There are many drinks that are essential at an English summer party – Pimm's, ciders, sparkling wine. But what about those non-alcoholic drinkers? Invest in something delicious for them to enjoy at your next party, besides the classic mainstream soft drinks. Such as what, you ask? Luscombe’s Elderflower Bubbly should do the job nicely.
There are not many flavours that evoke the spirit of the English summer more than the sweet, delicate and floral notes of elderflower. The pretty white flower blossoms on the elder tree are only available for picking during a short time between the beginning of May and the end of June. The workers at Luscombe’s plantation at Darlington Hall in Devon hand-pick these flowers and transport them just 6 miles back to the production facility.
Marketing director for Luscombe, Emma Cotton, told us: “Time between picking and production is minimal, which ensures that the full flavour of the delicate elderflower can be captured in the bottle to produce a beautifully tasting drink.”
The result of the production is two lovely summer drinks. The first one is the aforementioned (and some will say famous) Wild Elderflower Bubbly, which forms the perfect alternative to Champagne. Organic, raw cane sugar and a twist of Sicilian lemon juice help create this refreshing drink. The gentle sparkle lifts the floral notes, making it taste elegant and pair well with food. It’s best enjoyed chilled on its own, but can also contribute to making a smashing summer punch.
The second one is the Elderflower Tonic Water, which works well to drink on its own, or even paired with gin, vodka or other clear spirits. The light floral tonic water, infused with wild English elderflower and Indian quinine help create a refreshing, crisp and instantly summery cocktail. In fact, it’s so good it has been awarded two stars in the Great Taste award in its first year of production.
Where can you get your hands on these drinks? All Luscombe’s drinks are available to purchase from independent retailers, farm shops and online via Amazon. A range of nationwide bars and restaurants also stock them.
Looking to get even more party ready? Check out our list of easy-to-make summer cocktails to turn out at home
This piece is sponsored by Luscombe's