The Best Artisan Spirits (to help wild creatures)
If you like a boozy tipple now and then, why not support artisan brands that not only offer delicious flavours, but donate a portion of profits to help wild creatures (from native wildlife in England, to endangered species abroad)?
Unless chopped up, corks are too dense to compost (and choking hazards, if left around). So recycle them at your local off license, or send off in bulk to Recorked.
The Best Brands of Sustainable Tonic Water
Tonic water is mostly served as a mixer for gin and vodka, or sometimes alone as a refreshing drink. But it was originally used to help prevent malaria, as it contains quinine (from the bark of the cinchona tree).
It was so bitter that medics added gin, to make it more palatable. Modern tonic waters don’t have as much quinine, and are generally sweeter.
Due to quinine, avoid tonic water for certain medical conditions (liver failure, blood thinners, antibiotics and anti-depressants). Also check medication inserts, before consuming grapefruit or rhubarb drinks. Tonic water on its own should also be avoided for pregnancy/nursing (you obviously won’t be drinking alcohol).
- Fentimans (Northumberland) makes a wide range of botanically brewed tonic waters, made with herbal infusions from lemongrass to Sicilian lemon oil.
- Luscombe (Devon) blends Dartmoor spring water with wild or organic fruits, and Indian quinine. Also in flavoured versions (elderflower and grapefruit) and a Light version (sweetened with fruit sugar, with Japanese yuzu).
- Daylesford makes organic tonic water with dandelion, instead of quinine. Containing far less sugar, it’s bottled on a family farm in Devon. Choose from Light, cucumber, wild elderflower or Damescena rose.
Hedgerow Gin (to help a donkey sanctuary)
Hedgerow Gin is made with blackberry, hawthorn, elderberry, apple, rosehip and meadowsweet, with profits benefiting Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary. Learn more on how to help our donkey friends!
The same company makes Wildheart Sanctuary Gin, again to benefit a local animal sanctuary. This has subtle aromas of lemon grass, chilli, ginger, yuzu and orange.
Artisan Spirits (to help African wildlife)
Uhuru Rum donates a portion of profits to TUSK, an African wildlife conservation charity. It helps a wide range of species from elephants and cheetahs, to African wild dogs and bonobos (our closest relatives). From hippos and rhinos to dugongs (like manatees) and even African frogs.
It has a fruity sweetness, oaky notes and flavours of buttery toffee. Perfect sipping straight or in a cocktail. The whisky is a limited edition.
Artisan Gins (to help Born Free Foundation)
Clouded Leopard offers artisan gins, with profits helping Born Free, the charity that campaigns against caged animals in zoos and circuses, and helps to restore conservation via wild habitats worldwide.
This gin contains the classic juniper flavour, with a bright zingy kick of fresh lemon zest, fruity notes of mango, and fragrance black pepper spice.
Artisan Spirits (to help endangered rhinos)
Urban Rhino uses profits to help save critically endangered white rhinos. The founder’s friend had decided to build the world’s first rhino orphanage (the first orphan arriving even before it was built).
The range includes:
- London Dry Gin
- African Spiced Rum
- Dragon & Lime Liqueur
- Chocolate & Tonka Bean Rum
So each sip ensures you are helping babies who have lost their rhino parents to find safety from poachers. Distilled in Henley, this gin contains six botanicals (juniper. lemon peel, coriander seed, orris root, cassia bark and liquorice root).
Rhinos are hugely endangered (the last male white rhino recently went extinct, leaving two females). Poached for their horns (made from keratin), these have no medical value anyway, yet they sell for thousands of dollars on illegal markets. Read more on how to help save endangered rhinos.
Artisan Spirits (to help endangered elephants)
Elephant Gin uses profits to help protect habitats for endangered elephants. Everything’s plastic-free with lighter bottles, natural cork, hemp stress and cardboard boxes. The online store is presently closed, but you can search for stockists, or ask for it in local shops.
Elephants are still endangered, due to illegal poaching. Supporting sanctuaries that protect them in the wild is far better than taking children to visit elephants in zoos, where they have very little space, the weather is not natural for them (say in London zoo).
And in the wild, they live in herds of sometimes hundreds, roaming hundreds of miles. Read more on helping elephants.
The range includes:
- London Dry Gin
- Orange Cocoa Gin
- Sloe Gin
- Elephant Strength Gin!
- Negroni (Italian liqueur)
- Coffee Liqueur
Artisan Spirits (to help endangered gorillas)
Gorilla Spirits Co offers boozy spirits and liqueurs with a difference. As a portion of profits go to a charity that helps endangered gorillas, one of our closest relatives. Read more on how to save endangered great apes.
The range includes:
- Blackback Mountain Strength Vodka!
- Karisimbi Golden Rum
- Karisimbi Spiced Rum
- Karisimbi White Rum
- Maraba Coffee Liqueur
- Maraba Salted Hazelnut Liqueur
- Silverback Clementine Bergamot Gin
- Silverback Wild Strawberry Gin
- White Rum
Artisan Spirits from Abroad: Inspiration
When we write a post about good brands in England, we always look over the border too, to see if brands across the water are doing anything to inspire.
This search came up a winner! Here’s a few brands in North America, who use producing boozy tipples to help many creatures:
- Gray Whale Gin is a California tipple, with profits helping to save this iconic giant mammal, that swims the local coasts.
- Hera the Dog Vodka (say it aloud, get it?!) says the world not need more spirit brands, but does need more brands with spirit! This was the case of two animal rescuers who needed a sure-fire way to raise more funds!
- Rescue Dog Wines donates 50% of profits to animal rescue organisations. The wines are vegan and grown on an eco-friendly vineyard.
- Second Chance Beer Company helps anyone save a pup, each time they sup a pint. Profits help to support dog rescue sanctuaries in California and Arizona. So far, it’s raised over $250,000.
