 Start-up drinks brand Bemuse is shortlisted in the Brand Launch of the Year category in the Food and Drink Federation Awards 2022. Having just celebrated its first anniversary, the brand is vying for the ultimate crown against food and drink sector big-hitters including Mars Food, Princes and Walkers. Nature inspired Bemuse supports the UK’s dwindling bee population by reimagining ancient honey drink mead for a modern audience. My interest piqued, the company kindly sent me some drinks to try. I can say that they went down very well indeed especially on these, the hottest days of the year! Besides the fact Bemuse is deliciously tasty, the drinks are low in sugar, alcohol and calories, all natural and gluten free to boot. Can't be bad, can it? Let me tell you about the flavours available. Light and fruity Hops Infused Sparkling Low Alcohol Mead is described as 'curiously crisp and hoppy.' Brewed with wildflower honey, the flavour may change slightly depending on the flowers the bees go to. Pair this one with fish or barbecued meats. Raspberry Sparkling Low Alcohol Mead is described as 'curiously fresh and aromatic'. Light and refreshing, this contains orange blossom honey and raspberries. The scent is light, citrusy, with a super-refreshing taste which has the merest hint of sweetness. Pair with tart dressings and sauces or enjoy with cheese, salad or dessert. Ginger & Cardamom Sparkling Low Alcohol Mead is described as 'curiously zesty and fragrant'. Brewed with apple blossom honey, it has a pleasant, fresh scent and added zing due to the addition of aromatic ginger and cardamom. Pair with spicy, highly seasoned foods or something with a sweet glaze or sauce. Tarragon, Basil & Hops Sparkling Low Alcohol Mead is described as 'curiously tangy, smoky and refreshing'. The honey is from ling heather blossoms found on Scottish moors with the addition of tarragon, basil and hops. Delicately refreshing, it is slightly tangy with a mild sweetness and hint of smokiness. Pair with light seafood or herby dishes . Co-founder Anna Chalov explained, 'From the beginning, we had a very clear vision for Bemuse and wanted to create a non-alcoholic drink that was refreshing. tasty, low in calories but which also supported the natural world. In Bemuse, we have created a unique drinks category as the only range of non-alcoholic craft meads and which are produced by natural fermentation of honey, water and yeast, infused with natural ingredients to create four distinctive flavours. '  FDF award winners will be revealed at a ceremony hosted by Jay Rayner on 15 September. Bemuse sparkling low-alcohol meads are 0.5% ABV and available in 330ml fully recycled cans. https://www.bemusedrinks.com  images (c) Bemuse & Mike Pickup
Stockists include WiseBartender Bemuse has achieved wide distribution through online and specialist UK drinks retailers and the lightly sparkling, low-alcohol meads are a refreshing alternative for hot summer days. Bemuse has recently expanded distribution into the Netherlands, with discussions ongoing for distribution in other overseas markets and will shortly launch a crowdfunding campaign to expand and secure additional listings.  Pataka Ginger Liqueur, produced using Fairtrade root ginger and 100% Fairtrade sugar, adds an exotic, fiery, spicy touch to a cocktail. It's a perfect warmer for these chilly winter evenings, but that's not really surprising, after all, Pataka means 'firecracker' in Punjabi. I received a bottle of the golden liqueur from the nice people at Mangrove UK to see what I thought. So, what's my verdict? It has a cockle- warming flavour which reminded me of old fashioned ginger sweets. It is fresh, fragrant, appealingly fiery and pleasantly smooth. Since it contains no extra flavouring or spices, there is no chemical aftertaste at all. Definitely a great addition to any drinks cabinet. And here are some recipes from Mangrove UK that you can try Mulled Ginger: for when mulled wine needs an extra kick Warm a glass of red wine in a pan, add 30ml Pataka, a slice of orange and a cinammon stick. Good to go! East Side: a short shaken glass of fiery goodness Add ice to a shaker with 40ml Pataka Ginger Liqueur, 10ml navy strength gin, 25ml fresh lime juice, 8 mint leaves and 10ml sugar syrup. Shake and strain into a glass. Fire Cracker : simple but full of flavour Pour 50ml Pataka over a tall glass filled with ice and top with ginger ale. Pataka ginger liqueur can be used in lots of cocktail recipes, so if you have any brilliant ideas that you'd like me to share, do let me know and I can add them here.   Stockists:
Master of Malt Whiskey Exchange The Drink Supermarket RRP £24 The brand is owned by French company Ethical Wine & Spirits and developed jointly with MANGROVE in the UK. EWS is dedicated to producing high-quality spirits sourced ethically and sustainably.
 Croft launched the first ever rose port wine in 2008. Now they have developed bold, novel Croft Pink & Tonic. Flavours combine ripe cherry and raspberry, with hints of honey and grapefruit. After chilling, serve over ice with a citrus slice or berry fruits. Original and unique, I can say that both of these drinks are fabulous in any setting!  all images (c) Mike Pickup
The nice people at https://www.mentzendorff.co.uk sent samples in exchange for an honest review. I can say they went down very well indeed! CROFT PINK & TONIC stockists: The Champagne Company, The Drinks Emporium, Amazon TAYLOR’S CHIP DRY & TONIC stockists: Amazon, Harvey Nichols, EH Booth, Ocado, The Secret Bottle Shop www.croftpink.com www.taylor.pt  ..... from the Douro Valley, Portugal ........ White port is not terribly well known in the UK so is super value for money. It's not really white either, more of a pale amber or straw colour. So, to the nitty gritty. Fonseca Siroco White Port first introduced to the UK in the 1950s, is a blend of classic white Port grape varieties, predominantly Malvasia Fina, with smaller proportions of Gouveio, Viosinho, Rabigato and Arinto grown on the cooler, higher vineyards of the beautiful Douro Valley. It gets its crisp dry finish because it is allowed to ferment longer than other Port styles before it is fortified. Ageing in small oak vats gives Siroco its smoothness, blend of fruity flavours and delicate nuttiness.
Generally speaking, Port is enjoyed at the end of a meal. However, the exception is white Port. You can serve it chilled in a white wine glass or pour it over ice then top up with tonic - around 100ml port to 150 ml tonic - garnished with a slice of lemon or orange and a sprig of mint. Personally, I like to add a stick of cinnamon to my glass, but however you choose to dress it up, it makes a refreshing long drink. If real decadence is what you're after, have it for pudding, with white chocolate covered strawberries..... mmm. It's less decadent but also delicious if you accompany it with salted almonds or olives. Once the bottle is open, dry white Port will keep for around two weeks or so in the fridge. Sweet versions last longer, for a couple of months or more, though are so tasty, they quite possibly won't last that long!
With over 160 years experience, Mentzendorff is one of the United Kingdom’s longest-established wine importers. RSP: £17.00 Stockists: Secret Bottle Shop, thedrinkshop.com, Amazon, Hay Wines About: Fonseca Siroco dry white port is a balance of ripe fruit, delicate acidity and elegant notes of wood aging. Full and fruity on the palate, it has a lingering finish and an attractive, refreshing crispness. Disclaimer: Mentzendorff kindly sent me a bottle of Fonseca Siroco White Port in return for an honest review.  Fonseca Port, Douro Valley, Portugal Bin 27 shares the heritage, style, depth and character of the great Fonseca Vintage Ports. Fonseca Bin 27 was launched in Britain 40 years ago and continues to be blended from selected reserve Ports chosen for their smooth, round, full bodied palate and fine, intense fruit character. Some of these wines are drawn from Fonseca’s own estates while others are produced from grapes supplied by independent farmers with which the company maintains a close relationship. Wines are matured in large seasoned oak vats to give them smoothness and complexity while retaining their intense fruit character. Blended for consistency of character and quintessentially Fonseca in style, Bin 27 is bottled when ready to drink. Cheers! images Douro (c) Gilly Pickup
  Bin 27 makes an excellent end to a meal with chocolate brownies or rich dark chocolate truffles. Like all youthful red Ports, Bin 27 is also an excellent match for soft ripe cheeses and berry fruit dishes. Fonseca Bin 27 RSP: £13.50 Stockists: Majestic, Wine Rack, Getir, Virgin Wines Fonseca shipped its first vintage Port to London in 1840 and by the mid-19th century had become among Engand's most sought after. Releases of 1851 and 1868 vintages built the House’s renown as a master of vintage Port. Fonseca’s three Quintas, or vineyard sites, are at the heart of the House’s idiosyncratic style of Port, allowing the production of distinctive wines, whilst also being a leader in organic and sustainable viticulture in the Douro Valley.
Quinta do Panascal was one of the first properties to have organically certified vineyards as early as 1992, whilst Quinta de Santo António is a prize-winning model of sustainable viticulture. In 2002, Fonseca were first to produce a fully organic Port, Terra Prima, produced from a specific vineyard plot managed by head winemaker David Guimaraens. For more information on these and many other wines, visit https://www.mentzendorff.co.uk Established in 1792, Bodegas Hidalgo is one of the oldest Sherry producers in the world. It is quite rightly regarded as the definitive Manzanilla house, using only grapes from their own vineyards.
images Douro Valley (c) Gilly Pickup  Made in the coastal town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Manzanilla is a light, delicate, dry sherry which makes a fabulous aperitif. It can also be matched to almost any dish and is ideal to accompany tapas, mild cheeses and nuts. I love it with fish and chips! It isn't expensive either. And the name? The picture on the label shows a ‘gitana' or gypsy woman who, so the story goes, worked in a bar. Her looks captivated Eduardo Hidalgo, an ancestor of the present owner. Now to the Tasting Notes: Very dry, refreshing, with apple, straw and nutty flavours. Light herbal notes underscored by a salty tang from the sea breeeze. Subtle, balanced. In fact, the perfect introduction to sherry. The Manzanillas, premium and aged Sherries produced by the Bodega, are seen as benchmarks of quality worldwide. Using the best Palomino Fino grapes grown in bright albariza soils, gradual biological ageing via the solera process produces the saline, fresh Manzanillas of Sanlucar.  Bodegas Hidalgo La Gitana Manzanilla
RSP: £11.19 (75cl), £8.00 (50cl) Stockists : Waitrose (75cl) Sainsburys, Majestic & Tesco (50cl) Want a taste of Italy without the hassle of getting there? The answer is Canvino, a fabulous new sparkling vegan wine which comes in recyclable cans. Easier to transport than bottles, the cans are lightweight and the wine stays sparkly and cooler for longer!  image (c) Mike Pickup
The wine comes from grapes sourced from a family-owned vineyard which has produced wine for a century using the traditional Charmat or tank method. In case you're wondering, that is the main process used for Prosecco and Lambrusco wines. Canvino comes in two flavours, Rosé and Bianco, ideal for indoor or outdoor celebrations. Sparkling Bianco is a crisp and dry white wine, medium bodied, easy to drink. Although dry is style it is fresh and fruity with light floral notes. Rose is medium-dry, lightly sparkling and refreshing with well balanced fruit notes. Launched in 2021, all natural Canvino is the perfect companion for any event and is 100% vegan too. Marc Laventure, Co-Founder of Canvino, said; “The canned wine market has soared in popularity over the past few years in the UK, so we are delighted to launch Canvino as the perfect new addition to your favourite portable tipples. We’re proud to deliver crisp and refreshing Italian sparkling wines that are as easy on the eye as they are to drink. Whatever the occasion, add some fizz to the party this year with a Canvino.” Can I recommend it wholeheartedly? Yes, definitely. Gets a big 10 out of 10 from me! Canvino is available at £3 per can with free shipping on packs of 12 or more from houseofcanvino.com, Amazon and other selected retailers. The team launched in July with two award-winning sparkling wines (Bianco and Rosé), which are both refreshing, medium-dry and very easy to drink. Following this they will launch two Italian and wine-based cocktails, their take on an Aperitivo Spritz and a Raspberry Bellini in 2022. (I was sent some cans of Canvino to try in return for an unbiased review, which all of my reviews are!)  After what feels like forever, most pubs have reopened and now that barbecues and picnics are in full flow, there's no better time for Salcombe Brewery to launch their vegan and gluten free pale ale, ‘Sun Drop’. Using a blend of American hops, ‘Sun Drop’ has a fruity, citrusy aroma of melon, orange and pink grapefruit, mmmm lovely! It's absolutely guaranteed to pack a punch and quench the thirst. Although proudly gluten free and vegan friendly, this dry-hopped ale is simply bursting with all the flavour you would expect from a regular ale. Of course it is tops when drunk on its own, but it is also delicious when served with food, including for example, a sweet potato curry or barbequed marinated vegetables. Ale lovers, you will be delighted, I promise. "BEER IS PROOF THAT GOD LOVES US AND WANTS US TO BE HAPPY" - Benjamin Franklin Owner of Salcombe Brewery, John Tiner says, “We’ve spent a considerable time creating the perfect gluten free and vegan friendly beer using the finest ingredients. We want as many people as possible to enjoy our beer and ‘Sun Drop’ has made this possible. It’s been a difficult few months for the brewery industry and its trade customers; we’re delighted that pubs and restaurants are getting back to normal. We are very grateful to our household customers who have been extremely supportive by purchasing our beer and Ocean Cider from our online shop for nationwide delivery or making use of our free local delivery.” Keep reading for more info on other delights available from Salcombe Brewery - look below the images.... A FINE BEER MAY BE JUDGED WITH ONLY ONE SIP, BUT IT'S BETTER TO BE THOROUGHLY SURE - Czech Proverb
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