STROUD cordial producer, Sam Angelo has a taste for the finer things in life and one hot summer when he needed a thirst-quenching drink there was nothing on the market that appealed to him.

So he set about mixing up his own syrup with spices and fruits and the result sparked a growing business producing handmade exotic cordials.

There are now seven cordials in his range, with enticing names including Blossom Spark (spiced hibiscus) Mulled Sunshine (spiced orange) and Caribbean Homecoming (banana, tamarind and ginger).

In the summer locals can look forward to Cherished Crown (pineapple, lemon and ginger) Glacial Bliss (Thai basil and Lime) and Thai Caress (grapefruit, galangal and lemongrass) as well as a limited edition of elderflower and pine needles from Stratford Park.

Influenced by his Martinique parentage and brought up in France with lots of Creole-style cooking, Sam is passionate about flavours and good, quality, organic ingredients.

Working from his kitchen in Summer Street which has been awarded five stars for hygiene, Sam uses only 100 percent natural ingredients.

“There is nothing refined in my cordials,” he says.

“I use raw sugar and the spices are ground by hand to release the flavours slowly.

“All the citrus juices are squeezed by hand and everything is heated at very low temperatures so that the flavours remain intact.”

Sam is self-taught having learned a lot as a keen kitchen porter working in London hotels.

“I was always asking the chef to give me jobs to do after my shifts and I was always willing to help out in the kitchens,” he says.

He is constantly scouring preserving books for ideas including his favourite by Canadian nun Soeur Berthe.

He put down roots in Stroud 18-months ago with his partner Katerina and baby daughter Astraia and he has already made an impact on Stroud’s food aficionados.

The cordials are proving hugely popular at the Sunshine Bakery in Church Street.

Sam also delivers a range of organic breads around Stroud as well as homemade pizza bases and frozen vegetarian and vegan meals.

For more information call Sam on 07898 663806 or Kat on 07958 211936 or email info@vitalcreole.com See the May issue of Cotswold Essence for a full feature on Sam Angelo.