Ian and Rosemary Mills make their ‘Fruit Blush’ liqueurs on their smallholding on the Welsh/Shropshire borders, using local ingredients where possible. Fruits like damson, raspberry and blackcurrant, which celebrate the area’s heritage, are used to create the drinks which the Mills’ sometimes refer to as ‘Ribena for grown-ups’!

The true taste of the drink is a far more sophisticated blend of bitter and sweet flavours that are blended with gin or vodka to give them their boozy kick. Ian and Rosemary began as hobbyists and only started to sell their liqueurs in 2007, so have spent many years experimenting, and continue to bring out new varieties from time to time. It wasn’t long before their hard work was recognised, as they won a ‘highly commended’ in the November 08 True Taste of Wales Food & Drink Awards.

Liqueur is something of a minority spirit, so not something everyone knows how to enjoy, but the Mills’ have several great suggestions: it can be taken neat in a sherry glass as a digestif, mixed with champagne to add sweetness and flavour, or enjoyed with a mixer as a tasty alternative to straight vodka or gin. Another great suggestion is using liqueur to make a ‘tipsy crumble’ by adding it in along with the fruit.

Each of the Fruit Blush products is attractively packaged by hand, and would make an ideal gift. Because of the small-run nature of the business you’ll need to get in touch with Ian and Rosemary directly to place an order, but you can find their contact details over at their site