The new LAND GIRLS

‘I wanted to showcase British flavours’

Claire Oxley, 49, launched Allotment Drinks – a range of sparkling drinks, naturally flavoured by the British veg plot, hedgerow and garden – in February 2020. She lives in York with her partner and their three children.

THE IDEA

Following a career as a teacher and latterly working in a museum’s educational team, I wanted to do something for myself. In 2015, I started an events business with a friend, delivering gin-tasting experiences at hotels and venues. Every week for three years, we paired a range of gins with mixers and sodas. It struck me how the trend was to feature exotic flavours and garnishes, such as pomegranate, grapefruit and kiwi. While these are delicious, I started to question why we weren’t celebrating home-grown produce. I’ve always dabbled with growing my own fruit, vegetables and herbs. I realised I