Chesterfield drinks Archives - Destination Chesterfield

Hogg Norton picks up prestigious Great Taste Awards

16th August 2024

A Chesterfield-based producer of alcoholic liqueurs has once again taken Great Taste Awards for two of its drinks.

Hogg Norton has been recognised with One Star for its Elderflower Liqueur and Two Stars for its Chocolate Liqueur.

Great Taste is the world’s largest and most trusted food & drink accreditation scheme, with products across the world being put to the test by a panel of more than 500 experts.

Hogg Norton has now won a dozen Great Taste Awards in total, after also gaining recognition in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023.

Mike Norton, Co-Founder of Hogg Norton commented: “We are so pleased to have won Great Taste Awards for another two products this year!! Continually winning Great Taste Awards is a fantastic way of getting feedback from the very best in the industry that we are consistently making great tasting liqueurs.

Explaining what people can expect from sampling the award-winning products, Mike said:”Our Elderflower Liqueur has a delicate and floral taste which captures the essence of summer in a bottle. This liqueur offers a light, refreshing flavour that is perfect on its own, over ice, added to Champagne or Prosecco for an elegant summery spritz, with soda water for a refreshing long drink or add to Gin or Vodka and create your own delicious cocktail.

“Our Chocolate Liqueur is a delicious velvety liqueur that embodies the rich essence of chocolate, offering a decadent flavour profile that delights the senses. It is delicious enjoyed neat, over ice, add to milk for a grown up milkshake, add to coffee for a delightful mocha twist, partner with a cream liqueur for a rich blend, whipped cream for indulgent topping, vanilla ice cream for a luxurious float or you can have as a versatile ingredient in cocktails and desserts, our chocolate liqueur promises a sophisticated taste journey. In the winter add some to your hot chocolate or even just drink it warm.”

Mike also told us that he still gets a buzz everytime his products are given the honour of a Great Taste Award: “It really is so rewarding that we have won awards every year since 2019 and it gives us the motivation to keep coming up with new exciting flavours.

“Living in Chesterfield it is difficult not to be inspired when you are surrounded by so much natural beauty and produce. We love getting the local community involved with produce from their own gardens. Being able to attend local events and sell our liqueurs which were made from just down the road is such a lovely feeling.”

Nick Hogan, Destination Chesterfield Board Member commented: “A huge well done to Hogg Norton on achieving more Great Taste Awards.

The company shows off the best produce grown right here in North Derbyshire, and consistently picks up accolades for its unique and innovative products.

“A toast to many more awards in the future!”

Hogg Norton supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Hogg Norton – Mike Norton displaying products at Chatsworth Country Fair

Mike Norton displaying Hogg Norton products at Chatsworth Country Fair 2023 – Image by Visit Peak District & Derbyshire.

Franklin & Sons Partners with Red Engine to achieve sustainability goals

4th April 2024

Independent soft drinks and mixers brand, Franklin & Sons, part of Chesterfield-based Global Brands is launching a new-to-market product format.

The product will be launched across all UK Red Engine sites, the team behind Flight Club and Electric Shuffle.

Franklin & Sons has been working on producing a 200ml can for its Premium Indian & Premium Light Tonic in a bid to support the company with its sustainability goals, and has found perfect launch partner in Red Engine.

Flight Club and Electric Shuffle are two competitive socialising venues that have risen rapidly in popularity over the last few years, modernising traditional games such as darts and shuffleboard to reinvent the bar experience for the 21^st century.

The aluminium cans weigh 94% less than the 200ml glass bottles, leading to a reduction in weight per case, significantly reducing transportation costs, fuel consumption and packaging volume, leading to a much lower carbon contribution.

Crucially for a hospitality venue, this initiative will also minimise waste and is projected to create a substantial 42% reduction in wastage removal expenses for Red Engine.

Dustin Acton, Chief Operating Officer at Red Engine, emphasised the strategic significance of the partnership, commenting: “We have worked with the team at Franklin & Sons for a couple of years now and we’re impressed with how much they value our partnership, going above and beyond to meet our business needs.

“Franklin & Sons is fully aligned with our morals and values and consistently looks for ways to add value to our business, showing true commitment to nurturing a collaborative relationship.”

James Stimson, Senior Brand Manager at Franklin & Sons added: “At Franklin & Sons, we are constantly innovating, and pride ourselves on demonstrating agility when it comes to meeting our customers’ needs.

“We’re pleased to be extending our partnership with an institution such as Red Engine, and that we have been able to provide a solution for such a valued customer. Aluminium cans are infinitely recyclable, using 95% less energy than producing new packaging, and creating 65% less CO2e during the recycling process than their glass counterparts.

“We look forward to seeing the benefits this will bring to the business and are excited to be alongside them in their sustainability journey.”

Global Brands supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.