The Year in Community Foraged Cordials
In the heart of our local parks, farms, and green spaces, we’ve had a year of collaboration, exploration, and creativity. From the first violets of spring to the richness of autumn’s rosehips, each drink represents the season, the land, and the hands that brought it together. Here’s a taste of what we’ve crafted this year at Company Drinks, and why these cordials are so much more than a beverage—they’re a community experience in a bottle.
Sweet Violet Syrup: Spring Blossoms in a Bottle
In early spring, we set out with our community for a flower-picking walk in Mayesbrook Park, where the sweet violets were in bloom. These small purple flowers, with their delicate petals, are a fleeting reminder of spring’s arrival, and we gathered them together to create a syrup that captures that very essence.
The sweet violet syrup is floral and lightly earthy, with a fragrance reminiscent of the fresh air on a spring morning. It has a subtle sweetness that lingers on the palate, making it perfect as a unique cocktail or mocktail ingredient, or even drizzled over desserts. With each sip, you taste the start of the year, fresh and full of promise.
Elderflower Cordial: Early Summer’s Golden Hues
As summer warmed up, we turned our attention to elderflowers, gathering the blooms in Eastbrookend Country Park on another community walk. The elderflower cordial captures the short, magical period when elderflowers burst into bloom, their creamy blossoms releasing a honeyed aroma that’s unmistakable.
Our elderflower cordial is fresh and floral, with a delicate sweetness balanced by a hint of citrus. It brings the taste of early summer to any drink, whether mixed into sparkling water or shaken into a cocktail. This cordial’s gentle flavour is both uplifting and nostalgic—a perfect way to enjoy the fleeting beauty of elderflower season.
Blackberry and Plum Cordial: The Bounty of Late Summer
When late summer rolled around, we celebrated the season’s abundance by gathering blackberries at Eastbrookend Country Park and harvesting ripe plums from Plantastic. These fruits were a joy to pick, with the blackberry brambles full of juicy, dark berries and the plums perfectly sweet and ripe for cordial making.
The blackberry and plum cordial has a deep, rich color and a vibrant, jammy flavor that’s both sweet and tart. The blackberries lend a natural, earthy sweetness, while the plums add a slight tartness that makes this drink a perfect balance of flavors. This cordial is particularly delicious when paired with gin or served as a luxurious mocktail with soda. Every sip brings to mind the richness of late summer’s fruits and the satisfaction of a fruitful harvest.
Hop Cordial: A Nod to Autumn’s Transition
As summer began to wane, we set our sights on hops from Growing Communities’ Dagenham Farm. We harvested the bines and brought them back to our pavilion, where our community joined in to hand-pick the hops. It was a day filled with laughter, stories, and the unique scent of hops filling the air.
Our hop cordial is unexpected and wonderfully aromatic, with a subtle bitterness balanced by natural sweetness. It has a grassy, floral quality with earthy undertones, making it an excellent addition to cocktails or a refreshing mocktail base. For those looking for something different, this hop cordial bridges the transition from summer to autumn, with a flavor profile that’s as complex and warming as the season itself.
Rosehip Cordial: Autumn’s Ruby Treasure
As the air turned crisp and leaves began to fall, our community came together once more to gather rosehips in Goodmeys Park. These ruby-red fruits, often overlooked, are packed with flavor and rich in vitamin C—a true gift from nature in the cooler months.
Our rosehip cordial is slightly tangy with a deep, almost floral sweetness, bringing warmth to any drink. It’s deliciously versatile and pairs beautifully with everything from sparkling water to dark spirits. The rosehips create a rich, red-hued drink that embodies the cozy, comforting feel of autumn, inviting you to savor the last gifts of the year’s harvest.
Each of these drinks is a reflection of the land, the season, and the people who make up our community. They’re more than flavors—they’re experiences bottled, journeys shared. Whether you’re seeking a unique drink for a special occasion or a simple way to connect with nature’s bounty, our foraged cordials are here to bring those flavors and stories into your glass.
