Paprika creates a distinctive identity for Belizean botanical bitters

Gaïa Riverlodge and Matachica Resort & Spa commissioned Montreal-based design studio Paprika to develop packaging for a line of alcoholic bitters infused with local botanicals. Rather than creating resort-branded souvenirs, the project positions these handcrafted products as authentic expressions of Belizean craftsmanship – something that could eventually find a home in bars, shops or even the airport. The labels draw directly from the visual language of traditional Belizean rum bottles, a choice that makes sense given bitters’ historical role in rum-based cocktails and rum’s significance in Belize’s distilling culture. Paprika selected Caslon Ionic, a slab serif typeface that immediately evokes heritage and artisanal quality. “Slab serifs are deeply rooted in the visual language of spirits, especially rum, where they have long been used to express heritage, robustness and a hand-crafted quality,” explains Lead Designer Thomas Berthommier. “Since bitters were originally developed for rum-based cocktails, and because rum is a key part of Belize’s own distilling culture, this typographic direction felt both authentic and meaningful.” Where many packaging systems maintain rigid typographic consistency, Paprika created a more expressive approach for the flavour names. Each one receives its own gestural treatment – Habanero curves like a chili pepper, Sea Breeze scatters as if carried by wind, and Lime Leaf & Lemongrass cleverly illustrates both together. These arrangements sit within a consistent structural grid that keeps the range cohesive whilst giving each flavour its own personality. “By intervening only on the arrangement of the flavour name, we could illustrate the sensory experience of each bitter without disrupting the system,” Berthommier notes.