Fentimans (botanical sodas from Northumberland)
Fentimans has been making soft drinks in Northumberland for over a century, and its unique botanical recipes set it apart. Known for its bold flavours, elegant bottles and natural ingredients.
Check medication before consuming grapefruit or rhubarb sodas (avoid hibiscus lemonade for pregnancy). Also avoid caffeine (cola) or follow NHS guidelines of no more than one a day.
Always pop ring-pulls back over hole before recycling, to avoid wildlife getting trapped.
Most sodas have now added in disgusting-aftertaste artificial sweeteners (same with fruit squash) to try to eek more profits, due to the upcoming sugar tax.
One critic of the new recipe for Ribena (a vitamin-C-rich blackcurrant squash developed during World War II, when citrus fruits were not available) wrote ‘Adding sweeteners to Ribena was intended to reduce our sugar intake. This has worked, as I no longer buy Ribena!’
This drinks brand has an interesting history. Thomas was approached for a loan back in the day, and the ‘security’ was the recipe for botanically brewed ginger beer. The loan was never repaid, so that’s how Thomas became the founder of Fentimans!
This company has been around 100 years. If you look closely on the top label of each bottle, you’ll see an illustration of Fearless, the family dog who still guards each bottle, a century later!
Most sodas are made in minutes, but Fentimans uses botanical brewing, a process that takes seven days. They infuse, ferment, and blend real plants, roots, and herbs. This method creates deeper flavours and a natural fizz that stands out from mass-produced drinks.
Fentimans offers a wide range of flavours. Popular picks include their classic Victorian Lemonade, fiery Ginger Beer, and Rose Lemonade. More adventurous choices like Cherry Cola or Dandelion & Burdock draw on British flavours and botanical blends. Each one is bold, refreshing, and unique.
- Elderflower Rose Tonic
- Sparkling Elderflower
- Victorian & Raspberry Lemonade
- Ginger Beer & Pink Ginger
- Curiosity Cola (also in cherry)
- Dandelion & Burdock
- Lemon Shandy
Fentimans Botanical Boost drinks include extra ingredients, for good digestion and metabolism. Choose from:
- Apple & Elderflower
- Cherry & Blood Orange
- Lemon & Pink Ginger
Fentimans also makes nice tonic waters, to go with your gin or vodka. Avoid tonic waters for pregnancy/nursing due to quinine (and affected medical conditions).
As well as Indian and light tonic water, choose from various flavours including:
- Elderflower Rose
- Ginger
- Pink Grapefruit
- Rhubarb
