A new craft gin inspired by a cocktail served at a trendy city restaurant is being sold in Selfridges.
North Bar & Kitchen, in Leicester, launched its North42 rhubarb and blood orange gin in the summer.
And the two female entrepreneurs behind the business – Sally Davis and her partner Joanna Betts – have now struck a deal to sell the spirit at Selfridges in Birmingham.
They were able to distil 1,000 bottles of the gin, which is made with 100 per cent natural ingredients, following a successful crowdfunding campaign.
They created the rhubarb and blood orange gin to complement the gins they sell in the bar restaurant.
The Selfridges deal, they said, was done after a chance remark at a business event.
Sally was speaking about their achievements at the Birmingham launch of Back to Business, a Treasury-led inquiry into the barriers female entrepreneurs face.
Sam Watts, Selfridges Birmingham general manager, was in the audience and heard Sally say she would love the department store to stock her product.
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Sam was so compelled by the story behind North42 that she offered support them.
Sally said: “It was a surreal moment.
“At that time, we had a concept of the blend, a name and design for the bottle.
“We felt our restaurant experience had equipped us to make a superb tasting gin. So, to get it stocked in one of our favourite stores has been a dream come true.
“We’re so excited that our premium gin will be in such a prestige store.
“We crafted the gin to be perfect on its own, in a cocktail or with tonic water.
“We’re looking forward to introducing it to new customers over the next few months, showcasing how it can be enjoyed.”
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She said the blend was inspired by their restaurant’s best-selling cocktail, the Rhubarb Tumble, and is made by a local distillery.
It is flavoured with aromatic blood orange and tart English rhubarb and has become their restaurant’s house gin.
The launch of North42 gin in the Birmingham Bullring store will be followed by pop-up shops in the flagship London store and Manchester, as well as online.
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The number 42 has been key to the brand – the restaurant at 42 Hinckley Road, it opened on 4/2/2015 and the gin is 42% ABV.
Sam Watts said: “Sally and Joanna were so passionate about their gin that I was really keen to bring it into the store.
“Our customers love an exclusive, premium product and they also love a good story behind it.
“The fact that we’re supporting female entrepreneurs from the Midlands is also fantastic.”
North42 retails for £42 a bottle.