Quebec’s Sweet Clover: A Wild Plant with Unexpected Virtues

Sweet clover, or Melilotus, is a wild plant with surprising botanical and therapeutic properties, albeit still unknown, even though it is well established in the Quebec landscape. Typically found along roadsides, you can recognize sweet clover by its small yellow or white flowers and its scent reminiscent of vanilla.

Long recognized in traditional medicine, sweet clover offers numerous therapeutic benefits such as anti-inflammatory, soothing, and digestive properties. In phytotherapy, it is used to relieve digestive disorders, reduce inflammation, and improve blood circulation.

Beyond its health benefits, sweet clover is also distinguished by its unique aromatic profile. Its flowers emit a soft and slightly sweet fragrance, evoking boreal vanilla and gingerbread. This olfactory character comes from coumarin, a natural compound found in the leaves and flowers of sweet clover.

At Harrington, we tap into the richness of local flavors and have chosen to celebrate this plant by integrating it into our range of tonic cocktails to offer you a sensory escape across Quebec. This is how our non-alcoholic tonic cocktail made from apples, sweet clover, and gentian was born.

Available in a can format, you will find the roundness of boreal vanilla, the floral and spicy nuances of sweet clover, and the fruity side of the apple. In the end, sweet-bitter notes from the gentian root will awaken your senses. Sparkling as desired, it renews the tasting experience with understated elegance, far from overly sweet cocktails. With only 10 calories per can and no added sugar, it is the ideal beverage for those looking for a lighter and healthier alternative to other ready-to-drink cocktails, which typically contain between 50 and 120 calories per can.

This versatile cocktail is perfect for your gatherings with friends or to finish a meal on a light note. It is also well-suited to the addition of spirits for those who like to enhance their drinks. Ready-to-drink, it can be enjoyed anywhere you go. Whether on a beautiful autumn afternoon at the top of a mountain, or while drinking in the spa at the cabin, it promises a refreshing and uplifting break!

With our reinvented cocktail, subtly mixing the flavors of apple and sweet clover, we highlight the natural treasures of Quebec. The use of this wild plant celebrates the richness of our terroir and brings an innovative touch to the art of cocktail-making, where the freshness of wild plants combines with the purity of our beverages.

At HARRINGTON, our passion is to pay tribute to the lesser-known wonders of our local nature and to reflect the authenticity of Quebec culture. Our range of tonic cocktails demonstrates our expertise and our commitment to using local ingredients from our beautiful province.