WITH the new Guardians of the Galaxy bursting onto our cinema screens I can’t help but be transported back to the glorious 1980s of bright colours and electro music. I also remember the sound of bottles clinking as the Bon Accord lorry pulled up with a rainbow of neon soft drinks and cordials.
I thought I was having an acid flashback when I heard the clinking again recently while sitting in my bar, The Finnieston, in Glasgow. A girl was standing there, with an armful of glass bottles with Bon Accord on them. After a 16 year absence, the company has been brought back to life by the great-great granddaughter of the original founders, Karen Knowles, and her business partner Nathan Burrough.
What a return it is. This iconic brand has developed a degree of sophistication, even a little elegance. Using only natural sweeteners such as honey and coconut nectar, and no refined sugar, Bon Accord has launched three drinks into bars and restaurants. A beautifully pink rhubarb soda, real cloudy lemonade and a lightly sparkling tonic. They couldn’t have done it better. I can’t think of anything cooler than our very own Scottish soft drink that slides seamlessly into the best of restaurant and bars.
All three drinks are best friends with gin and one of Scotland’s favourite tipples – vodka. They are also great with tequila – too good in fact – something I found out to my cost. For those not wishing to wake up in their garage smelling of lemons and rhubarb, these wonderful little drinks work beautifully on their own.
Graham Suttle is the managing director of Kained Holdings which has nine venues including The Finnieston and Porter & Rye in Glasgow
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