‘I’ve created the ultimate Christmas tipple in Birmingham inspired by tea’

It’s the Birmingham, tea based tipple that’s set to be a very nice urner for its maker.

Whistler’s Storm – a range of liquors based on Britain’s favourite hot beverage – is proving the surprise hit in the city’s Christmas booze chart.

It is, excuse the pun, creating a storm in a tea cup, a real stir.

Highly respected off-licence Stirchley Wines, which stocks 3,000 lines, has reported the vodka based drink is flying off shelves. It’s also proving the new, trendy seasonal spirit at Schooners Bar, Kings Heath, and Digbeth’s Anchor Inn. Exports to Italy are brisk.

Dom Richardson, the man behind Erdington based Whistler’s Storm said: “I’m really surprised, I can’t quite believe it.” The drink gets its first airing on TV on Christmas Eve on Alan Titmarsh’s “Love Your Weekend” show. It’s among a number of festive cocktails being sampled.

For Dom – a civil servant by day – the growing business is a brew labour of love. Only launched in July, 2021, Whistler’s Storm comes in three taste tingling varieties – Earl Grey, Masal Chai and Assam Black.

Dom said: “I made liquors as a hobby and got into loose leaf tea during a trip to Kerala, India. It’s on the same lines as a coffee liquor, but more subtle. The hardest part was getting the taste of the tea to come through and really stand out. It can be drunk on its own with ice or mixed with ginger ale or lemonade. It also mixes well with cocktails”

And, at 20 per cent, Whistler’s Storm packs quite a punch. He added: “I’ve got something new for 2024, something exciting, but I’m keeping that a surprise.” It, too, will be tea based.

The success of Whistler’s Storm mirrors renewed interest in local brews and spirits, said Krishan Rajput of Stirchley Wines. He said: “We have a little bit of everything, but there’s been real interest in local beers – Two Towers, Glass House, Infinity. But customers are looking out for the region’s spirits, too. There’s Burning Barn Rum, from Solihull, Spirit of Birmingham vodka and whiskey.”

And price appears to be no barrier when it comes to celebrating the season. Though not local, Lost Explorer mezcal has proved extremely popular this year – despite a £135 price tag.

And those who really want to push the boat out this season should consider a bottle of Hennessy XO cognac. That’s selling for £170! You’d need a stiff drink before purchasing that.