsner](https://store.claptoncraft.co.uk/products/beak-dest-unfiltered-czech-pilsner)

 

##### Beak Brewery



 

£4.60

 

 

 

 ![Fade To Black Sparkling Cuvée from Muri](https://media.slman.com/_4zmPgQbEDkc1W3QNSy8TW1uudI=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F02%2Fmuri.png?itok=K60_aN0s)

 

[#### Fade To Black Sparkling Cuvée](https://muri-drinks.com/en-uk/collections/all-product/products/fade-to-black)

 

##### Muri



 

£24

 

 

 

 ![American Bar Corinne Cocktail Shaker With Metal Strainer from William Yeoward Crystal](https://media.slman.com/ChaV9eBG_-YEUm9mcszOPOSkBlc=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F02%2Fcorinne-cocktail-shaker-with-strainer-william-yeoward.png?itok=-DinyujU)

 

[#### American Bar Corinne Cocktail Shaker With Metal Strainer](https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=p6Xs9zyrrlU&mid=37206&murl=https%3A//www.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/william-yeoward-crystal-american-bar-corinne-cocktail-shaker-with-metal-strainer%3FID%3D1811308)

 

##### William Yeoward Crystal



 

£224.55

 

 

 

 ![East London Gin from East London Liquor Co.](https://media.slman.com/uCojze_3-t-NShFKB_Yv_HoLGpc=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F02%2Feast-london-gin-40-abv.png?itok=NXP5R9Sk)

 

[#### East London Gin](https://eastlondonliquorcompany.com/products/london-dry-gin-40-abv)

 

##### East London Liquor Co.



 

£28.50

 

 

 

 ![Bramble, Thorn & Briar 2023: Barrel-Aged Golden Ale from Crossover Blendery](https://media.slman.com/FSCJiKcvSCtNWKaguSCO95Xg_0Q=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F02%2Fcrossover-blendery-delli.png?itok=8jQssx3j)

 

[#### Bramble, Thorn &amp; Briar 2023: Barrel-Aged Golden Ale](https://delli.market/products/crossover-blendery-bramble-thorn-briar-2023-barrelaged-golden-ale)

 

##### Crossover Blendery



 

£9

 

 

 

 ![Bernadotte Bottle Opener from Georg Jensen](https://media.slman.com/sZzA2Gh5TKUNYmLns0Mxl3ZmKp0=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F02%2Fgeorg-jensen-john-lewis.png?itok=arJNDh3S)

 

[#### Bernadotte Bottle Opener](https://john-lewis-and-partners.pxf.io/qzyWGL)

 

##### Georg Jensen



 

£45

 

 

 

 ![Raspberry & Chamomile Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Wine Alternative from Non](https://media.slman.com/PdbrxL1lgarWg7QKfXWmFkbLldg=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F02%2Fraspberry-chamomile-sparkling-non-alcoholic-wine-alternative-non-delli.png?itok=7lV9Tl9_)

 

[#### Raspberry &amp; Chamomile Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Wine Alternative](https://delli.market/products/raspberry-chamomile-sparkling-nonalcoholic-wine)

 

##### Non



 

£20

 

 

 

 ![Courtly Check Wine Cooler from MacKenzie-Childs](https://media.slman.com/pxpBad-m1tGOivKuMhLsuho_jjg=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F02%2Fmackenzie-childs-wine-cooler-harrods.png?itok=TRu0ROFJ)

 

[#### Courtly Check Wine Cooler](https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=etT1jgERWYw&mid=36666&murl=https%3A//www.harrods.com/en-gb/p/mackenzie-childs-courtly-check-wine-cooler-000000000007240074)

 

##### MacKenzie-Childs



 

£110

 

 

 

 ![Kimura Glass Crumple Tumbler Set of 2 from La Gent](https://media.slman.com/z8tESIcfdoCqyicmyXyDBfWDB8E=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F02%2Fkimura-glass-crumple-tumbler-set-of-2-la-gent.png?itok=xejscp4V)

 

[#### Kimura Glass Crumple Tumbler Set of 2](https://la-gent.com/products/kimura-glass-clear-crumple-tumbler-set-of-2-gift-box)

 

##### La Gent



 

£200

 

 

 

 ![Batch 28 Aperitivo from Botivo](https://media.slman.com/ZMEE91zi6kq1sDl9VBCx9M_yVOc=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F02%2Fbotivo.png?itok=jgbiVIOP)

 

[#### Batch 28 Aperitivo](https://shop.botivodrinks.com/products/botivo?variant=42577617551544)

 

##### Botivo



 

£27.50

 

 

 

 ![Into The Haze Beer from Deya Brewery](https://media.slman.com/iQ-p3X1GQnuU5q87pVIdf3caqqo=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F02%2Fdeyas-ipa.png?itok=50Rrutth)

 

[#### Into The Haze Beer](https://www.deyabrewing.com/collections/deya-brewery-taproom/products/500ml-into-the-haze-6-2-ipa)

 

##### Deya Brewery



 

£5.50

 

 

 

 ![Beaujolais from Louis Jadot Quincié](https://media.slman.com/OdFBec5Bp76MSMe3jZ0gl_4hfCs=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F02%2Flouis-jadot-beaujolais-villages-75cl.png?itok=XvIxNATN)

 

[#### Beaujolais](https://www.waitrosecellar.com/products/louis-jadot-quincie-beaujolais-646590)

 

##### Louis Jadot Quincié



 

£11.99 *(was £14.99)*

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.

 

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