Cocktails – A Punch From The Darkside

Combining a ready-made Cocktail with some added Sparkling Wine is not always an easy task to complete, the flavours of the Cocktail are meant to have been crafted to perfection, so if you are adding an extra ingredient it has to be carefully selected to complement the tasting experience.

Let’s meet the Sparkling Wine and the ready-made Rum Punch!

The Sparkling Wine – Valentina

When Zdravko Mastnak looks out of the Bizeljsko-Sremič hills, he says: “In this environment, I was born, here my ancestors lived; I live now and with me a new wine cellar with all the charms and with all the energy that my wine soul could comprehend”.

Zdravko Mastnak is the creator of Mastnak wines, he is an enologist and agronomy engineer, dedicating his life to crafting top-quality Slovenian Sparkling Wines, located in Zajčja Gora, above Sevnica.

Over 27 years of history sits behind Mastnak, with the capacity to produce 4,000 bottles a day and to store 300,000 bottles in their cellar, which is open to visitors to explore on guided tours.

That’s not all, you can also plan your wedding at the venue, with catering services available, but for something a little more low-key, you can look around their winery shop and buy direct for a cheaper price.

Vinska Klet Mastnak – Valentina Dry Suho – Tasting Notes

Aroma – “Smooth, almost creamy with yellow stone fruits, apricot, peach, yellow apples, a lovely display of wild yellow floral, with a touch of minerals and sherbet lemon on the aroma.”

Flavour – “A mixture of soft ripe and almost ripe peaches and apricots, yellow floral, buttercup flowers, lemon zest, lemon juice, with a low profile zesty and zingy lemon finish on the palate.”

Bronze Medal in the Zesty & Zingy category at the Glass of Bubbly Awards 2022

The Rum Punch – Darkside

Jason, the founder of Darkside Rum Punch, set up shop in February 2021, but What Inspired You To Start Darkside Rum Punch?

“We saw a market for some authentic Caribbean Rum Punch especially being from that nation, so it has worked out well! The reaction to our Rum Punch has been unbelievable and we’re looking forward to the growth!” – Jason

Are There Plans To Add More Flavours?

“Yes! Currently in the production phase at the moment and will release in 2023 and beyond!

Our last flavour Pineapple and Coconut has been well received and our best seller after releasing in April 2022 so we held back releasing another flavour this year. Nevertheless, we’re excited to release our new flavours with our brand ambassadors already giving us great feedback on a couple already.” – Jason

Do You Know Where Your Rum Punches Are Enjoyed Most, i.e. At Home, Bars, Festivals?

“Combination of all! We have customers from all over the UK and get really excited when customers from new cities make orders! It shows the power of social media! We plan to do more events and collabs in the near future, so watch out for us!” – Jason

The Cocktail

Combine 2/3 of Darkside Rum Punch with 1/3 of Sparkling Wine.

Tasting Notes – “No matter which flavour you go for, each delivers an overly smooth character, almost absorbing the fizziness and turning it into a little tingle on the tongue, all the flavours, from Grape to Pineapple & Coconut, continue to display their characteristics with a strong backing from the Sparkling Wine.”