Everleaf

His background proved unexpectedly perfect for the task. Growing up with a botanist father who worked at Kew Gardens gave Mathew an encyclopaedic knowledge of plants. Years studying ecosystems taught him how flavours interact. The challenge wasn't finding interesting botanicals. It was making them work together in a glass.

The range takes inspiration from natural biomes. Forest delivers bitter, complex notes that echo the depth of a proper aperitif. Marine brings coastal freshness with a saline edge that works brilliantly in spritzes. Mountain offers something brighter and more aromatic. Each expression uses botanicals sourced with the same rigour Mathew applied to his conservation work.

Texture proved the hardest puzzle. Many alcohol-free spirits taste fine but feel thin, lacking the weight that makes a drink satisfying. Mathew found solutions in acacia and seaweed extracts, giving Everleaf a mouthfeel that actually holds its own when mixed.

The drinks sit firmly in aperitif territory. Pour over ice with tonic, build into a spritz, or let a bartender work their magic. They're designed for that early evening moment when you want something sophisticated but clear-headed.

Everleaf has earned B Corp certification and donates to conservation causes through 1% for the Planet. For Mathew, sustainability isn't marketing. It's the worldview that shaped his entire career before drinks entered the picture.

You'll find Everleaf at independent bottle shops, quality supermarkets like Waitrose, and a growing number of cocktail bars that take their alcohol-free lists seriously. They ship direct from their website too. It's priced at the premium end of the category, which reflects the sourcing and complexity rather than just the branding.