Perfect Pairings - the first spirits designed to go with food...
Pizza and primitivo, mezze and Chateau Mousar, seafood and sancerre… lots of classic food and drink pairings which all have something in common…. Wine. In the same breath, it’s not uncommon for aperitifs to be based around spirits, the classic martini, perhaps a negroni or a seasonal cocktail. But when was the last time your drink took you from the bar to the dinner table and back again?
Founders of Martin & Brown botanics, Kim & James have decades of experience in hospitality and fine dining and they have created two unique spirits which do exactly that. Bored of overly sweet cocktails and regularly hosting dinners for friends who would prefer an alternative to wine, the pair have created the Eastern Spice Blend and Italian Spice Blend. The first spirits that were specifically developed with food pairings in mind. With 11 different botanicals, the Italian Spice Blend has a grown-up, savoury note that is perfectly balanced to complement charcuterie, salty cheeses, and big bold flavours whilst the Eastern Spice Blend with 14 different botanicals no less, was born of the the founders love for mezze, the freshness of tabbouleh, the sharpness of fattoush and the depth of herbs and spices in a kibbeh.
So what about the bar? Whilst both spirit blends are thoroughly enjoyable with a high quality tonic water, the pair have recently published their own cocktail recipes. Highlights include the Bloody Martin mixing the Italian Spice Blend with tomato water and muddling the Eastern Spice Blend with coriander for a twist on a mojito.
Martin and Brown Spice Blends are available to purchase in 50cl bottles and exclusive tasting and gift packs from the Martin & Brown website, and recently won silver medals at the London Spirit Competition.