We are Vic and Jen and we are Edible Hedgerow Ltd. Over the last couple of years we have become frustrated that wonderful wild British botanicals are often neglected in tonic waters and instead, ingredients are transported across the world to go into our G&Ts.
We decided to do something about this and have developed a range of tonic waters made from British wild flavours grown, gathered and hand-selected by us. Not only are Culpeper Tonics made from sustainable, environmentally friendly ingredients but our range also includes innovative flavours inspired by great British landscapes.
But who are we? Well Jen is an environmental scientist and her job and background have helped her find the best sustainable sources of foraged ingredients from all across the UK. Vic is the green-fingered one who has found ways to cultivate and grow any ingredients which can't be responsibly gathered from the wild in our Tonic Water Garden. As you may be able to tell, we are both lifelong geeks. Together we have put those science PhDs to good use and trawled through hundreds of years of books and scientific papers back as far as the 15th century to find the best historical tastes and forgotten flavours to include in our drinks. We have worked with the University of Nottingham to use cutting edge science to extract these flavours in as close to their authentic form as possible without introducing any chemicals, or artificial additives.
We have our recipes, our garden, our kitchens, and our trusted bottler and distributors ready. Now we need your help to make our first bottling runs possible so that we can launch Culpeper Tonics across the UK.
Culpeper Tonics
Our tonic waters are made from British ingredients and are naturally quinine-free. We craft all our own extracts and syrups from hand selected ingredients, most of which are grown or foraged by us. All our foraged ingredients are gathered with permission from across the UK and always with care for the natural environment and the birds, beasties and creepy crawlies that live within it.
So let us introduce our flavours.
Bittersweet is our most traditional tonic water. Made from extracts of Angelica root, dandelion root, borage, lemon thyme, lemon verbena and wormwood. Its combination of bitter and sweet can hold its own against even the most juniper-led of gins without smothering your spirits flavour. It also goes great with vodka, rum and even whisky. Think Indian tonic water but without the quinine or air-miles.
Classic Light is our more subtle traditional tonic water made from the same botanicals as Bittersweet but with only half the sugar of our other tonics. Classic Light goes perfectly with floral, fragrant or subtle spirits where it will gently enhance without smothering.
In the Forest is the the first of our landscape inspired range. Made with flavours of Douglas fir, birch leaves and a hint of oak smoke this tonic will transport you to a walk in the woods. A fresh, citrusy tonic with gentle pine notes.
On the Moor is made with Scottish heather flowers and gorse blossom. Its floral and earthy notes will transport you to a blustery hill-top.
With Jen being a marine biologist, unsurprisingly, this maritime tonic was one of the first to be born. By the Sea is flavoured with samphire and sugar kelp. It has an incredibly smooth mouth-feel and a fresh, citrusy and slightly salty flavour.
From the Garden combines delicate rose with a hint of lavender. Not overly sweet or overpowering, but a distinct fragrant, floral flavour. Think of white picket fences and dramatic floral displays
So hopefully you like the sound of our Culpeper Tonics and would like to be amongst the first in the UK to try them by pledging for one of our reward packages.
The Rewards
We have a variety of packages starting from as little as £10. Take a look on the right at the options available. Please note we can only sell to over 18s for the Reward packages which include alcohol. All prices include postage and packing and will arrive with you by May 2019. Please select the Europe packages if you would like your reward package shipped to European countries - the default for other packages is UK shipping only. All reward packages will be shipped by our trusty distributers, Crafty Connoisseur.
If you don't feel that you can pledge at this time we hope you will still support us by sharing our campaign with friends and family.
Your help means a lot to us. We look forward to sharing our tonics with you soon.
cheers
Jen and Vic
*please note final designs and packaging may vary slightly from the representations shown here.