immaculate collaborated with industry veteran Matt Servini from The Craft Distilling Business alongside the natural extract specialists at H E Stringer Flavours to help develop immaculate® alcohol-free G&T.

Matt Servini, a Master Distiller with extensive experience in the drinks industry, brings a unique blend of scientific rigour and artistic intuition to every project. His career, which began in R&D and expanded into the global design and commissioning of micro-distilleries, has equipped him with a profound understanding of flavour chemistry and distillation processes. This deep expertise, honed over years of developing award-winning spirits, was crucial in tackling the intricate challenge of creating a premium alcohol-free distillate for immaculate®.

Why Alcohol-Free Is So Challenging

Developing an alcohol-free spirit that genuinely captures the essence and complexity of its alcoholic counterpart is no small feat. Alcohol acts as a carrier for flavour, providing body, mouthfeel, and a distinct aromatic profile. Removing it requires an innovative approach to ensure that the final product doesn't feel thin or lack the characteristic botanical notes expected from a gin. This is where Servini’s mastery truly shines.

The collaboration with H E Stringer Flavours was instrumental in this process. Working closely with Matt Servini, H E Stringer developed fresh, clean and exciting botanicals and extracts to create the unique distillate (based on the original recipe developed by our botanist Hamish Martin). A range of special blends based on exotic citrus oils, juniper berry, coriander and lemon balm (to name but a few!) were created and, after many complex combinations, adjustments and tastings, the final flavours were harmonised, resulting in immaculate® Classic G&T.

Crafting the Heart of immaculate®

Servini's specific involvement centered on crafting the very heart of the alcohol-free G&T: the distillate. This involved selecting the finest botanicals and employing advanced distillation methods to capture their purest expressions.

Creating the perfect extract is a genuine secret art that has taken many decades to develop the knowledge. Matt's exceptional palate and nose for outstanding spirits were critical in guiding these trials, ensuring that each botanical note contributed harmoniously to the overall profile, delivering a crisp, refreshing, and genuinely complex taste experience.

One of the most important aspects of Matt’s work was ensuring that the final recipe could scale up successfully, from small test runs to full production. Creating a botanical drink that performs just as well in a distillery lab as it does in a 10,000-can batch takes a master!

Redefining What Alcohol-Free Can Be

immaculate®'s vision for a sophisticated alcohol-free option aligns perfectly with current trends. With Matt’s unparalleled expertise in distillation and flavour development, combined with the specialist knowledge of H.E. Stringer Flavours, a genuine partnership has successfully brought to life an alcohol-free G&T that promises to redefine expectations in the alcohol-free category.

This collaboration exemplifies how combining diverse expertise can lead to truly innovative and high-quality products that meet the evolving demands of customers looking for a grown-up, premium alcohol-free drink.

And we couldn’t be more grateful for Matt’s pivotal role in this journey.