Literary fans toast to Charlotte Brontë’s bicentenary with limited edition liqueur
A SPECIAL celebratory glass can now be raised to mark the bicentenary of Charlotte Brontë’s birth following the launch of a limited edition liqueur produced in her honour.
Yorkshire-based Brontë Liqueur Company has launched Charlotte’s Reserve, a bramble and creamy caramel liqueur sweetened with wildflower honey and jasmine, to complement its existing Brontë Liqueur drink.
Handmade by local craftsmen to a secret recipe designed to evoke the rugged Yorkshire Moors, a 20cl bottle of the drink is presented in a presentation box reminiscent of an 18th century leather bound book.
Behind the product is Sir James Aykroyd of Birstwith Hall, North Yorkshire. Sir James’ great grandfather, Sir James Roberts, bought the Haworth village parsonage in 1928 and gifted it to the Brontë Society.
Sir James discovered Brontë Liqueur 40 years ago while on business as a drinks exporter in Paraguay, South America. After updating the recipe to appeal to modern tastes, the liqueur was re-launched two years ago and celebrates God’s Own County through blackberries and sloes and a hint of jasmine.
He said: “Liqueurs have a bit of an image problem with the modern consumer and are often consigned to the back of the drinks cupboard to be brought out at Christmas. But it’s my mission to raise awareness of these drinks as a versatile ingredient in cocktails. The fruity liqueur mixes perfectly with champagne and with mixers to make a refreshing cocktail and works really well with chocolate.
“We’re working with the hospitality industry throughout the UK and overseas to demonstrate this to younger consumers through a series of exclusive recipes as we believe that tasting really is believing.”
The Yorkshire company sells directly to upmarket bars and restaurants as well as specialist independent retailers. Contacts with importers in overseas markets have been made in Scandinavia, Russia, Italy, Spain, Japan, UAE, Canada and the United States.
A percentage of all sales of Brontë Liqueur will be donated to the Brontë Society to help ensure the enduring legacy of the Brontë family.
