Fentimans Victorian Lemonade

Made by: Fentimans Ltd

Origin: UK

Fentimans was originally founded in 1905, when Thomas Fentiman, a West Yorkshire steel worker, traded a loan for a ginger beer recipe, to be held as collateral. The loan was not repaid, and Fentiman commenced production of the ginger beer and started selling it door to door. The company closed between the mid 1960s until 1988, when Eldon Robson (great-grandson of TF) restarted production on the original site.

Fentimans lemonade is a pale lemon yellow colour, cloudy and containing a fine sediment. There is a green tint to the colour when examined in the light.

The nose is aromatic and distinctly herbal, with plenty of juicy lemon intensity, given an unusual green and lime-like quality.

Grassy, sappy lemons follow suit on the palate, with nettle and basil giving leafy flavours. Tangy now, with fizzing sherbet and mouthwatering flavour. Good intensity too...

This is an original take on lemonade, with green herbal notes providing an unusual twist.

Packaging claims: Botanically brewed, not more than 0.5% alcohol by volume, fermented botanical drink with herbal extracts

Ingredients: Carbonated water, sugar, lemon juice concentrate (12.7%), glucose syrup, ginger, pear juice concentrate, cream of tartar, natural flavours: lemon, speedwell, juniper extracts

Price: Should be about £1.00-£1.20 for a 275ml glass bottle, available from Waitrose, Booths, Health food stores, independent and specialist food stores nationwide

Firefly Lemon, Lime & Ginger 'Detox'

Made by: Firefly Tonics

Origin: UK

This non-sparkling 'detox' drink is a pale, matt lemon yellow colour. The colour fades out to clear at the rim. The liquid is slighty cloudy and contains some fine particles floating in suspension.

On the nose light but immediately attractive aromas: Sultanas, baked apple, crumble topping, lemon butter, sweet spices (ginger, cinnamon)...altogether appetising.

Flavours on the palate are light also, but satisfying and without the dilute quality found in many flavoured waters. That moreish style is replicated here, with flavours of softbake cookies (oat & sultana), more apple crumble topping, and gingerbread.

There is a lovely, zingy thread of citrus acidity running through this, balancing the sweetness perfectly. The heat of the ginger spice comes through late on the finish, bringing with it a pleasant warmth that coats the mouth and lingers. An entirely refreshing experience.

Packaging claims: Natural energy, detox, absolutely nothing artificial

Ingredients: Still water, fruit juices from concentrate: white grape (22%), lemon (4%), lime (3%), apple juice extract, botanical extratcs (ginger, nettle, dandelion, burdock, rosemary) 1%, natural flavourings

Price: Should be about £1.50-£1.60 for a 330ml glass bottle. Available from Waitrose, Holland & Barrett, Department stores, healthfood stores, and specialist food and delicatessen outlets nationwide.

San Pellegrino ‘Limonata’

Made by: San Pellegrino SpA

Origin: Italy

Imported into the UK: Nestle Waters UK ltd





The Limonata flavour from San Pellegrino is a very pale translucent yellow, watery at the rim and gently carbonated in the glass. On the nose it has the direct, mouthwatering aroma of a freshly stirred and sweetened ‘citron presse'.

This appetising vision carries to the palate with an excellent sharp, zesty attack controlling the sweetness. This is followed by a tangy sourness containing plenty of lemon character, and a short but cleansing finish that leaves the palate suitably refreshed and invigorated.

Packaging claims: None

Ingredients: Water, reconstituted lemon juice 16%, sugar, natural CO2, natural flavourings, antioxidant: L-ascorbic acid

Price: Should be about £0.70 for a 330ml can, from specialist retailers