According to Merriam-Webster, a botanical is a substance derived from a plant used as “medicinal preparation or a flavoring agent. that is especially common in skin and hair products. However, as consumers increasingly become in tune with their health, botanical ingredients are straying beyond the beauty industry and moving into the beverage market.

As a result, beverage-makers are incorporating a plethora of different herbs and spices into their formulations. “There are many types of herbs, flower and spices being incorporated into beverages,” says Holly McHugh, marketing associate at Niles, Ill.-based Imbibe. “Herbs like mint and basil, floral ingredients like lavender and rose, and spices like turmeric and ginger are being used in beverages. These ingredients are used because of their inherent health benefits and to add subtle nuances to traditional flavor profiles like true-to-fruit.”

Read the full article in Beverage Industry.