Soft drinks

drinks of a non-alcoholic nature produced from natural ingredients

Blossomtime in Putley

4 May 2013 - 5 May 2013

As the blossom emerges on the trees, so last year's cider gets ready for release, and there's no better place to try it then at The Big Apple's annual Blossomtime Festival. Located in the orchard heaven that is Much Marcle, near Hereford and Ledbury, there's talks, walks and plenty to taste and sip.

Waulkmill Cider

Waulkmill Cider, sat in luscious countryside between Langholm and Eskdalemuir, prides itself on being a truly Scottish enterprise, producing cider that is grown, picked and fermented in Dumfries and Galloway. They produce still cider, apple juice, and most recently cider vinegar, all from several Scottish apple varieties blended with local crab apples and traditional cider apples.

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Drinking with Damien

Tate Britain bar

The Tate Modern’s much anticipated Damien Hirst exhibition will be running between April and September this year, and to pay homage to the Bristol born artist’s roots, the gallery will be serving a specially curated British drinks list.

Luckily the Tate’s bar manager and drinks buyer Alex Stevenson isn’t taking the theme too literally, so there won’t be any deftly shaken shots of formaldehyde making their way into classic cocktails.

Instead, expect to see spirits and liqueurs from English producers such as Bramley & Gage, Chase, Sipsmith, The Somerset Cider Brandy Company and Compass Box expertly crafted into drinks that will change as the British summertime comes and goes.

Posted on 16 Feb 2012 in

Everyone's a winner

Ridgeway Bad King John

That’s what I love about British drinks. Even when you’re being healthy, there’s so much variety out there.

In our latest Drinks of the Month we have all tastes covered, from Britain’s freshly crowned Champion Winter Ale, Alfie’s Revenge from Cornwall, through to a tangy, toothsome apple juice from the National Trust’s Killerton Estate near Exeter and Belvoir’s ethereal Elderflower Cordial.

Posted on 23 Jan 2012 in

Wright's Original Dark Ginger

It might seem like ginger is the latest craze to hit our flavour-hungry palates. Well Wrights Original could claim to be the daddy of them all, with its Dark Ginger created from a traditional recipe dating back to the 19th century.

It's got a fab lick of spicy ginger and is unashamedly sweet. My tip therefore is to add a generous squeeze of lime and enjoy over ice. Or follow the creators' suggestion and add a splash of soda or sparkling water.

Find at Farm Shops around Surrey and in selected National Trust properties

Posted on 22 Jan 2012 in

Lull

Here's something that little bit different. Deliberately designed to be healthy, Lull is super-charged with natural botanicals, from lavender to green tea, lemon balm to fennel, plus – of course – the hint of hops, and some anti-oxidant fruits.

The first creation of new drinks entrepreneur Claire Lettice, although it's only the hops that come originally from the UK, all the botanicals are produced in Herefordshire.

available Fortnum & Mason, online at Lull: 2x25cl, inc P&P: £7.50 – & France

Posted on 22 Jan 2012 in

Killerton Estate Apple Juice

Now this is what apple juice should taste like. A moreish blend of tart and sweet, Killerton Estate Apple Juice tastes like a mix of Cox, Bramleys and more mellow varieties.

But then this juice is made from what one might call an orchard blend on the Killerton Estate near Exeter, the National Trust's flagship property on the sustainable stakes.

£4.50/75cl; Killerton Estate Shop, Kitchen Restaurant & Tea Room

Posted on 21 Jan 2012 in

Belvoir Elderflower Cordial

Throw off the thoughts of Winter with this very essence of Spring, Belvoir's Elderflower Cordial. Serve chilled with plenty of ice and either a sprig of mint or the neatest sliver of fresh ginger to give this delicate floral-infused drink a little lift.

c. £4; available delicatessens, food halls, farm shops & major supermarkets; or online. 

Posted on 21 Jan 2012 in

Juiceology Apple, Lime & Mint

It was like sticking my nose in an English herb garden when I sniffed Juiceology's Apple, Lime & Mint drink – evocative and inspriing.

With its tang of apple, just the right amount of lime, and a friendly flourish of English mint, this is my style of soft drink.

It's one of a quartet of drinks launched by top mixologist Joe McCanta with the help of entrepreneur Richard Watson – he'd been bemoaning the lack of decent soft drinks.

 

£1.69; Fortnum & Mason, Whole Foods, Harvey Nichols, www.tastejuiceology.com

 

Posted on 20 Jan 2012 in

Shops to detour for...

National Cider and Perry Collection

Shops definitely worth making tracks for, for their superlative range of products, both local and regional include the following:

The Tiddly Pomme at Brogdale, The Marketplace, Brogdale Farm, Faversham, MW13 8XZ, 01795 529100

National Collection of Cider & Perry, Middle Farm, Firle,  Lewes, East Sussex BN8 6LJ, 01323 811411 - pictured

 

Posted on 16 Dec 2011 in