There’s that one moment in the summer: The sun has just set, everyone’s still sitting outside, someone goes to get the glasses. And then we clink glasses, and I’m holding a glass of water.
Nothing against water. But I don’t drink alcohol, and the selection of alternatives is usually pretty limited in moments like these. It doesn’t always have to be alcohol. It just shouldn’t feel like I’m missing out. Our MANUKA VIRGIN is designed for exactly these moments: a non-alcoholic alternative with real New Zealand Manuka honey, which we developed together with the people who have made non-alcoholic enjoyment their craft.
A product exchange turned into a real collaboration
There was no grand plan at the start, and looking back, that’s exactly what I love about it. Boris from Quarantini met Florian and me and realized pretty quickly that we’d like his products. Neither of us drinks alcohol, so he didn’t have to convince us for long. So we swapped, just as you do when you like what the other person makes: his non-alcoholic alternatives for our New Zealand Manuka honey.
As we tasted his varieties, the idea almost came naturally: What if one of them contained our Manuka honey? Boris and his distillery know botanicals like almost no one else; we know our honey. That’s all it took to get started.
Several tastings followed. Different citrus notes, different ratios. Until it became clear to us: Lemon is the perfect complement to the natural honey note. And with that, the recipe was set.
It was actually only meant to be a one-time thing
It was a little treat for the guests at our 5th-anniversary celebration. A small thank-you, produced just once for that one evening, and then it was supposed to be history.
But the demand for it simply didn’t let up. Messages came in, questions came in, and the same request kept coming up: Is it available for purchase anywhere? At some point, it became clear to Boris and us: Our Honeybees should be able to enjoy it just as much as our guests did back then. So we had a small batch produced.
That’s why it’s strictly limited: 4,000 bottles for the summer of 2026, and after that, it won’t be produced again.
Manuka Honey MGO 300+ and Four Botanicals
Essentially, there are two things that define MANUKA VIRGIN: our Manuka honey and four carefully selected botanicals.
At its heart is Manuka honey—genuine Manuka honey with a certified MGO 300+ rating from New Zealand, making up 17% of each bottle. So it’s actually honey—not just a flavoring that tastes like honey. MGO stands for methylglyoxal, the natural compound that distinguishes Manuka honey from other types of honey. The content is lab-tested and transparently declared, just as you’ve come to expect from our honeys.
Added to this are the botanicals, double-distilled:
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Tuscan juniper: spicy, fresh, and slightly resinous. It forms the foundation of the flavor profile and gives the whole blend its aromatic depth.
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Sicilian lemon: the star of the Virgin. Crisp, tangy, and vibrant.
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Bergamot: the slightly more bitter, elegant citrus note alongside it.
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Iris root: subtly floral, slightly earthy, and delicately powdery. It ties the spicy and fresh notes together.
This is what MANUKA VIRGIN tastes like
At first, you’ll notice the citrus freshness of lemon and bergamot—tangy and bright. Behind that comes the juniper with its spicy, slightly resinous note, familiar from a classic aperitif. And the finish is all about the honey: a mild, subtly tart sweetness that doesn’t feel overly sugary but instead rounds out the flavor. The iris provides a floral foundation beneath it all, ensuring that the individual notes don’t clash.
The moment I first tasted it, it just clicked for me.
It doesn’t always have to be alcohol
MANUKA VIRGIN is just as versatile in a long drink, mocktail, or non-alcoholic aperitif as a classic spirit. We recommend 40 to 50 ml per drink and giving the bottle a quick shake before use. There are still plenty of summer evenings ahead of us, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to experiment. Here are three ideas that are our favorites:
The Classic: Manuka Virgin Tonic
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40 to 50 ml MANUKA VIRGIN
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150 ml Indian tonic water or bitter lemon
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Plenty of ice, preferably large cubes
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1 slice of Sicilian lemon
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1 sprig of rosemary
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1 long drink glass
Fill the glass to the brim with ice, pour MANUKA VIRGIN over it, and top off with tonic water. Give it a quick stir to combine everything without losing the fizz. Add the lemon slice and rosemary on top—done.
This is the perfect drink for balmy evenings on the patio. The tonic cuts through the honey’s sweetness and brings out the juniper, while the rosemary enhances the herbal notes. If you’re only going to try one drink, make it this one. It’s also my personal favorite.
The Summery One: Manuka Virgin Spritz
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40 ml MANUKA VIRGIN
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100 ml non-alcoholic sparkling wine or soda
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1 splash of bitter lemon
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Ice cubes
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1 lemon zest
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1 large wine glass
Add a few ice cubes to the glass, pour MANUKA VIRGIN over them, top off with non-alcoholic sparkling wine, and add a splash of Bitterlemon. Briefly squeeze the lemon zest over the glass so the oil spreads across the surface, then drop it into the glass.
Light, bubbly, and perfect for toasting. I recommend this spritz when you have guests and want everyone to have the same drink in their glass. It looks just as festive on the table as anything else—only without the hangover the next morning.
The Pure: Manuka Virgin on the Rocks
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40 ml MANUKA VIRGIN
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1 large ice cube
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1 thin slice of bergamot or lemon
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1 tumbler
Place the ice cube in the glass, pour MANUKA VIRGIN over it, and place the slice on the rim. That’s all. The larger the ice cube, the slower it melts, and the longer the flavor remains undiluted.
This is the best way to really taste what’s in the bottle: juniper, citrus, and honey, all side by side in their purest form. Perfect as an aperitif before dinner or simply as an after-work drink when it’s been a hot day and you just want to sit back and relax.
Summer isn’t over yet
The best evenings are still to come. Whether by the pool, on the balcony, at a barbecue, or at a public viewing: MANUKA VIRGIN adapts to summer—not the other way around.
And if you’re not sitting by the sea right now, but on your balcony after work: that’s exactly what it’s made for. In a glass, you’ll find Sicilian lemon, Tuscan juniper, and New Zealand Manuka honey. A slice of summer you can bring home. Full of flavor, completely alcohol-free, and featuring the best of both worlds: our Manuka honey and the craftsmanship of Quarantini.
Once opened, it’s best to store it tightly sealed in the refrigerator. Otherwise, keep it in a cool, dry place and avoid direct sunlight.
And since there are only 4,000 bottles and it won’t be produced again, now is the perfect time to try it. I’d love for you to raise a glass with us.
If you’d like to bring a little piece of summer home, you can find MANUKA VIRGIN right here in our shop
