The past few months haven't been the best for the hospitality industry and by default, for a great number of their suppliers.
So, it’s heartening to see one North East-based company that has continued to grow and thrive. It’s just two years since Alnwick-based Steve Cooper, a former director of innovation at Coca-Cola, joined forces with top artist Alan Walsh and Australian multi award-winning bar owner, Mikey Enright to set up the Artisan Drinks Company.
The business grew out of a chance conversation between the threesome in Mikey’s highly acclaimed Sydney bar, The Barbershop, (which just happened to be named the world’s top gin bar earlier this year). The growth of the premium spirit market has, not surprisingly, led to parallel growth in the mixer market and all three believed there was still a gap that they could fill.
Fast forward two years and the Artisan Drinks Company is on an impressive upward trajectory. Its seven flavours, which it proudly pronounces “were developed in a bar, not a lab”, have been well received with the accolades coming thick and fast.
Artisan’s Pink Citrus Tonic was voted overall favourite by the 38,000 members of the Craft Gin Club, at the same time the Skinny London Tonic coming out on top in taste tests carried out in The Telegraph and national foodie magazine, Delicious. The company believes its success is down to a number of key factors. Firstly, great flavours – think Violet Blossom Tonic, Pink Citrus Tonic, Agave Lemon Tonic, Barrel Smoked Cola and Fiery Ginger Beer as well as a Classic London Tonic and Skinny London Tonic.
The fact that the whole range is made with 100 per cent natural flavours has added to their appeal, as does the unforgettable branding created by Alan Walsh – and if you’re happening to be passing Monaco, France you can always pop into his incredible art gallery where an Artisan display has pride of place among the art work. The company’s export market has also continued to rocket, with the product range now being stocked in Australia, Denmark, Italy, France, Czech Republic, Malta and The Netherlands, with strong progress being made to break into the North American market and other major territories.
Closer to home, some of the North East’s top bars and restaurants are also now stocking Artisan Drinks, as does Fenwick, with the company also recently doing a deal which will see the mixers in Holland and Barrett stores around the country.
One of Artisan’s other recent wins is with the Northumberland Pub Company to supply their sites -the Blackbird in Ponteland and The Northumberland Arms in Felton – with other leading leisure names also poised to sign up.
“It’s a very exciting time for Artisan,” said Steve. “We were very clear from the start of what we wanted to achieve and we haven’t strayed from that path.
“We wanted to do things differently and raise the bar higher, to bring the same craft quality that’s now in the spirit industry to mixers – to enhance the taste and drinking experience.
“The combination of our high quality, natural ingredients and the really stand out branding along with our focus on customer service is paying off.”
For further information or to order the Artisan Mixers visit www.artisandrinks.com
