This Amsterdam drink is Robbie Williams’ favorite alcohol-free tipple
Sparkling Tea is a delicious alcohol-free alternative that top sommeliers (and global stars, as it turns out) can’t get enough of. Take the new Est., for example. It’s layered, full of depth and fizzes like your favorite champagne.
I was a little ahead of the curve when I declared Sparkling Tea the hit of summer 2020 four years ago. Could this finally be the summer it takes off? I’m all for it, because a sparkling tea that has everything except alcohol is incredibly delicious.
Tea masters
Est.’s Sparkling Tea was created in collaboration with two Amsterdam tea masters, Wesley Schipper and Maarten Riebeek. They not only have a nose for good tea, but also know what food pairs best with it. One won a gold medal at the Global Tea Finals, while the other is constantly looking for new ways to elevate gastronomic experiences with tea. Both currently work at restaurant MOON in Amsterdam, beneath the swings of the ADAM Tower, and are known both there and beyond for their innovative and refined flavor combinations. They serve a tea pairing with the menu featuring exceptionally delicious hot and cold teas.
Tea with your meal? Huh? Yes, it may take some getting used to, as it’s rather unusual in the western part of the world. The Chinese, on the other hand, have been drinking tea with their meals for thousands of years. Robbie Williams, the singer who hasn’t had a drop to drink in years, was blown away by the limitless possibilities of tea alongside food during a tea pairing at MOON.
Established Sparkling Tea
So it’s good news that Wesley Schipper and Maarten Riebeek, together with seven fellow co-founders, have poured all their knowledge, love and 15 years of tea experience into Est. (The abbreviation stands for Established Sparkling Tea.)
Established Magnolia has a vibrant amber color and fine bubbles. Aromas of magnolia in the morning dew (yes, really), mint, verbena, potpourri and dried rose petals leap from your glass. They’re followed by fresh apple, orange peel, clove and cinnamon. The flavor is surprisingly smooth, with a hint of bitterness in the background and refined tannins. Magnolia from Est. is at its best straight from the ice, and the combination with shellfish, fish dishes and various types of cheese is heavenly.
Robbie Williams drinks it too
Robbie Williams has since become a very enthusiastic ambassador. On Quote, we read that he has even gone to Robert Downey Jr., his neighbor in LA, with a bottle under his arm. Want to buy a star-worthy bottle? You can order it online for €23.95.
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