Pubs and bars can enhance the flavour of premium and craft dark spirits in a refreshing serve with the launch of Sekforde Bespoke Botanical Mixers.
The all-natural mixers are designed to complement the flavours of rum and whiskey without overpowering their character, helping operators capitalise on the continued strong growth of premium spirits in the on-trade – 25% of customers now frequently drink cocktails and mixed drinks made with premium spirits (CGA, 2016). Family-owned start-up business Sekforde is targeting both pub and bar groups and independents.
Sekforde for Rum is made with aromatic lime, while Sekforde for Whiskey includes delicate orange. Both use a subtle, balanced blend of natural botanicals and English spring water, with each lightly carbonated 200ml serve containing fewer than 40 calories. That means customers stay under 100 calories with a standard spirit single and under 150 calories with a standard double – less than a large glass of wine or a pint of beer. They also come in well below the proposed sugar tax threshold, with no artificial sweeteners, flavours or preservatives.
The two recipes were created on Sekforde Street in London, giving the business and brand its name. Founder Talula White’s husband Tom originally combined fruit and herbs with natural spring water to develop mixers which are as refreshing when combined with dark spirits as tonic water is with gin.
She says: “Sekforde mixers are the first to be individually designed to complement and enhance the flavour profiles of rum and whiskey, not crowd them out. Creating a bespoke mixer for each spirit, as well as developing new flavour combinations, is a genuine innovation and reflects people’s increasing desire to enjoy the flavour of craft spirits in new ways.”
“Unlike tonic waters, there is no quinine in our recipes. Without the need to balance this strong flavour, we use less than half the sugar found in a conventional mixer.”
Consumer demand
She adds: “Our taste trials show that consumers welcome new ways to enjoy dark spirits, especially with new and interesting botanical flavour combinations, rather than drowned in sugary cola or ginger ale. For operators, we’re expanding the serves for rum and whiskey – including both bourbon and Scotch – and the occasions when they can be enjoyed.
“Our approach is to honour the traditions and dedication which go into making premium whiskey and rum by pairing them with our dedicated Sekforde mixers, crafted with the aim of enhancing the beautiful flavour profiles in these spirits we love.”
Taking bar staff skills and speed of service into account, Sekforde is as easy to mix behind the bar as a G&T, creating a refreshing long drink in seconds, with the sophisticated profile of a cocktail in a simple serve. Branded glassware and POS promoting the serves are available.
The Sekforde Perfect Serve:
- Sekforde for Whiskey: Orange and a hint of rosemary help develop the subtle toasted grain sweetness. On the finish, the oak, dried fruit and spice flavours are highlighted by our combination of bitters. Serve in a tumbler or bowl glass with ice and a twist of orange peel and if liked a sprig of rosemary.
- Sekforde for Rum: Lime and green herbs give a sophisticated edge to the molasses or tropical fruit sweetness of the spirit. There is a bitter sweet finish, lifted with a touch of mint. Serve in a tumbler or bowl glass with ice and a twist of lime peel and perhaps a sprig of mint.
For more information:
E: enquiries@sekfordedrinks.com
Twitter/Facebook: @Sekfordedrinks, Instagram: sekfordedrinks
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NOTES TO EDITORS
Distribution:
Sekforde Bespoke Botanical Mixers are available to the UK on-trade through Boutique Bar Brands, email, info@boutiquebarbrands.com or call 0207 7175560; or via Nectar Imports: www.nectar.net / 0800 028 0511
Tasting notes:
- Sekforde Delicate Orange and Istrian Botanicals for Whiskey
The first flavour is sweet orange, especially if garnished with the signature serve garnish of an orange twist. The heart of the whiskey flavour should then fill the palate; lengthened and teased out with a hint of rosemary you should find a complexity that can be rather hard to pick out in the neat spirit. Highlighted by our combination of dry bitters, the whiskey finish will last longer than usual and may surprise you – look for hidden dried fruit and spice notes. Sekforde is versatile and makes a beautiful drink with all bourbons and most blended Scotches, especially with a sherry cask influence – but avoid mixing with Islay single malts because the stronger peaty or phenol flavours can be a mismatch.
- Sekforde Aromatic Lime and Mistral Botanicals for Rum
Aged rums exhibit a broad flavour spectrum, and with Sekforde, the mixed drink is reflective of the character of the spirit. Lime is a classic partner to rum, but Sekforde offers a great deal more. The initial rum taste is always sweet, with hints of tropical fruits, vanilla, caramel, through to molasses in the darkest and stickiest of rums. We complement these flavours with a combination of aromatic herbs such as thyme and sage, lightened with rose – fresh and aperitivo-like on its own, this combination lends a sophisticated depth to the sweetness of the rum. The rum’s finish, typically spicebox or tobacco, is lifted with a refreshing finish including a hint of mint.
The Names: Inspiration
People often ask us where the names come from – the flavour combinations are inspired by the natural botanicals in the landscape around the northern Adriatic, or Istria (including Croatia and Slovenia), and the South-East of France where the Mistral wind blows.
The on-trade spirits market:
CGA Strategy’s Mixed Drinks Report 2016 found that 78% of British bars now sell cocktails and mixed drinks. Across the licensed trade as a whole—including pubs, restaurants and hotels as well as bars—penetration is now at 28%, with cocktails and mixed drinks are most popular in London, where 36% of outlets now sell them. 25% of on-trade customers now frequently drink cocktails and mixed drinks made with premium spirits.
