At this point we all know about the importance of bees and we all know that the bee population is decreasing at a scary rate, but what can we do to help? Of course we can plant more wildflowers as a source of food and shelter for bees, or make sure to buy veggies that have not been grown with harmful pesticides. Alternatively, you can always get yourself one of the following drinks and know that your Friday night glass of something is in fact helping the bees!
Beeble Honey Whiskey
Beeble whiskey started with just one bee-hive. The beekeepers didn’t want to waste the last bits of honey still stuck to the frames taken from the hives, so they had the brilliant idea to soak the frames in whiskey, creating a dreamy honey infused spirit! This drink has delightful sweet and floral notes, and is perfect over ice. This is a great company to support, working hard to minimise waste as well as supporting the Bees for Development charity.
Size: 500mL
ABV: 30%
Find here: £32
Gosnells Wildflower Mead
A local London company, Gosnell’s has made a delightful mead (a honey based drink) using the nectar of 45 different indigenous plant species. The result is a light, refreshing low alcohol drink perfect to take along to your summer picnics, or to use as an alternative to tonic water in your next G&T! If you are looking for another excuse to buy a couple of these tins, Gosnell’s is also running a “Pints for Pollinators” campaign where for every pint of Wildflower Mead sold, they will donate 5p to the Bumblebee Conservation Trust!
Size: 440mL
ABV: 4%
Find here: £10 for 4
Spier Wines
Of course there are multiple vineyards actively helping to protect the bees, but for now let’s highlight Spier. This farm from Stellenbosch not only has amazing value-for-money wines, it also is using natural farming wherever possible! By lowering the use of harmful pesticides and herbicides, the bee population is able to flourish (and of course help out with pollination - an essential step in grape growing). We suggest you try the 2020 Pinotage. This wine has lovely smooth tannins, as well as red and black fruit flavours such as dark cherries and juicy ripe plums.
Size: 750mL
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: £10.95
Afon Mêl
Another great mead option, this time hand-crafted in Wales! All honey is sourced from the Afon Mêl farm, where the bees' habitat is the number one priority. Try the award-winning Heather Mead. This is a beautiful golden drink with notes of caramel and of course - heather.
Size: 750mL
ABV: 13%
Find here: £28
Beesou Honey Aperitif
Perhaps this slightly different bee-interpretation might tickle your fancy? This natural bitter aperitif made with British honey as well as cinchona bark, pink grapefruit and bitter orange. This is the perfect addition to your bar cart for the summer. Think of all the bee-autiful cocktail variations (our personal favourite is of course the beegroni).
Size: 13%
ABV: 750mL
Find here: £29.99
Warner’s Honeybee Gin
Warner’s distillery is another classic British distillery doing their part in helping our yellow and black friends. The distillery has even hired their own personal beekeeper for the farm to make sure that the bees are happy and healthy. The Honeybee gin has won multiple awards, and you sure can taste it! This gorgeous gin has notes of elderflower, rose and chamomile with a lovely sweet note from the honey.
Size: 750mL
ABV: 40%
Find here: £38
