​A GLOUCESTERSHIRE couple has seen their range of award winning contemporary drinks snapped up by Waitrose in an exclusive deal.

Chris and Becky Verinder-Baker started selling their range of Five Valleys Cordials in Stroud Farmers’ Markets on Saturday mornings.

From March 7, Waitrose will be stocking three of their cordials – Apricot & Ginger, Lemon & Mint and Pomegranate & Rose – in their stores across the UK.

The drinks are the result of years of dedication from husband and wife team Chris and Becky. The couple started creating their own cordials from the kitchen table of their terrace house in Ebley, near Stroud a couple of years ago and they have been snapped up at Saturday farmers’ markets ever since.

They have been regularly on sale at Stroud Famers’ Market, the Cornhall Food and Drink Market in Cirencester, Swindon Famers’ Market and a number of local food festivals.

The couple have encouraged visitors to their stall in Stroud to give them feedback on their flavours, which they say has helped to create a dedicated following and keeps the brand fresh and young.

Chris, 44, says the beautiful Cotswold countryside with its bohemian values and artisan industrial roots is the inspiration for their flavours.

He said: "Becky and I both grew up in the area and, although we have travelled all over the world, we wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. The Cotswolds has the most amazing scenery and a really rich history.

"We started out making the cordials on our kitchen stove then bottling them and taking them to local farmers’ markets for customers to try. It was great to get feedback from people which has helped to develop a range of drinks which work."

The couple met at Bottlegreen where Chris worked for 14 years making drinks and working on new flavours and Becky was in sales and administration.

They left to go travelling around the world and on their return set up Five Valleys Cordials.

Chris said: "People are bored of apple and blackcurrant and are looking for new and interesting drinks. We have created some very different flavours which we are sure people will enjoy. I love putting unusual flavour combinations together and watching people do a double-take when they try them.

"For instance, our Lemon & Mint cordial took ages to get right because I wanted the mint to taste light and summery just as it would if you picked it out of your garden.

"I’ve got lots more ideas bubbling in my head of flavours I want to develop next. In the meantime, we are delighted that Waitrose will be stocking our cordials and that customers across the country will be able to try them.’

The new range of Five Valleys Cordials will launch in Waitrose stores across the UK on March 7.

They will cost £3.19 per bottle but for a limited period will be available for just £2.55 each.

•         Five Valleys Cordials will be appearing at The Stroud Farmers Market in Stroud, Gloucestershire fortnightly on Saturdays 9am-2pm.

Go to www.fivevalleyscordials.co.uk for more information