Alex Kratena launches single botanical cordials

by Owen Bellwood

Bartender Alex Kratena has partnered with syrup producer Monin to launch Paragon, a new range of single botanical cordials.

Kratena and Monin launched Paragon Cordials in London this week, debuting the brand's inaugural bottlings – three expressions flavoured with different strains of pepper. Each cordial in the Paragon range is made with the same base of water, sugar and acids, which is mixed with natural botanical extracts. The first three cordials launched by the brand are flavoured with Timur Berry from Nepal, White Penja Pepper from Camaroon and Rue Berry from Ethiopia. During a launch event at Kratena's London bar Tayēr + Elementary, bartenders and journalists were able to sample the three Paragon Cordials and try them in cocktails such as the Gimlet. Kratena said: “I’ve been working on these for two years, and it has come with a lot of stress and a lot of going back and forward on ideas. But through the process it was wonderful to have 100% creative freedom. “The flavour variety produced in different peppers is enormous. We will start with three cordials and they all use the same base of acid, water and sugar – it is a great new way for bartenders to add acidity and flavour to their cocktails.” Kratena said he plans to expand the range, with further cordials made using different strains of pepper set to be released next year. "Making these cordials was about taking different ingredients and giving bartenders a simple way to use them in their drinks," added Kratena. Earlier this year, Kratena partnered with fellow bartenders Monica Berg and Simone Caporale to launch a new liqueurs range inspired by the Amazon rainforest and made with natural ingredients.