Wizard Winner! Sweet Woodruff Liqueur

Emporia Brands launches the new, Sweet Woodruff Liqueur, the winning recipe from UK Bartender, Ashley Hains, winner of the Gabriel Boudier Wizard Award

Emporia Brands is pleased to announce the UK release of Gabriel Boudier Sweet Woodruff, the latest bartender-created expression from Maison Gabriel Boudier. Developed by Ashley Haines, winner of the 2025 Gabriel Boudier Wizard Award Competition, this innovative liqueur showcases a distinctive botanical rarely used in modern drinks.

Described as elegant with a unique floral signature, Sweet Woodruff features the undergrowth flower of the same name, delivering notes of freshly cut grass, sweet almond, and biscuit. Haines secured the UK Wizard Award title in March 2025 for his imaginative use of this widely available yet under-appreciated plant.

Crafted through two key preparations, the liqueur integrates woodruff macerated for five weeks in a hydroalcoholic solution with a delicate green tea infusion. These components are blended with alcohol, water, and cold-dissolved sugar to preserve their aromatic integrity. Bottled at 22% ABV in 500ml format, the result opens new creative horizons for bartenders, with applications across cocktails, desserts, pastries, and even savoury dishes.

Commenting on the UK launch, Ashley Haines said:
“I’m extremely excited to see my Sweet Woodruff liqueur appearing on back bars and reaching the hands of UK bartenders. Watching fellow bartenders get creative with my creation is absolutely wild to me. I’m really looking forward to seeing – and more importantly tasting – what everyone comes up with, and I hope it can open further conversations about using the ingredients that grow around us.”

Launched in 2015, the Gabriel Boudier Wizard Award Competition invites UK bartenders to create an original, naturally sourced liqueur or crème that is not commercially available. Sweet Woodruff represents the latest winning recipe to join the Gabriel Boudier range.

Ashley will embark on a trade tour of the UK with Emporia Brands to launch his liqueur in February 2026. More information on these trade events will be available soon.

Gabriel Boudier Sweet Woodruff Liqueur is now available to order from Emporia Brands. Please contact your local account manager or call 01483 458700 for more information.