For too long, those at the table not drinking have been quietly underserved. While their companions toast with champagne, clink glasses over cocktails, or sample the latest vintage, they’re offered a weary trio of Still, Sparkling, or — if fortune smiles — Elderflower. Christopher’s is here to change that.
Founded by Tom Parker Bowles and Jolyon Fenwick, Christopher’s is a new British premium cordial brand that reclaims the lost elegance of soft drinking. The name harks back to a tale from a 1995 veterans’ gathering on the lawn at Buckingham Palace — a memory, a sip of elderflower, and a century-old nickname for a soldier’s cherished refreshment.
Rooted in the Renaissance, when cordials were first crafted as invigorating tonics, Christopher’s revives the tradition with modern integrity and English wit. The debut collection features three extraordinary blends:
- Blackcurrant & Blueberry
- Gooseberry & Lime
- Sicilian Lemon & Redcurrant
All are made with 64% pure juice, including berries grown on a single farm in Herefordshire, and lemons sourced from a small producer in Aci Sant’Antonio, nestled on the Ionian-Etnea coast of eastern Sicily — a region famed for lemon cultivation for over 300 years.
These cordials are balanced, vibrant, and never cloying — enhanced with botanicals certified by Kew Gardens and sweetened only with a dash of organic cane sugar. Entirely free from concentrates or additives, they’re designed to mix effortlessly with still or sparkling water (or something stronger) to elevate even the simplest glass.
Presented in 350ml clear flint glass bottles, with woodcut labels by celebrated illustrator Andrew Davidson, every element has been crafted with care. The artwork subtly echoes the St. George’s Cross, while the bottle cap bears the inscription: VA-T-EN RASSURÉ — a phrase found on St. Christopher medals meaning ”Go on reassured.”
“Cordials have been with us for centuries — once used to invigorate the heart, now to uplift the palate,” says Tom Parker Bowles. “Christopher’s is about flavour, joy, and craft. These are serious soft drinks, made with real care — and absolutely delicious with sparkling water. It’s what I want on the table to offer something genuinely special to drink.”
“We created Christopher’s to ennoble water,” adds co-founder Jolyon Fenwick. “To bring back the idea of cordial as something generous, celebratory — even romantic. A drink that feels right on a table set for a feast, or simply a moment stolen in the kitchen.”
Christopher’s is more than just a soft drink. It is a quiet act of rebellion against the cluttered, sugary, inelegant offerings that dominate today’s shelves — and a nod to a more refined, more thoughtful England.
Availability:
Christopher’s Cordials launch 12 June priced from £9.95 and will be available at Christopherscordials.com and soon in Fortnum & Mason.
For those seeking the full experience by the glass, Christopher’s is set to appear on the menus of select leading bars and restaurants, with early interest from some of London’s most iconic addresses. Further on-trade partners will be announced soon.
