Winter warming drink from Northern Ireland to Harrods

The Good Food and Wine Company, the Northern Irish specialist in high quality artisan products, has won business from Harrods for Hot Toddy 'winter warmers'.

The company, based at Coleraine in county Londonderry, has begun supplying its Hot Toddy drink, a non-alcoholic spiced apple juice in 500ml bottles, to the high-end retailer in London's Knightsbridge.

The drink can be heated on the stove or in a microwave and mixed with other ingredients such as fruit or whisky for a warming and delicious drink.

Nicholas Lestas, who formed The Good Food and Wine Company in 2011 with wife Michelle, described the beverage as "Christmas in a cup", and adds that the business will be holding tastings in Harrods in early December.

"Winning this important business with such a prestigious retailer as Harrods is a massive boost for the company and gives us a platform from which to marker other food and drink from our range that includes smoked salmon, juices, condiments and our unique jams. The deal follows extensive discussions with Harrods over the past few months," he says.

"Our food and drink products have been developed over the past year using local experts and was recently benchmarked against current products on sale in exclusive UK retailers. Our research shows our products are superior in quality, appearance and texture."

The business with Harrods also follows the small company's success in winning UK Great Taste Awards for several products. Other recent business includes a pop-up shop selling its range of Christmas hampers in the Departures Lounge at the George Best Belfast City Airport and in stores at the iconic Titanic Signature Building close to the city centre.

The company provided smoked salmon with Irish whiskey and blackberry jam with 23 carat gold for the St Patrick's Day celebratory lunch at the Irish Embassy in Brasilia, an event attended by First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuiness during their visit to Brazil to promote investment and trade exchanges.

Nicholas and Michelle Lestas, both business consultants for over 13 years, have extensive experience in promoting gourmet Northern Ireland food and drink abroad.

The Good Food and Wine Company has offices in Coleraine and Belfast.