Herbarium Distillation 29

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

I do enjoy a refreshing G&T on a sunny afternoon, but I don’t always want the hangover that one too many glasses brings.  Fortunately, there are now some excellent non alcoholic gins available, enabling me to enjoy all the deliciousness of a sophisticated G&T but without the headache.

Herbarium 29 is the brainchild of friends Andrew Stacey & Steve Brown who struggled to find an alcohol free alternative to gin. After deciding that the best option was to simply take the alcohol out of gin they focussed on this idea and after a lot of experimentation Herbarium was born.

It is delicious served with ice and tonic for a refreshing drink, or if you are feeling a little more adventurous why not try making mocktails?

Distilled in copper pot stills they hand distil small batches of the highest quality, hand selected  botanicals to create a well-balanced, complex spirit that has the beautiful mouthfeel and fresh dryness that you expect from a premium gin. I tried it initially with an unflavoured light tonic to get the full flavour, garnishing with a slice of lime. The botanical flavours really stood out and it made a really refreshing drink.  

I also tried a Herblet Cocktail which can be made with these ingredients

Ice

50ml Herbarium

50ml Lime cordial

50ml water

2tsp sugar syrup

Lime to garnish

With strong notes of juniper and citrus and the classic bitterness that you expect from gin but without any of the alcohol, Herbarium is the perfect drink this summer. You still get the party taste without the hangover – what’s not to like!

A 70cl bottle costs £24.80 and is available from the Herbarium website (there is currently a 20% discount if you use the code SUMMER20), Master of Malt and Amazon.

BOWSER LEAF

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are our own

We’re almost half way through Dry January and with so many new and exciting non-alcoholic drinks to try I’ve found I haven’t missed alcohol at all!  

Ordinarily I do enjoy a nice G&T so was really pleased to receive a bottle of BOWSER LEAF from Conker Distillery. Launched in 2021 LEAF is a unique botanical blend offering all the complexities of a premium gin but without the alcohol.  It can be served with ice and tonic for a refreshing drink or if you are feeling a little more adventurous you can create a mocktail?

Distilled in copper pot stills using New Forest Spring Water, five carefully selected botanicals – Patchouli, Mint, Basil, Tarragon and Thyme are distilled separately and blended carefully to create a well-balanced, complex spirit that has a beautiful mouthfeel and that vital fresh dryness that you expect from a premium gin. I tried it with an unflavoured light tonic to get the full flavour and I was really impressed.

A hint of spice, followed by fresh mint and thyme, this is a sophisticated drink that is refreshing, light and best of all doesn’t leave you with a hangover the following morning. It has the classic gin bitterness but with none of the alcohol or calories (BOWSER is calorie free) so it is much better for your waistline too!

BOWSER is perfect when you want something special that isn’t alcoholic. A party taste without the hangover – what’s not to like!

A 70cl bottle costs £20 and is available from Ocado