Botanical tonic
Curiosity Cola
Fentimans · Botanically brewed spiced cola
Hexham, Northumberland, England, United Kingdom
Fentimans builds this cola the long way around, fermenting fermented ginger root and a botanical blend for a week before bottling, and the depth shows. It pours a dark caramel and drinks fuller and drier than a mass-market cola, with warming cinnamon and clove leading the spice and a faint ginger lift underneath. Threads of licorice, lemon zest, and woody bark keep the mid-palate busy without ever tasting cluttered, finishing on lingering sweet spice rather than syrup. A genuinely grown-up spiced cola that earns its place in the botanical tier.
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The maker
Curiosity Cola is produced by Fentimans, the Hexham, Northumberland botanical brewer whose origins go back to a 1905 ginger beer recipe held by Thomas Fentiman. The business was re-established in 1988 by the founder's great-grandson and builds its sodas on infusion and fermentation of natural botanicals rather than straightforward carbonation of syrup. Curiosity Cola is its spiced botanical take on cola, using a fermented ginger root base.
Ingredients & nutrition
Carbonated Water, Fermented Ginger Root Extract (water, glucose syrup, ginger root, pear juice concentrate, yeast), Sugar, Flavourings, Colour: Caramel (E150d), Phosphoric Acid (E338), Caffeine.
9.3 fl oz · 94 cal · 21.5 g sugar(per serving, as labeled)