When the people at Norfolk Punch got in touch and asked whether I could review their herb brew because it had fennel in it, I was only too pleased to help. I love herbs and I love a good drink.
When the gorgeous bottle arrived, I was a little gutted (having not done my research properly) to discover that this ‘monastic brew’ is non-alcoholic, and could therefore not legitimately feature in my Friday night regime of wine, pizza and a bad DVD.
But it turns out that this stuff is pretty epic, alcohol or no alcohol. Here’s a list of all the ingredients it contains: Alder Leaf, Alehoof, Angelica, Bay Leaf, Camomile, Carraway, Cinnamon, Clove, Daisy, Dandelion, Dock, Elder Berry, Elder Flower, Fennel, Feverfew, Ginger Root, Grape Skin, Hops, Lemon Balm, Lime Flower, Lime Leaf, Liquorice, Meadowsweet, Nutmeg, Peppermint, Poppy, Rosemary, Samphire, Thyme, Vervain.
With that many herbs, you could either be drinking something that tastes like a souped-up version of those depressing herbal teas you can buy which smell amazing and taste like brewed tree bark, or something wonderful. This drink is wonderful. It has a lovely sweet, fruity warmth to it.
It’s worth pointing out that although I enjoyed drinking a glass of this every night, my husband didn’t enjoy the herby taste. He did prefer it hot, as it tasted like a lovely mulled wine.
The biggest test of something that I’m reviewing is whether I’d actually buy it myself. It’s all very well liking something that’s free, but if that’s the only reason I enjoy it, it ain’t much good. With the Norfolk Punch, I’m ordering more of this charming little drink to get me through miserable weekday evenings with its cheery monastic herby flavour.
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Ranald Boydell
Thanks for the great review. But more importantly I am simply glad you enjoyed the Norfolk Punch. I do admit NP is a love-it-or-hate-it quite of drink, but I find that most people who love herbs and gardening do love it!