A Bengali restaurant in Essex is hoping to counter falling demand for gin by launching its own craft drink. Stansted Mountfitchet's Bromont has launched Premium Fol Gin (RSP: £45/700ml), produced by Essex Spirits Company, Chelmsford. The name Phor is derived from the Bengali word for fruit and is distilled from the citrus jara lebu grown in Bangladesh. Commonly known as Bangladeshi lemon, it has a lime aroma and lemon flavor, said Karim Ullah, co-founder of Bromont. “Jara lebu is a stunning fruit, and it’s something my family have been growing in our homestead for a long time,” he added. “When you cut one open, the aroma fills an entire room and immediately gets you in a great mood to enjoy any meal.” Phol is available via Brohmon’s website, while the business “should be able to confirm some retailers soon”, Ullah said. Its launch comes after a damning year for big-name gin brands in grocery. Leading the decline in value sales was Gordon’s, which shed £72.8m [NIQ 52 w/e 22 April 2023], while Whitley Neill, Bombay and Tanqueray lost £33.9m between them.