The story behind Tempus Fugit

The name Tempus Fugit comes from the Latin phrase meaning "time flies", attributed to the Roman poet Virgil. It's a fitting name for a company dedicated to bringing the flavours of the past back to life, guided by the philosophy that life is too short to drink anything but the best.

Founded in 2007, Tempus Fugit Spirits specialises in reviving spirits and liqueurs that were once essential to classic cocktails but have since become difficult to find or disappeared altogether. Its portfolio draws inspiration from the 19th and early 20th centuries, when liqueurs, aperitifs, amari, vermouths, and aromatic bitters were produced with close attention to their botanical ingredients, flavour, and texture.

Rather than simply adapting these historic styles to modern tastes, Tempus Fugit seeks to recreate them as faithfully as possible, using original recipes, traditional techniques, and extensive historical research.

Rediscovering forgotten flavours

During the golden age of cocktails, liqueurs were much more than ingredients used to sweeten or modify a drink. Many were originally created to be enjoyed neat, or lengthened with seltzer as an aperitif or digestif. Often made with elaborate combinations of herbs, spices, roots and other botanicals, they were complex spirits in their own right.

Tempus Fugit aims to recapture this depth of flavour, producing liqueurs that are equally at home in a classic cocktail or enjoyed on their own.

The company's research begins with historic recipes and production manuals, sometimes written in several languages. These are studied alongside information about regional ingredients, traditional distillation methods and the origins of individual liqueur styles.

Where possible, experimental batches are compared with surviving bottles from the period, providing a rare opportunity to assess how closely a recreation resembles its historical counterpart.

Taking time to get it right

True to its name, Tempus Fugit takes a considered approach to developing new products. An expression can take several years to reach the market, with extensive research, experimentation and tasting preceding its release.

Each prospective addition to the range is assessed not only for historical authenticity but also for its flavour, complexity, texture and versatility. The company tests its liqueurs both on their own and in cocktails, comparing them with other available brands to determine whether they make a meaningful difference to the finished drink.

This emphasis on cocktail performance is central to the Tempus Fugit philosophy. A liqueur should contribute more than sweetness or a particular flavour; it should bring balance, depth and character to the drink.

Made for the cocktail enthusiast

The range is particularly relevant to bartenders seeking to recreate drinks such as the Brandy Alexander, Pink Squirrel and other classics whose character depends heavily on the quality and style of their liqueurs.

For Tempus Fugit, authenticity is not simply about reproducing an old recipe. It's about understanding why an ingredient was valued in the first place and ensuring that it remains relevant behind today's bars.

By combining historical research with a commitment to traditional production methods, Tempus Fugit Spirits continues to champion the often-overlooked art of liqueur making, demonstrating how ingredients from the past can bring fresh depth and complexity to modern cocktails.