Fentimans Tonic Waters and Mixers: a brand story, botanical brewing and your guide for how to pair Fentimans mixers with spirits.
Fentimans Mixers – Photo Supplied
About Fentimans
Fentimans was established in 1905 by Thomas Fentiman, an iron puddler from Cleckheaton, England. A fellow tradesman approached him for a loan and when they struck a deal, a recipe for botanically brewed ginger beer was provided as security. The loan was never repaid so Thomas became the owner of the unique recipe.
Thomas began producing botanically brewed ginger beer using the recipe and delivering door-to-door using a horse and cart for transport. His Ginger Beer was stored in stone jars known as Grey Hens, which bear the image of Fearless, the family dog.
Over 100 years later, the business is still in the Fentiman family and is owned by Eldon Robson, the Great Grandson of Thomas Fentiman. The old stone jars have since been replaced by glass bottles still adorned by the image of Fearless.
Fentimans Botanical Brewing
Fentimans is hand-crafted in small batches and botanically brewed for 7 days in a multi-stage process from botanicals to bottle.
The process begins by carefully selecting and sourcing ingredients from around the world. The botanicals are infused in simmering water to extract the natural flavours, a process that takes time to create a concentrated and balanced botanical liquid, which is then ready to be fermented.
Fermentation using live yeast takes place for 7 days in classic open square fermentation vessels which allows rich and complex flavours to slowly develop as the yeast, sugar and natural pear juice come to life. It is this process that sets Fentimans apart and allows the flavour compounds to be created which contribute to the overall depth, complexity and flavour of the finished liquid.
The fermented botanical liquid is enhanced with natural flavours and essential oils extracted in-house from sourced ingredients. Water and natural beet sugar are added before carbonation gives a sparkle to the liquid.
Pasteurisation follows not only to extend the life of the mixers but to help meld together the array of essential oils, botanical extracts and flavours.
How to Pair Fentimans Mixers with Spirits
Fentimans is award winning across the full range of tonics and mixers. It pairs well with a wide of range of spirits including non-alcoholic options.
Indian Tonic Water
Fentimans Indian Tonic Water is a robust, bitter tonic water with a big pronounced profile from the botanically brewed process. It is best paired with London dry gins and bold gins that can cut through the big flavours in the tonic water. Such an example is The West Winds Gin The Cutlass, a savoury style of gin bottled at 50% ABV. Using 30ml gin to 100 ml mixer results in a balanced drink where the gin retains its character with underlying bitterness from the tonic water.
Connoisseurs Tonic Water
Fentimans Connoisseurs Tonic Water has half the amount of quinine as Fentimans Indian Tonic Water. Halving the bittering element makes lighter gins more accessible and is the choice for new world gins and when the aim is to retain the true flavour profile of the gin such as with Chase Extra Dry Gin.
Naturally Light Tonic Water
Fentimans Naturally Light Tonic Water contains the same botanicals as the Indian Tonic Water but with 30% less sugar. It contains fructose (fruit sugar) and glucose syrup compared to the Indian Tonic that also contains pure sugar. It pairs well with big citrus flavours, is an alternative to the Gin & Sonic (gin with half tonic water and half soda water), and works well with a classic London dry gin and vodka such as Grey Goose Vodka.
Pink Grapefruit Tonic Water
Fentimans Pink Grapefruit Tonic Water is made with ruby red grapefruit and quinine and is distinguished by its pale pink colour. The delicate citrus aroma is complemented by a hint of orange and the palate combines the juicy flavours of the pink grapefruit with quinine. It pairs perfectly with a blanco tequila such as Altos Tequila Blanco to go with the bright zesty citrus notes of the grapefruit. Add a pinch of salt for an alternative to the Paloma.
Valencian Orange Tonic Water
Fentimans Valencian Orange Tonic Water is the first ever Tonic Water to win an award at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and also Gold Bartender’s Award in 2018 and 2019. Made with sweet Valencian oranges and infused with lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves, it works well in the low and no category, in aromatised wines such as Manzanilla sherry and vermouth. It finds its ideal match with Cognac such as H by Hine Cognac (30 ml Cognac, 100 ml Valencian Orange Tonic Water) as it enhances the spirit’s orange notes.
Rose Lemonade
Fentimans Rose Lemonade is made with pure rose oil sourced from the Rose Valley in Kazanlak, Bulgaria and the juice of lemons. Its pale, blush pink colour may change ever so slightly with the seasons but the delicate balance of citrus and rose flavours is always retained. In keeping on trend with low ABV options, use it in equal parts with dry Prosecco DOC to add complexity and length to a Rose Spritz.
Ginger Ale
Fentimans Ginger Ale has a subtle ginger flavour complemented by orange and herbal infusions of galangal and cinnamon. It pairs well with Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 to highlight the big, sweet candied banana flavours and enhance the spice and citrus notes.
Ginger Beer
Structural and complex, Fentimans Ginger Beer is where it started for Fentimans, a ginger beer brewed in open containers for seven days before the yeast is strained off. Naturally cloudy, it has a pleasant funky aroma, and delivers a big ginger and spice note balanced by the sweetness of a hint of pear. Fentimans Ginger Beer pairs well with spiced rums such as Sailor Jerry.
The range of Fentimans is available through Boozebud.
Click through to the following pages to see images of serving suggestions.
In partnership with Stuart Alexander, distributors of Fentimans in Australia.
