Ten with Tom: Pentire Drinks

Coastal evenings call for sandy toes, tasty picnics, and Pentire Drinks. Fuelled by a love for nature and active, outdoor living, we share many passions with Pentire. We caught up with founder, Alistair Frost to talk about our shared love for the outside world, sustainability and their exciting success…

TR: The natural world has evidently had a huge impact on what you create as a business – have you always been a nature lover?

AF: “I guess so. I would say an outdoors lover, which means you’re always immersed in nature which is great. A passion for active-outdoors living was a huge impact on creating Pentire for sure”.

TR: What’s the best thing about surrounding yourself and working with nature daily?

AF: “So, for us we’re distilling botanicals that are native to our coastline into healthy spirits which are then sold into the best retailers and served by the best bartenders around the world. So, the best thing about it is that we get to add a healthy angle into the drinks industry. Plus, the community we’re building of like-minded people that love to feel great every single day”.

TR: Is sustainability important to you and your growing brand?

AF: “Surfing is my main thing to do outside of work and has always been a leading passion of mine. So naturally spending allot of time in the ocean you’re experiencing first-hand the impact of everything. It connects you right in and it’s pretty shocking how much plastic and especially micro plastic is on the beach and in the water. It’s important to us that we keep working on positive impact all the time”.

TR: How do you come up with new recipes?

AF: “They all evolve from our first product Pentire Adrift that reflects Pentire’s signature refreshing coastal botanicals. Then they are layered with other citrus notes and lead botanicals. It’s super exciting and allot of testing and learning”.

TR: What do you consider your biggest achievement to date?

AF: “That’s an interesting one. Work wise it’s hard to pick one out, it’s incredible being able to walk around all the customers that were on the wish list and go in to see Pentire on shelf or on the bar, especially in New York or LA after it being an idea when I was living down in the harbour in Port Isaac.

But the real achievements are the little things every day, like being in the office or out somewhere with the whole team, or cracking something together that you’ve been working on for ages or winning a dream new customer. That’s the stuff that I love most”.

TR: What are your top three Cornish spots?

AF: “Ahh depends on what you’re looking for. I’ll let you in on a little Secret, our local beach Epphaven is pretty great to hang out at low tide. Fourboys in Rock, Nathan Outlaws, Rick Steins or Paul Ainsworth all have some good hangouts near home and the coast paths make for some magic trails to run”.

TR: As designers, we love hearing about other people’s interior style, what makes your house a home?

AF: “A simple, calming outdoors – indoor feel with heaps of natural light. Lots of negative space, of whites and natural wood. Wonderful”.

TR: Do you have a favourite Tom Raffield design?

AF: “I love the simple bedside stools. They encourage a simple and minimal lifestyle, which also makes one sleep well”.

TR: Can you describe your typical working day?

AF: “Definitely depends on where I am, which changes allot. The themes that do run in that is I exercise almost every day, it’s a must for me. Finding time for some deep work, collaborating with the team in person, some sort of time on calls with the US team or vice versa, and always getting some face time in with our customers on the ground. It’s always where you learn the most and I love live customer feedback”.

TR: What’s to come for Pentire?

AF: “Great question. We’re just launching with a fantastic new distributor in New York where I’m on the way to right now. Pentire is a bartender’s favourite so it’s incredibly exciting to be in the cocktail capital of the world, & the NY Times have named us the best tasting non-alcoholic spirit. On that note a Martini recipe feels most fitting and is my favourite way to drink Pentire. 

Pentire Adrift Martini

• 75ml/3oz Pentire Adrift
• 2 Nocellara olives in brine
• A bar spoon of olive brine
• Wedge of fresh grapefruit

 

Method: 

• Chill your chosen glass
• Cut one olive from it’s stone and add to mixing glass
• Add a bar spoon of olive brine and the juice from a grapefruit wedge
• Add Pentire Adrift and stir with ice
• Strain into the chilled glass, served over a large ice cube, garnishing with the remaining olive.

Cheers Alistair!

Posted: 22.08.24