The International Award-Winning Okavango Gin Stirs the Spirit of Adventure

In this interview, we get to know the story behind The Okavango Gin. We chat with Ruth de Nobrega, to find out more, including how they make their gin, how best to serve it and their plans for the future.

Please tell us about yourself? Who are you, where you are from and how you ended up in the Okavango

My name is Ruth de Nobrega, I am originally from South Africa. I moved to Botswana in 2013 working in the tourism industry.

What did you do before creating your gin/distillery?

I was a wildlife photographic guide.

Tell us how you first came to distilling. What is it that you love about gin?

Gin is a wonderful way to celebrate and showcase local botanicals

So what is the reason you chose this particular area/region/town to set up a distillery? Why the name Okavango Gin? 

We wanted Okavango Gin to be a celebration of the wild, natural, and pure places that fill us with a sense of wonder and adventure. Our team is made up of a group of nature loving people who all reside in Maun, it was the most obvious option for us to focus our brand towards the natural space that we get to call home, the Okavango Delta.

Can you tell us more about the distillery and still?

Overlooking a seasonal floodplain of the Okavango Delta, our off-grid distillery is immersed within this very special ecosystem that inspired our brand. The decision to base our distillery out here, near the rural village of Tsutsubega, was not one driven by economics nor return on investment. The decision was born out of the desire to create genuine employment opportunities where they don’t currently exist. Employment opportunities which will empower the community to become less reliant on subsistence lifestyles which inevitably result in conflict with nature. When you are not fighting nature it is easier to be inspired by it. In making this important decision we also hope to inspire others to base their investment decisions on factors that go beyond economic and monetary gain. This is a mindset necessary for a more sustainable world.

Remoteness, simplicity, and nature are elements that both surround our distillery and define who we are. Our traditional age-old copper pot still is our tool we have chosen which produces the rustic charm signature to Okavango gin.

Can you tell us more about the distillation process? walk us through the basic steps. What makes Okavango Gin distilling methods special? What is your favourite part of the process?

We use a slow extraction process, where we macerate all our ingredients, place them all into a pillowcase and leave them to soak in our base alcohol for 12 hours. This method helps us extract all the aromatic oils from the botanicals and spices that make up our ingredients. The botanicals are removed from the traditional copper pot still before the distilling process begins.

What role do botanicals play in the distilling process? How did you sample and select the botanicals that made it into your final recipe? How long did it take to fine tune the final recipe?

Botanicals play a vital role in distilling gin. They bring the flavour profile to each gin, Contemporary Craft gins are often a celebration of botanicals local to the area from which the gin comes from. We have an abundance of Mopane Trees in Botswana so naturally we began experimenting with it. We then discovered that the Mopane seed hold similar properties to that of the Juniper Berry, a compound called A-pinene. The Mopane Seed has become the star ingredient of Okavango Gin, giving the gin the earthy rustic charm, it’s known for.

Do you host tours? If yes, what can visitors experience if they visit the distillery for a tour/tasting?

No not currently

What have been the biggest challenges/achievements, or your favourite story so far?

Being located 16km on a dirt road out of Maun we have certainly experienced our fair deal of challenges with regards to the logistics in getting supplies to and from our distillery. I think our greatest achievements have been winning 2 international awards for our gin.

How would you describe your gin/s in 3 words? What’s your favourite way to enjoy Okavango gin? Any recommended drinks or serves? What’s your favourite way to drink your gin?

Source to Sunset

Lots of ice, Indian Tonic, to garnish squeeze the zest of an Orange or Grapefruit over your drink before dropping it in.

What’s next for you and your gin/distillery – any exciting plans?

Okavango Gin plans to release a new limited edition gin this year…

How has local gin scene evolved since Okavango Gin was founded?  How do you see the gin scene doing in 5-10 years?

Okavango Gin still remains the only craft distillery in Botswana, but im sure in time this will change. Gin and Tonic has been the preferred sundowner drink whilst on Safari for decades so we hope that in terms of our local market this will continue to be the trend.

Apart from your shop, where can customers buy your Gin? Do you export/have you exported? If yes to where?

Our Gin is available nationwide through YM Online and at most Liquorama shops.