Mother Root Ginger Switchel Non-Alcoholic Aperitif

Bethan Higson is the flavour-obsessed founder of Mother Root. After a decade working in wine and spirits, and at one point, even considering a career as a winemaker, her passion turned to all things alcohol-free when pregnant (and thirsty). Bethan missed the acidity, true-craft and complexity of her favourite alcoholic drinks, and couldn't understand why there weren’t options like this in the alcohol-free space. Bethan first made Mother Root for herself in her kitchen in Peckham. But now she is making it for the world to enjoy as she realised many people wanted the same - more alcohol-free flavour in their lives. Mother Root is not trying to replicate or dealcoholize an alcoholic beverage, instead they’re creating a new kind of drink that delivers complex flavours and so much more.

Ingredients

Mother Root is an award winning, alcohol-free aperitif supercharged with apple cider vinegar. The process is inspired by traditional methods of aperitif wine making; maceration, blending and sweetening for balance. But rather than using wine, Mother Root uses organic, benefit-rich ACV. The vinegar used by Mother Root is a blend of dessert and cooking apples (Discovery, Worcester, Cox, Bramley) to create a tart and sweet combination. Made in the UK, it is aged for four months to allow it to mellow into a bright, light, citrusy flavour. Like alcohol, vinegar has the power to build flavour by supercharging other ingredients - stoking the fire of the ginger and chilli. Blossom honey also has an important impact on the drink, bringing floral aromatics, length, and body while balancing out the acidity of the ACV. Awarded 2 stars at the Great Taste Awards in 2022, and Best No & Low at Imbibe in 2020.

Serving Suggestions:

Mother Root Ginger Switchel is best served in their signature recipe Ginger & Soda. Mix 25ml Mother Root Ginger with 125ml soda water in a tumbler over ice. Garnish with a lemon wheel and rosemary sprig. You can also tame the fiery bite of Mother Root with tonic water or mixed into cocktails like their Sour Mother Pucker, Mother Mary or Pe-NO-cillin (Mother Root’s playful twist on cocktail classics). It can even be enjoyed warm, hot toddy style. Keeping it alcohol-free is optional!

Tasting Notes:

Golden yellow in colour, Mother Root is fiery and fresh. The nose is defined by fresh ginger, with fermented apples and floral top notes. On the palate Mother Root is fierce with gingery flavours and a racy sourness that brings complexity and bite to every sip. It is balanced with a natural mouth-coating sweetness, while the chilli extract provides a warming finish.