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Star turn for vodka sparks couple's plans for expansion
A HUSBAND and wife team from Yorkshire, who have launched a brand of raspberry vodka, have won a listing in a Michelin-starred restaurant.
John and Fiona Raper, from Sprotbrough, near Doncaster, hit on the recipe after Mrs Raper's experiments in the kitchen using raspberries grown locally.
They tested it on friends and family before hooking up with their friends, and local fruit producers, Richard and Judy Brittain, from nearby Tickhill, to create Brittain's Raspberry Vodka.
Mr and Mrs Raper, aged 57 and 50 respectively, are targeting high-end food and drinks retailers and restaurants. Their vodka is being stocked at The Star Inn, at Harome, in North Yorkshire, as well as at Chatsworth House farm shop and wine merchants Playford Ros.
The drink is made without additives, and Mr and Mrs Raper say it has a soft and velvety texture.
Andrew Pern, head chef and owner of The Star Inn at Harome, said: "The depth of flavour of the vodka not only suits autumn/wintertime refuelling, but is also an ideal mixer to use in the height of summer as the base for a refreshing cocktail, or even, as we do, poured over lovely summer berries and served with local clotted cream or ice cream."
Now the Rapers intend to produce their vodka on a much larger scale and plan to market the brand across the country.
Mr Raper, who was managing director of his family's arable farming business – started by his father – until 2005, said: "We have worked extremely hard to ensure that Brittain's Raspberry Vodka is one of the best infused vodkas on the market, and we're delighted with the result."
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Weather for Yorkshire
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
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