Three Dorset-inspired liqueurs with fruit, botanicals and a little bit of Cornish magic.
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Liqueurs can be a bit hit or miss for me. Some are far too sweet, some just don’t quite hit the spot, and others are made for sipping slowly over ice. I’ve tried a few that I’ve really enjoyed and a few I’d happily never pick up again, but The Whimsical Forager ticks all the right boxes for me.
The Whimsical Forager is a liqueur company curated in Dorset but crafted and distilled in Cornwall, so you’re getting two of my favourite South Coast counties coming together in one bottle! Their range at the time I tried them included three different flavoured liqueurs, all created using Cornish spring water, fresh fruit and botanicals sourced from producers identified by their distillery team. The flavours are inspired by nature’s larder and the coastal settings around them, which gives the range a lovely sense of place.
Lemon & Basil
A beautifully refreshing citrus tipple is probably the only way I can describe this one. Lemon & Basil was my favourite of the three, and with two and a half lemons going into every 20cl bottle, you’d expect a serious lemon kick. Somehow, though, the way it’s been distilled, along with the basil, tones down the sharpness perfectly. It’s light, refreshing and ideal for a summer’s day when you want something that isn’t too heavy but still has plenty of flavour. I mixed mine with Fever-Tree Mexican Lime Soda, which gave it a whole new meaning of Lemon & Lime. I could also see this working really well as a palate cleanser at a dinner party.
Orange & Tarragon
This is the one I’m still not completely sure about, and I think that’s mainly because I’m not overly keen on tarragon. Knowing it was in there probably made me less likely to pick it up in the first place! The good news is that the tarragon is really subtle, and I found it helped tame the orange rather than overpowering it. I’d happily drink this over ice, or I’d be tempted to make a longer serve with soda water and experiment with a garnish other than orange to see what brings out the flavours. If you’ve got any garnish ideas, let me know in the comments — I’d be more than happy to experiment until I find my favourite combination!
Nettle, Honey & Ginger
If you like an earthy gin, I think this one will be right up your street. Nettle, Honey & Ginger is fresh and herbaceous from the nettle, warm from the ginger and has just enough sweetness from the honey to balance everything out. It has plenty going on without any of the flavours fighting for attention. I liked pairing mine with fresh pink grapefruit juice and a slice of grapefruit to garnish, which worked really well with those earthy and warming notes.
One thing I will say about this South Coast brand is that they’ve created some beautiful botanical pairings with some interesting fruits and flavours. Each one has its own personality, and I liked that they weren’t simply sweet liqueurs designed to be knocked back over ice. There’s plenty here to experiment with, whether you want to enjoy them neat, over ice or start creating your own serves.
Will I be buying from them again? Of course, I will, and not just for myself. These would make lovely gifts for anyone who enjoys trying something a little different, especially if they like experimenting with drinks and mixers as much as I do.
At the time I tried them, all three flavours were available individually or together as a beautiful gift box, either through The Whimsical Forager’s website or selected small stores across Dorset.
Price: £-££ / Website: whimsicalforager.co.uk
