Dry January? No thank you! We’re raising a glass to the Bucks booze heroes who are mixing things up with an array of local tipples
Starting any new venture takes a lot of bottle. But when there’s a market thirsty for an idea, this can give any entrepreneur a shot of Dutch courage.
This is what happened – over lockdown – to sesh-loving brother and sister duo Tash & Antosh Samek, the co-founders of Rythmik Cocktails. “The bar Antosh owned, Clayton’s in Marlow, was closed and customers asked him to deliver his cocktails,” explains Tash. “As a brand strategist working in the drinks industry, I joined forces with him to turn it into a brand: Rythmik. And the rest, as they say, is history!”
The cocktails were such a hit that Antosh closed the bar over a year ago. The siblings, who grew up locally, going to Chesham High & Challoner’s, now focus on the business, based in Amersham. Rythmik uses top-quality ingredients to create range of pre-mixed cocktails and Tash & Antosh choose suppliers that share their values. This includes local companies such as Marlow Gin, whose spirit provides the base of their renowned Marlow Negroni and Griffiths Brothers vodka in their Espresso Martini. They sell their bottles online at Rythmik Cocktails and they are also stocked in more than 30 local shops and bars.
Antosh adds: “The singular purpose of Rythmik Cocktails is to put everything that people loved about the bar – top quality and creative drinks, music and vibe – into a bottle. It’s why out pre-mixed bottles cocktails are bar-strength and bar quality as they encompass years of experience at the helm of an award-winning bar. Each cocktail comes with its own playlist, a set of tracks we’ve made to match the vibe of the drink. So you can Sip To The Sounds!”
The Griffiths Brothers – AKA Alex & Drew – are another pair of siblings united by a challenge they’d set themselves, namely: “Could we create a gin from from scratch that would impress family and friends? It soon became an obsession. We wanted to produce the best hand-crafted gin around.” So Drew and Alex started scouting around for a proper home for their still. Luckily, a family friend who owned a 1930s aircraft factory, converted into industrial units tucked away in Penn Street, had some disused storage space up for grabs.
“We are Bucks’ first multi-award-winning craft distillery,” says Alex, who grew up in Beaconsfield and lives in Marlow. “We use a special distillation method that gives our spirits a soft, clean finish, brighter more natural flavour notes. Cold distillation is more complex, but the results speak for themselves.”
The Griffiths’ beloved still is home to two rotary evaporators, “Roberta” and “Aretha” who still each botanical in glass, with the highest quality 100% organic wheat spirit. The spirit vapour is then condensed at -8C and each botanical distillation is stored for the flavour to mellow before being combined – by hand – to produce the finished gin. Finally, each batch is tasted and every bottle is signed.
“We are here for decerning drinkers,” says Alex. “I love pubs, although I don’t get enough time to spend in them. I like old-school pubs. The George Ale House in Great Missenden is a classic example.” Visit Griffiths Brothers Distillery
Wine fans can also find veritable treasures here. Marcus Rees’ new book Oxfordshire Uncorked includes a few gems on this side of the county. He recommends Chiltern Valley Winery & Brewery, whose team run regular tours and tastings throughout January. “Winter is a good time to visit so you can also enjoy discounts on their luxury B&B accommodation. They even offer a cookery school as well as weddings and parties in their lovely, converted bar. Chiltern Valley was established in 1980 and produces a wide range of still and sparkling wines, all available to take home or to enjoy on-site by the bottle or glass. In addition, the team offer bottle-conditioned ales brewed on-site, and a food van open every day serving coffee as well as hot and cold food. Try the lovely sparkling wines which have an extremely fine fizz on the palate, or their oaked white wines with tropical fruit flavours – not always expected in English wines.” For more info visit Chiltern Valley Winery and Brewery
At Radnage Daws Hill vineyard and winery was planted in 2004 and is run by Holly Morgan, producing sparkling wines only, made traditionally, like Champagne. Holly relies on a team volunteers to help her in the vineyard. October saw another successful sushi and wine evening the Sakana (Sakana Oxford) an online Japanese food service based in Chinnor. Other popular events include food foraging (next one in March), wine blending workshop and regular cheese pairings. Marcus continues: “Daws Hill produces lovely sparkling wines from the Auxerrois grape – common in Cremant d’Alsace wines – and from the big three Champagne grapes – Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. They even produce an unusual, elegant cider made in the same way as the wines with a second fermentation in the bottle – lovely with a cheese or pork pie!” Daws Hill Vineyard
Marcus adds: “Just outside Marlow, Harrow & Hope makes high-end sparkling wines from the three classic Champagne varieties – Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. Henry & Fate Laithwaite planted the vineyard in 2010 and aim to let the grapes and their wines express the ‘terroir’ of the vineyard, which is now certified organic.” Bottles start at £33 and are available from Laithwaite’s as well as independent delis and merchants such as Grape Expectations in Marlow. Visit Harrow & Hope & Oxfordshire Uncorked
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