A DRINKS producer in North Yorkshire has secured a listing with a major supermarket chain.

Raisthorpe Distillery’s Yorkshire Tonics are being stocked in 11 Morrisons’ stores in the north of England, including York, Malton, Leeds, Starbeck, Scarborough, Boroughbridge and Bridlington.

The tonics are made at Raisthorpe’s farm at Thixendale on the Yorkshire Wolds by blending local water with citrus and fruity botanicals and quassia, rather than traditional quinine.

Tonics made with quinine need to be sweetened to make them palatable. Quassia, derived from a shrubby tree, imparts a less bitter flavour that doesn’t need to be artificially sweetened, making the tonic less calorific and enhancing the gin’s natural flavour.

Available in 500ml bottles, the tonics are produced in eight flavours.

The apple and elderflower and pink grapefruit are both Great Taste Awards winners and the citrus, apple and elderflower, skinny and premium tonics all have accredited vegan status.

The tonic is also available in strawberry and pomegranate, mixed berry and new paradise flavours.

York Press:

Raisthorpe, a family business launched more than 10 years ago by Julia Medforth, launched its tonics three years ago in response to demand for locally-produced, premium-flavoured tonics.

Each tonic contains only natural ingredients and Vitamin C.

The new listing follows Raisthorpe’s listing with Booths which is selling Yorkshire Tonics in all of its 28 stores in the North.

Raisthorpe sales and operations director Oliver Medforth said: “As fellow tykes, we are delighted to be stocked on Morrisons shelves and be a part of their locally-sourced product range.

“The popularity of gin continues to grow apace with considerable consumer interest in flavourful botanicals and the pandemic has only increased interest in buying local and supporting local producers."

Raisthorpe Distillery’s spirits and Yorkshire Tonics are also stocked in farm shops, delis, independent retailers and the hospitality sector and from Raisthorpe’s shop at the York Designer Outlet shopping centre.