Bill chats to JOMO Club, the UK’s alcohol-free drinks box company. Helping their members discover the best tasting alternatives to alcohol.

Bill chats to JOMO Club, the UK’s alcohol-free drinks box company. Helping their members discover the best tasting alternatives to alcohol.

YOU USE A BALANCED BLEND OF WILD FLAVOURS. WHAT DOES WILD FLOWERS MEAN - WHAT'S INSIDE THE BOTTLE?

Feragaia is made from 12 responsibly sourced land and sea botanicals. The delicate flavours of flowers and leaves such as bay, blackcurrant leaf and chamomile combine with the earthier notes of root botanicals like ginger and liquorice and spices to create a wild and complex taste that allows you to sip slowly and savour as you would an alcoholic drink. We grow and harvest 5 botanicals from Scotland, whether it's sugar kelp from West Scotland, Blackcurrant Leaf from Perthshire, or Bay, Lemon Verbena and Chamomile from our farm in Fife. 

WHEN YOU SET OUT TO CREATE FERAGAIA, WHAT WAS THE VISION FOR WHAT YOU WANTED TO CREATE? A SOPHISTICATED SPIRIT, A UNIQUE SPIRIT, A SPIRIT SIMILAR TO AN ALCOHOLIC SPRIT YOU LOVED?

In 2019 my Co-Founder and I set out with a vision to challenge negative preconceptions around alcohol-free by creating a truly original and confident ‘free spirit’ - a unique and standalone product that doesn’t rely on what we are trying to avoid – alcohol. We wanted to bring that farm to distillery to bottle story to the non-alcoholic category!  Aiming to set the benchmark for quality and authenticity in the rapidly evolving no/low spirits category and we continue to do so! 

WAS IT IMPORTANT TO INCLUDE ONLY NATURAL INGREDIENTS, TO HAVE NO SUGAR AND TO BE VEGAN AND GLUTEN FREE?

We wanted to reverse the expectation that alcohol-free drinks have to be sugary. Feragaia provides a sophisticated and interesting alternative but without the sugar, that can be enjoyed by all. 

YOU HAVE FAIRLY RECENTLY LAUNCHED THRE READY TO DRINK SERVES IN YOUR RANGE. WHY DID YOU EANT TO ADD RTD'S TO YOUR OFFERING?

We have indeed! We decided to roll out three of our most popular serves in RTD format (Feragaia & Ginger Ale, Feragaia & Tonic and the Feragaia Paloma) as we saw how rapidly the ready to drink market was growing. These pre-mixed flavour combinations allow us to meet even more drinking moments with an accessible and portable 0% ABV cocktail. 

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE OTHER TWO THAT WE DON'T HAVE IN THE BOX TODAY?

These are two of our signature serves - Feragaia and tonic is a complex and refreshing mix that allows the flavours of the botanicals to shine through. The Paloma captures the captivating flavours of Mexican Wild Earth with a balance of citrus, salt and spice. Both great options for the upcoming summer months, so definitely check them out here.

HOW IS FIFE AN INSPIRATION FOR YOUR BRAND, FLAVOUR AND THE INGREDIENTS YOU USE?

I grew up on a family farm in Fife, where we grow cereal crops for the global food & drink industry. It was always an inspiration to get involved. Scotland is world famous for its food & drink being home to some of the worlds finest brands that you see across the globe. Feragaia is the next chapter in this illustrious history and reputation of Scotland with Fife playing a central part! In 2022 we opened the Feragaia distillery, the first working alcohol-free distillery in Scotland, in the heart of Fife. This allowed us to hire a local workforce both there and on our nearby farm where we grow native Scottish ingredients that make up our drink. 

HAVE YOU SEEN DEMAND AND CONSUMER BEHAVIOURS CHANGE IN THE PAST FEW YEARS?

There has most certainly been a shift over the last couple of years. Consumers confidence in the no/lo space has grown as they adopt healthier, more considered lifestyle choices which lead them to finding alcohol alternatives to enjoy. 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FERAGAIA SERVE?

A Feragaia Moscow Mule has to be up there at the moment – a really refreshing mix of Feragaia, Ginger Beer and fresh lime, add a bit of mint too! I also love a Feragaia, soda and lemon for a healthy, sugar-free drink to enjoy alongside food.

@jomoclubofficial


Older post