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| The First Scottish Tonic Water |
We enjoyed a lovely evening at Dragonfly bar on West Port in Edinburgh to celebrate the launch of Scotland’s first Tonic Water – Walter Gregor – by Summerhouse Drinks.
Walter Gregor was a Victorian Minister who served the historic parish of Pitsligo in Aberdeenshire. The garden of the Manse where Walter Gregor lived and worked is now being brought back to life by Claire at the team at Summerhouse Drinks, to grow key botanicals for this wonderful new tonic water. Claire has aptly named her latest drink in honour of the minister – I’m sure he enjoyed a wee tipple too!
Summerhouse Drinks will be producing the new Tonic Water in small batches on the family farm by combining quinine from cinchona bark with citric acid and a combination of botanicals, which gives way to a refreshing tonic – the ideal accompaniment for Gin.
With the renaissance of Gin drinking in the UK, what could be more timely than a new tonic to compliment all the wonderful new Scottish Gins.
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| Claire |
We enjoyed the tonic with Rock Rose Gin from Caithness (one of our favourites) and it was served with a sprig of Rosemary.
Canapés for the evening were supplied by Fresh Food Express from Arbroath and were absolutely delicious. This company handpick fresh products from micro suppliers and then deliver them straight to your door. The canapés were an excellent showpiece for the quality food products Scotland has to offer . Check out their website.
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| Canapés |
The tonic water will compliment Summerhouse Drink’s existing range, which includes a tangy and traditional Misty Lemonade, a Scottish Raspberry Lemonade, a Hint of Mint Lemonade, made with infused natural mint and also a subtle and aromatic Lavender Lemonade infused with lavender flowers. All products are 100% natural with no artificial preservatives, colours or flavourings. Claire is also planning on growing mint and lavender in the minister’s garden.
The story of Summerhouse Drinks began in January 2014 and since then Claire has successfully crowdfunded a Summerhouse Van for events and trade shows. The company is also a finalist in the Non Alcoholic Drinks category in the Scottish Food and Drink awards which take place in May 2015. Summerhouse Drinks was also crowned “Best New Retail Product” at Grampian Food Forum Innovation Awards in March 2014 and in March 2015 was awarded runner up in the Artisan Drink category at the Scottish Rural Awards.
Walter Gregor Scottish Tonic Water will be available initially from Summerhousedrinks.com
Canapés for the evening were:
Great Glen Wild Venison with Trotters Wild Garlic Pesto, North Street Dairy Cream Cheese Pinwheels
Arbroath Smokie Pate with Summer Harvest Lemon Dressing and Local Beetroot (amazing!)
Bombay Potato from Angus with Whisky chutney
Hot Arbroath Smoked Salmon and Gin Soaked Cucumber