Tea & Honey Aromatic Cocktail Bitters

It was a great honour for Bob to be invited to create a bespoke bitters exclusively for Fortnum & Mason, and he is proud to have produced the only cocktail bitters available at the world famous department store.

Fortnum & Mason, located in London’s Piccadilly, is celebrated across the globe. The luxury retailer currently holds Royal Warrants from both King Charles III and Queen Camilla. These warrants are granted in recognition of exceptional quality, excellence and sustainability, and require that the Royal Household has been supplied for a minimum of five years. Remarkably, Fortnum & Mason has held Royal Warrants for more than 300 years, spanning the reigns of 13 monarchs.

Founded in 1707 as a modest shop, the store has grown into a symbol of British luxury and tradition, marked by many notable developments over the centuries. A visit to Fortnum & Mason is always an occasion: indulge in an exquisite afternoon tea, explore the renowned Food Hall and Confectionery Department, admire the iconic ornamental Fortnum’s Clock, or marvel at the recent addition of the striking double helix staircase.

Famed for its exceptional range of teas, Fortnum & Mason provided the perfect inspiration for a store exclusive bitters, with honey emerging as the natural complement. Working closely with the Fortnum’s team, the Tea & Honey Bitters were crafted with breakfast and afternoon tea beverages firmly in mind.

Lapsang Souchong, Formosa, Chai Spice, Ceylon and Honey Tea are layered with chestnut and mountain honeys to create a distinctive blend that pairs beautifully with Cognac, Brandy, Rum or peaty whiskies. It is equally at home in a Vodka Martini, a Penicillin, or a twist on the classic Bee’s Knees.

For non alcoholic serves, a dash or two adds depth to soft drinks such as a Cloudy Chai Lemonade or an Iced Honey Tea, offering both refreshment and comfort.

Versatile and aromatic, the bitters also lend themselves to culinary use. They bring warmth and complexity to drizzles and syrups for baked goods, and add a soothing, fragrant note to glazes for fish or a jus for chicken.