Like any good premium mixer company would do, Fever-Tree set themselves a challenge. Sure, they had conquered the Tonic market and created a variety of mixers for gin, they had produced ginger for vodkas and dreamed up sodas for tequilas but was there a Cola that would do justice to the craftsmanship that goes into producing great whiskey & rum?
“In the same way Fever-Tree has revolutionized the Gin & Tonic, Moscow Mule, and most recently, tequila drinks such as the Paloma, we have created Fever-Tree Distillers Cola with the same devotion to quality as the most acclaimed distillers,” said Charles Gibb, Fever-Tree North America CEO. “It is one that will do justice to the premium whiskeys and rums it has been designed to pair with.”
So with a mission and a task, they set out to source a symphony of the best natural ingredients. In the Caribbean they found Kola Nuts, which have been wildly sourced from Jamaica, to lend a sweet and rose-like aroma and an earthy yet subtly bitter note, as well as natural caffeine. They then venture further into the Jamaican countryside for Jamaican Pimento Berries (otherwise known as “allspice”, a flavour that conjures four key spices: nutmeg, cinnamon, clove and pepper).
From there they explored the Caribbean and Pacific coasts of Mexico for Tahitian Limes that would lend a zesty sharpness and a touch of sweetness. A short trip across to Madagascan gave them creamy and sweet notes of Vanilla. Finally, they reached their last destination, Sicily, where they utilised an old perfume industry technique called the sfumatrice process to gently press the lemons and releasing their vibrant and fragrant oil.
With the ingredients together, they createrd the cola with the same care and attention to detail that would make a distiller proud. Rich and complex in flavour, with the perfect level of sweetness to complement and elevate whiskeys and rums from the finest distilleries, Fever-Tree Distillers Cola was born. And already, its excellence has earned Fever-Tree Distillers Cola Double Gold at the 2021 New York International Spirits Competition and Gold at the 2021 SIP Awards.
“I was very excited to hear that Fever-Tree was bringing its mixer expertise to the cola category,” said Allen Katz, Distiller & Owner, New York Distilling Co., one of the distilleries with whom Fever-Tree collaborated to create elevated pairing that will be for sale and served at The Shanty in Brooklyn, as well as in select on-premise accounts throughout New York City.
“Upon sampling Fever-Tree Distillers Cola, I immediately wanted to work with it,” Katz continued. “I began tasting through our ageing stock of Ragtime Rye and identified a barrel that I think is a perfect match. We are very excited to roll out this limited edition rye for pairing with Fever-Tree Distillers Cola both at The Shanty and our key accounts.”
Fever-Tree also partnering with BACARDÍ Master Blender José “Joe” A. Gómez on Rum & Cola Reimagined, a national program with Fever-Tree Distillers Cola and BACARDÍ Añejo Cuatro. Joint retail, on-premise programming and digital assets will support this perfect serve.
“We are delighted to collaborate alongside Fever-Tree Distillers Cola,” said Gomez. “We were very impressed with its abilities to complement our fine premium rums and our BACARDÍ Añejo Cuatro in particular. Mixing with this new cola takes a classic drink, the Rum & Cola, and elevates it in terms of flavour and quality. As a blender, it is very exciting to see the nuances of our aged rums come through and be celebrated, rather than covered up.”
To demonstrate how good the new cola is, fever-tree has released recipes for Ruma & Cola and Whiskey Cola, which as Lynnette Marrero, Acclaimed Mixologist & Co-Founder of Speed Rack points out are extreamly popular.
“The issue has been a quality cola that uses premium ingredients and honours the spice notes, Marrero continued. “As the quality of spirits has improved over the years, it is really important that the mixer treat them with the respect they deserve and let their carefully crafted flavours come through, which Fever-Tree Distillers Cola does so well.”
Rum & Cola
Rich, rounded and balanced, the notes of mild vanilla, toasted oak, clove and honey from the rum are perfectly complemented by the refreshing lime, complex spice and vanilla of Fever-Tree Distillers Cola.
Ingredients
- 3 parts Fever-Tree Distillers Cola
- 1 part golden aged rum (BACARDÍ® Añejo Cuatro recommended)
- Wedge of fresh lime
Instructions
In a highball glass filled to the brim with fresh ice. Pour in the golden aged rum before topping with chilled Fever-Tree Distillers Cola. Garnish with fresh lime. Give a gentle stir and enjoy.
Whiskey Cola
Rich, rounded and balanced, the notes of butterscotch and charred oak from the whiskey are perfectly complemented by the refreshing lime, complex spice and vanilla of Fever-Tree Distillers Cola.
- 3 parts Fever-Tree Distillers Cola
- 1 part Bourbon whiskey
- A curl of lemon rind
Instructions
In a highball glass filled to the brim with fresh ice, pour in the Bourbon whiskey before topping with chilled Fever-Tree Distillers Cola. Using a knife or a potato peeler, curl a rind of a lemon and twist over the glass before placing it in the glass. Give a gentle stir and enjoy.
For more information, go to fever-tree.com or connect with the brand on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
