Mixers, and premium ones at that, are becoming a force within the drinks industry as more and more spirits tie themselves to unique brands to show off a signature serve. The mixers alone are seen as more fashionable to order too, with Fentimans complimenting their mixer range with their soft drink expressions, and Fever Tree showing that tonic is not the only flavour to enjoy. Enter then Thomas Henry, a new range to hit the wider UK, with a German influence.
2010 saw Thomas Henry, the brand inspired by a company from Berlin, Germany, hit the market shelves with its classic bar sodas. Using their expertise in bitter lemonade, they came up with their own tonic water, bitter lemon, ginger ale and soda water expressions, before then branching out into elderflower tonic, cherry blossom tonic and ginger beer as the brand started to gain recognition.
Thomas Henry himself? The name may ring a bell if you are a chemistry lover as the chemist became the first person to ever enrich water with carbon dioxide back in Manchester, England in 1773, inventing what was the worlds first soda water. It’s with this that the Thomas Henry brand inspires the best ingredients no matter how it is to be used. Utilising natural mineral water from the Bad Meinberg springs in North Rhine-Westphalia that is then demineralized, it is said to give a natural yet high-end feel to each expression.
So how do they fare? Well below, I give to you my tasting notes –
Thomas Henry Tonic Water – 0%
Light aromas of the quinine come through, with subtle floral nips of the citrus following to give a fresh nose. Fine and refined with the bitterness from the quinine, with a very soft texture on the palate that offers a refreshing yet subtle aroma of citrus on the lingering finish.
Thomas Henry Elderflower Tonic – 0%
Arriving in 2011, this combines the flavour of elderflower and herbs with the base of the tonic water. Soft, sweet elderflower on the nose, with a slight bitterness catching the end. A little sharp to start, with the elderflower naturally dominating. Plenty of sweet flavours come through, with the bitterness underlining the long finish.
Thomas Henry Bitter Lemon – 0%
Soft notes of lime come through on the nose, with a balance of natural sweetness and fresh acidity following. Subtle lime notes on the palate, growing its aroma over time. An edge of the acidity draws a drier finish and hints of spice.
Thomas Henry Ginger Beer – 0%
Said to be the first ginger lemonade made and bottled in Germany based on the model of English “Ginger Beer”. Soft ginger on the nose, with lively sweetness following. Clean, fresh with a subtle kick of spice on the palate. Short, naturally sweet and a heavy texture.
Thomas Henry Ginger Ale – 0%
Light ginger notes on the nose with a lively spice kick following. Very light on the palate with subtle flavours of the ginger coming through. A thin texture shows off a fresh yet dry finish.
A great range of mixers here to be drunk chilled, or indeed as part of these –
Parma Negroni
Glass –
Rocks
Ingredients –
20 ml Gin
20 ml Campari
20 ml Pink grapefruit juice
1 Bar Spoon sugar syrup
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Thomas Henry Tonic Water
Method –
Pour all ingredients, except for the tonic water, over ice cubes into the glass and stir well. Add Thomas Henry Tonic Water and stir again. Garnish with an orange slice.
or perhaps
Lemon Rose
Glass –
Wine
Ingredients –
50 ml Lillet Rosé
Thomas Henry Bitter Lemon
Method –
Pour Lillet Rosé over ice cubes into glass and add Thomas Henry Bitter Lemon. Garnish with a pink grapefruit zest.
There are a couple of expressions I am yet to try, including the soda water and two from their ‘all day range’ named Mystic Mango and Ultimate Grapefruit, but if you are looking to throw together a couple of easy drinks, think about using a different kind of mixer to your usual brand, it may be the right call when you produce a more refreshing style of drink with your favourite spirit!
© David Marsland and Drinks Enthusiast 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog/sites author and owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to David Marsland and Drinks Enthusiast with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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