Review: Everleaf, a Non-alcoholic Bittersweet Aperitif*

When looking for the perfect cocktail or grown-up drink, you might not always want to have it with alcohol. Well, I am pretty much this person. For a lunchtime get together or an early evening cocktail, I tend to prefer a soft drink, however, there’s always a struggle finding one that isn’t too sweet. This is where Everleaf comes in. They have blended a delicate combination of botanicals to give you the perfect light, bittersweet drink, created to make the perfect aperitif.

Today’s review will show you two ways in which you can drink this drink and a couple of other suggestive recipes. I wanted to show you how non-alcoholic drinks don’t have to have the same old format and be super sweet, or lemonade or cola based. They can also have that Spritz feel, or even the look of a classic Tom Collins.

What I thought of Everleaf

Everleaf has a distinct smell, which is citrusy with a hint of clove and spice. On its own it tastes bitter similarly to the taste you get in tonic water, but this is balanced out by the light taste of vanilla, and orange blossom that creeps through. This drink is actually mild enough to drink on its own, maybe diluted with even just ice cold water as a welcoming alternative to cordial. But I have to say considering it is a mixer, I think it would benefit from being slightly more concentrated, as in my recipes you’ll note that I have increased the quantity of Everleaf, as otherwise its hard to distinguish alongside the mixers.

Everleaf is made with real quality ingredients, including fair trade organic cane sugar, madagascan vanilla, gentian (which is a little purple flower), saffron and orange blossom. These combined together make a really subtly flavoured drink that is distinctive and I have to quite unusual. My only comparable to it, is a drink they have in Austria called Enzo Lemonade, this also contains gentian which is what gives Everleaf its bittersweet taste.

Recipes

Classic – Everleaf Spritz

This is the way in which Everleaf suggest drinking their botanical aperitif. Which is a measure of their drink and a small glass filled with ice and a metal straw

x2 50 ml measures Everleaf (they suggest just one but I found you couldn’t really taste it past the tonic)
150 ml of tonic (you could mix this up and have a different flavour tonic too)
Orange Spritz
This makes for a slightly less bitter drink and pulls out the citrus flavours that are apparent in Everleaf.
A highball glass filled with Ice
A metal straw (they just seem to stay cold which makes the drink taste nicer for longer)
x2 50ml measures of Everleaf
200ml of Orangina or 100ml orange juice topped with 100ml of sparkling water)

Other suggestions for alternatives that I think would also taste great with Everleaf; you could quite simply top it with sparkling water, which would make this a really refreshing drink, or flavoured sparkling water, like Elderflower, or a rhubarb. I have to say I feel it would be quite versatile, but as I mentioned early, I feel that it could just do with being slightly more concentrated to merit its value, and ensure that you were able to make drinks for all your guests.

How much is Everleaf?

It costs £18 per bottle – and makes up to 20 servings – although with a 50ml measure in each drink it would make 10 servings – bear this in mind if you are serving guests.

Where can you buy Everleaf?

You can buy Everleaf direct from their website here.

About Everleaf

Everleaf was started by Paul Matthew a bartender and keen conservationist. His love for nature and passion for drinks, encouraged him to source sustainable, and ethical ingredients to create his beautiful blend of botanicals.

He started his journey in conservation with his father, who was a botanist at Kew gardens and passed on his keen passion down to his son. Although he loved conservation his other triumph was in bartending, where he found his second home.

Paul Matthew pulled in all his knowledge from these two areas and created what is now known as Everleaf. He wanted to combine his love for nature within his love of drinks so that they draw each of these aspects together.

Review by: Lex Ward

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