'We are absolutely delighted to have won the Christmas gold': Early festive present for Belfast innovator in spicy cordial drinks

A spiced winter cordial from Papas Minerals in Belfast has been pinpointed as perfect for the upcoming Christmas season by a panel of Ireland’s top food and drink experts.

The unique beverage, developed by Wayne Adair, the founder of Papas Minerals in1999 and then Longbridge Drinks in 2017, won gold in the category for Christmas products in the prestigious Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards (IQFDA), the premier event in Ireland that recognises excellence in food and drink products across both retail and foodservice sectors.

The coveted awards celebrate outstanding products, available to purchase on the island of Ireland, where presented at a gala occasion in Dublin last week.

Wayne Adair, commenting on the latest award for the two businesses, says: “We are absolutely delighted to have won the Christmas gold in the awards which honour outstanding taste, craftsmanship, innovation and product integrity across a wide range of categories.

“This is important recognition for us as we market our range of innovative products to retailers across the island of Ireland. The Republic, in particular, is now an immensely important market for all our beverages.

“Winning a Quality Food & Drink Award provides our brands with a trusted mark of distinction that resonates with buyers, retailers and consumers alike.”

Around 150 judges in the awards assess entries on rigorous criteria that reflect consumer expectations and retail success, spotlighting products that demonstrate exceptional quality, taste, packaging, flavour and market appeal.

Products are judged against a rigorous 10 point criteria. They undergo a 360 review considering all aspects a consumer might look for when selecting a food and drink product in store.

Based in East Belfast, Papas Minerals is an award-winning family-run business and market leader in traditional, nostalgic artisan cordials free from artificial additives.

Founded in 1999, they revive classic Irish heritage flavours like their signature 100-year-old recipe ginger wine. Sister company Longbridge Drinks specialises in tonics and mixers.

Old fashioned beverages from Papas Minerals include: Original Ginger Wine, a non-alcoholic, classic recipe that’s said to be great with whiskey or soda; Traditional Dark Clove Cordial, a gold winner in the Blas na hEireann Awards that “pairs well with hot water or rum”; the gold winning Spiced Winterberry Cordial, another Blas na hEireann gold winner that’s “Ideal for instant mulled wine”; Cloudy Lemonade, also a Blas na hEireann gold winner; and Peppermint Cordial, a Blas na hEireann bronze winner.

“I was delighted to have gained such encouraging recognition for my small business at Blas. Such endorsement of the products is tremendously important for the two companies and our drive to boost sales particularly among leading retailers in the Republic of Ireland. It will also help as we endeavour to build on some business we have in Britain,” he says.

Wayne first began making cordials in hometown of Bangor, producing flavours from the past such as elderflower, clove, and sarsaparilla in a former ice cream parlour he had taken over in the town.

Both Papas Minerals and Longbridge Drinks have flourished through a commitment to quality and innovation.

He subsequently launched the beverages, which are without artificial flavours, colours or sweeteners, at local markets such as St George’s in Belfast, where the company has since become one of the long-term stalwarts after its reopening in 1999.

Other local companies were also recognised at the colourful awards. These include: Get Er Brewed’s Our Brewery from Randalstown which cleaned up with gold in Lagers for their Pressure to Pick - Italian Pilsner, in Ales, they got silver for and two bronzes for Hang Up Your Hang Ups - Hazy India Pale Ale and Do You Wanna Funk – NEIPA and Modern Love Pale Ale. Mackle’s Natural Umber Plus from Dungannon won gold in Functional Drinks in the Health and Nutrition category. Long Meadow Farm’s Apple Cider Vinegar from Loughall was awarded gold in the Foodservice Condiments and Dressings sector of Christmas 2026 foods. Long Meadow’s Pure Apple Juice also won gold in Foodservice Soft Drinks while Papas Mineral Company’s Cloudy Lemonade Cordial got bronze in that category.

Tandragee’s White's Oats Toasted Oats, Wild Fruit Crunch gained gold and their Apple, Cranberry and Raspberry Granola silver from in the Ambient Breakfast category.

Portadown’s Davison Canners and Puds won a bronze award for Lidl Milbona Sticky Toffee Pudding in the Desserts and Puddings section, while Comber’s Mash Direct was a silver winner for Battered Potato Wedges in Meal Accompaniments. Craigavon’s Wilson’s Country’s Naked Mash won silver in the Free From category while their Mashed Potato took Bronze in Meal Accompaniments. Lidl Farrell’s Spring Greens by Gilfresh in Lurgan won silver in the Vegetables Category.