Grand Rapids Zoo and Distillery Launch New Otter-Inspired Drink

I may have just found my sip of the summer! It's made locally, sounds delicious, and somehow involves otters? Whoa. Talk about being right up my alley.

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You may remember that John Ball Zoo recently celebrated the opening of its brand-new North American river otter habitat during OtterPalooza.

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The old otter habitat had been around for 40 years, so it was due for an upgrade. The new space is more than three times larger, covering over 3,200 square feet and featuring roughly 21,000 gallons of water.

Underwater viewing windows give visitors a closer look at the otters swimming, digging, exploring, and generally being their usual adorable, chaotic selves.

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The habitat also became home to two new male otters, giving visitors even more reason to stick around and watch one of the zoo’s most entertaining animals.

John Ball Zoo via Facebook

Now, that otter excitement is spilling beyond the zoo gates!

A New Way to Celebrate the Otters

John Ball Zoo has teamed up with Grand Rapids-based Long Road Distillers to create Otter Watter, a limited-edition watermelon, lime, and mint vodka soda.

John Ball Zoo via Facebook

Sounds like summer to me! The limited-edition canned beverage is 5% ABV 100 calories. You can find it at Long Road Distillers tasting rooms, John Ball Zoo, and select bars and stores around Michigan.

A Grand Rapids Distillery With Deep Local Roots

If you're not familiar with Long Road Distillers, they first opened on Leonard Street on Grand Rapids’ west side in 2015. Since then, the spirits maker has built a reputation around Michigan-grown ingredients and creative spirits, including Asparagin Gin made with asparagus from Mears, and a raspberry liqueur featuring hand-picked berries from Hudsonville.

In addition to embracing what makes our state unique, they also support causes important to Michiganders, like helping out wildlife.

Otter Watter Supports Grand River Conservation

While Otter Watter was created to celebrate John Ball Zoo's otter habitat, the conservation impact reaches beyond the otters themselves.

According to the zoo, a portion of Otter Watter sales profits will help support efforts to protect species and habitats connected to the Grand River ecosystem. That could help everything from fish and birds to the wider web of wildlife that depends on healthy waterways around West Michigan.