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A North East drinks business is toasting success with a a growing list of clients and staff, new listings and expansion into overseas markets.

Lixir Drinks was launched last year by Newcastle University graduates and former bartenders Matt Mahatme and Jordan Palmer, who set about refreshing the crowded beverage market with a range of five tonics.

The Lixir range — blood orange and cinnamon, rhubarb and ginger, elderflower and lemon as well as a classic Indian and a light tonic water – is promoted as good pairings with spirits as well as being just as good on their own.

A year later, the pair has expanded the Lixir Tonics team from a two-man team to five full time employees, on the back of a 100% increase in turnover in the first two quarters of the new financial year.

Three new non-executive directors have also been appointed to steer the Newcastle business through its next stage of growth.

Experienced hospitality leaders Barry Chevallier Guild, former chairman of Aspall Cyder, and Peter McDonald and James Watson, who are CEOs of Mosaic Pub & Dining, say they are now keen to expand the brand in the º£½ÇÊÓƵ and beyond.

Mr Chevallier Guild said: “For me the foundation for any really successful drink is first and foremost the quality of the liquid. Lixir delivers on that quality on each and every one of its tonics and the awards won to date only serve to confirm this, as does a phenomenal growth in sales this year.

“I am delighted to be part of a really exciting time for Lixir Drinks and look forward to working with Matt, Jordan and the team to help grow the brand both internationally and in the º£½ÇÊÓƵ.”