Finding a Taste of the North West: Local Botanicals for Craft Spirits
There's a certain magic to a proper market day in the North West. The chatter of the stallholders, the sheer variety of everything on display, and, for me, the incredible inspiration you can find for flavours. Every time we set up our stall, whether in our hometown of Stalybridge or further afield, I always try to take a walk around. We get a lot of questions about making infusions at home, and the truth is, the answer is right there on the tables. Finding the right local botanicals for craft spirits is all about following the seasons and your own curiosity.
It’s a fantastic way to put your own stamp on a bottle. Taking a really clean, well-made spirit as your starting point means you have a blank canvas. The spirit should be smooth and balanced, ready to absorb and amplify the character of whatever you add, rather than fighting against it. This weekend, for instance, we’ll be at Ormskirk Market on Sunday 14th June, and I already know the sight of all the fresh summer produce will get me thinking about new combinations.
What to Look for in Local Botanicals for Craft Spirits
When you’re choosing your fruit or herbs, think beyond just the basic flavour. Look for produce that is perfectly ripe – sometimes even a little overripe – as this is when the sugars and aromatic compounds are at their peak. A sun-warmed strawberry will give a much deeper, jammier flavour than a hard, pale one. Consider colour, too. Deep-red raspberries or inky blackcurrants will lend your spirit a beautiful, vibrant hue that makes it even more appealing before you’ve even taken a sip. Don't be afraid to use your nose; the fragrance of fresh mint or the perfume of a ripe peach is a great indicator of the flavour you'll capture in the bottle.
Classic Allotment and Garden Infusion Ideas
Rhubarb is one of my absolute favourites and a true sign of the British summertime. Its sharp, tangy character is magnificent in a spirit. It creates an infusion that is wonderfully refreshing, especially when paired with something a little fiery like ginger ale, or shaken into a sour with a little lemon juice and sugar syrup. It gives a delicate pink blush to the liquid and a flavour that is both nostalgic and sophisticated.
You can’t go wrong with summer berries. Strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, blackcurrants – each brings something unique. Strawberries offer a sweet, familiar comfort, perfect for a simple serve with tonic and a mint leaf. Blackcurrants, on the other hand, provide a much deeper, tarter, and more complex flavour that stands up well to being mixed into a longer cocktail. The process is simple and the reward is a bottle bursting with the taste of a British summer. We have a full weekend of it coming up, with our cocktail bar at Ilkley Food & Drink Festival on both Saturday and Sunday, alongside our bottle stall in Ormskirk on the Sunday. It’s a great chance to see the difference between a bustling market and a festival atmosphere.
More Adventurous Infusions to Try at Home
Once you feel confident, why not look beyond the fruit bowl? The herb patch is full of potential. A few sprigs of fresh rosemary dropped into a bottle of clear spirit, perhaps with a long peel of grapefruit zest, will create a complex, savoury and aromatic spirit in just a few days. It makes for an incredible twist on a G&T. Lemon verbena is another wonderful option, imparting a clean, sherbet-lemon scent that is intensely refreshing. These herbal notes add a professional-feeling layer to a simple homemade infusion.
Foraging can also offer some unique local botanicals. In early summer, elderflower is abundant in hedgerows across the North West. Its delicate, floral, and slightly honeyed perfume is unmistakable. Capturing it in a spirit produces something truly special. You only need the flower heads (no stalks!), and they infuse their flavour quite quickly. It’s a taste that is completely tied to a specific time and place, which is what we think making craft spirits is all about.
“For me, it’s not just about the final drink. It’s the ritual: finding that perfect punnet of berries, the smell as you prepare them, and the anticipation of tasting the result a few weeks later. It connects you to the seasons.”
So, next time you're at a farmers' market, have a look around and let your imagination run. Pick up whatever looks best, take it home, and have a go at creating your own flavoured moonshine or craft spirit infusion. It’s simpler than you think, and the results are always a great conversation starter. If you see us at our stall at Sandbach, Ormskirk, or any of the other North West festivals we attend, please do come over and tell us about your experiments – we love hearing them.
