Drinks of the Month

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

Along the way we take in the dramatic Bad King John, Ridgeway’s winner of the Sainsbury’s Great British Beer Hunt, a marvellously tasty 2.7% beer from Adnams, Sole Star, plus two of my recent finds from the West, Bristol Beer Factory’s Southville Hop and Bath Ales’ moreish Barnsley.

And for those wanting to ramp-up the anti-oxidants and other healthy stuff, there’s Lull, one of Joe McCanta’s new creations, Juiceology, and Wrights Original – the rather decadent Dark Ginger.

Finally, don’t miss out on the fizz with new English winery, Wareside Wines, and head back into history with Harvey’s incomparable Imperial Extra Double Stout.

Here's to a fantastic 2012!

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

Wareside Wines Sparkling 2008

Lightly biscuity with white peach notes, this is a highly promising sparkling wine from the Briscoes in Hertfordshire.

As with the majority of the smaller English and Welsh wineries, Wareside Wines has no winery on site at the moment. So the Briscoes' Pinot Noir joins with Chardonnay from Martin Oldaker in Surrenden in Kent, with Vince at Stanlake Park acting as midwife-winemaker.

£22, from winery; The Vine Shop, Ware

Posted on 22 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

Adnams Sole Star

Before you switch off at the sight of this low alcohol beer from those purveyors of flavour, Adnams – please don't.

With his customary flair, far-sighted head brewer Fergus has tweaked his malt recipe so that, yes, there's plenty of flavour.

Posted on 21 Jan 2012 in

Bath Ales Barnsey

Resolutely mahogany in colour with a rich malt flavour, Barnsey is the new name for what was Bath Ales' Barnstormer.

Named originally in honour of Bath Ales founder Roger Jones' good friend and ex-Bath and England rugby player, Sky Sports presenter Stuart Barnes, the rechristening "continues to reflect our considerable admiration for Stuart, known affectionately as Barrel Barnsey". 

4.5%; c. £2/50cl; available in bottle, cask, minikeg; brewery shop, Bath Ale pubs, selected Sainsburys

Posted on 21 Jan 2012 in

Bristol Beer Factory Southville Hop

The Bristol Beer Factory may be best known for its way with malts – the 12 Stouts of Christmas series is pure genius – but don't let that fool you into thinking the Southville posse don't appreciate the odd hop or two.

This award-winning brew – SIBA south-West Bottled Beer Champion 2011 since you ask – packs a fab New World hop-kick

6.5%; £2.20/50cl; Bristol Beer Factory shop

Posted on 21 Jan 2012 in

Harveys Imperial Extra Double Stout

We tried this Harveys beer before we were aware of its illustrious history – a beer that sailed the waves to the Imperial Russian Court before falling into obscurity post-World War Two.

Having consulted The friendly Oxford Companion to Beer, we find out that, luckily for us the Yanks were intrigued, so much so they commissioned top British brewers to recreate the style.

9%, Harveys Shops & Online; £2.30-£3/27.5cl; Cobbetts of Dorking & other independent beer shops

Posted on 21 Jan 2012 in

Ridgeway Bad King John

It was the week after New Year and I just happened to be stocking up in Sainsbury's, as you do. Imagine my delight when, far from empty shelves, there was a good supply of none other than the Sainsbury's Great British Beer Hunt winner, Bad King John from Ridgeway Brewery.

Easy choice that one and, sampling it now, it's lost none of its appeal.

6%, £2.09; Sainsburys & selected independent beer shops

Posted on 18 Jan 2012 in

Alfie's Revenge

Named after a notorious critter – a stuffed squirrel – that used to preside over the Driftwood Spars bar, this is full of flavour with a good balance between seasoned malt, a moreish bitterness and an enthusiastically hoppy finish.

No wonder if was crowned the 2012 Winter Ale of Britain. CAMRA judges describe this as a "strong and fruity, well-balanced premium ale".

6.5%

Posted on 18 Jan 2012 in