Lanique, the unique liqueur made with the oil from rose petals, is set for a revival in the UK after being added to the portfolio of leading distributor Love Drinks.
The new-look brand is being launched in the UK on behalf of entrepreneur Lawrence Huggler who owns hotels and other businesses including Bohemia Bar & Restaurant in Jersey.
After buying Lanique two years ago, he has redesigned the bottle and label to reflect the rich history and quality of the drink that dates back over 200 years.
He said: “By working with Love Drinks, we know that Lanique will be introduced to the right people in the right places and, with their brand-building knowledge and expertise, we’re confident that many people will get the chance to enjoy the unique elements of Lanique like I have.”
To celebrate the full launch of Lanique into the UK market, special limited-edition golden tops have been created for the first 1,980 bottles.
It joins Love Drinks’ portfolio of premium brands including El Dorado rums, Gosling’s rums, Abelha cachaça, Hayman’s gins, The Bitter Truth bitters, and U’Luvka vodka.
Lanique is made with attar of rose which is created by steam-distilling thousands of rose petals to create a pure rose essential oil. It is more expensive per kilogram than gold.
The drink was first discovered and enjoyed over 200 years ago amongs the elite of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia, drunk by the wealthy at their celebrations and grand balls.
It remained a favourite through to the 1920s but disappeared with the Second World War and the rise of Communism. After the reopening of eastern Europe, the recipe was rediscovered and Lanique was relaunched as a brand.
Lawrence said: “I was introduced to Lanique in the summer of 2003. I tried a Lanique & Lime and loved the drink so much we ensured we had direct supply to our bar where it became a top seller.
“Eight years later the opportunity to buy Lanique came about and I jumped at the chance. It has taken two years to agree a deal and further year to get Lanique ready for a full UK launch but it’s been worth every minute.”
Kirsty Loveday, managing director and founder of Love Drinks, said: “We are always on the look-out for those hidden gems, drinks that people might not have tried or tasted before.
“What is always at the forefront of my mind when introducing brands into our portfolio is that the drink must be of the utmost quality. I was intrigued by the story of Lanique and its journey over the years.
“I think it will be an exciting proposition for the trade as there’s nothing else like it on the market and it really is one of a kind. It’s not every day that you get a chance to work on a drink that has so much history and heritage like Lanique.”
Lanique can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, especially as a Lanique & Tonic, Lanique & Soda and Lanique & Lemonade, but the signature serve is Lanique & Lime. The fresh lime complements the natural aroma and taste of Lanique while the lime’s bitterness balances the sweet Lanique tones.
To make a perfect Lanique & Lime, add lots of crushed ice into a tumbler glass with 50ml of Lanique, a quarter of a lime and fresh lime juice. A dash of soda can be added to taste.
Love Drinks will also promote cocktails for the brand, such as a twist on a vodka Martini called a Laniquetini.
Lychee & Rose Petal Martini
30ml Lanique
60ml Hayman’s London Dry
30ml Lychee Syrup
Two dashes of The Bitter Truth Aromatic Bitters
Stir all ingredients with ice, strain into a chilled Martini glass, and garnish with a rose petal.
Rose & Cucumber Collins
25ml Lanique
25ml Hayman’s Old Tim
12.5ml Lemon juice
5-6 large slices cucumber
Top with soda
Muddle the cucumber in a shaker, add all the other ingredients except the soda and shake. Fine-strain into a Collins glass over ice and top with soda. Garnish with a cucumber slice.
An Indulgent Rose
20ml Lanique
2-3 dashes The Bitter Truth Chocolate Bitters
Top with Prosecco
Build ingredients in a champagne flute or bowl and garnish with kaffir lime leaf on the rim or pink grapefruit zest.
The Rose Rickey
25ml Hayman’s Old Tom Gin
1 barspoon of Lanique
12.5ml Fresh lime juice
Add ingredients into a shaker with ice, shake and strain into an iced Collins glass and top with soda.
Mint Fizz
A handful of fresh mint
25ml Lanique
15ml Cointreau
Champagne to top up
Muddle the lime in a Collins glass. Add the Lanique and Cointreau into a shaker with cubed ice. Shake and strain into the glass with lime, add crushed ice and top up with champagne.
Triple L
25ml Lanique
15ml Lemon vodka
10ml Amaretto
5ml Fresh lime juice
15ml Cranberry juice
Served straight up with a lemon twist.
