Our Philosophy

Our Philosophy
We like philosophy. Thorncroft founder Guy Woodall is a Doctor of Philosophy and sometimes teaches evening classes to keep his hand in. We asked him to describe the philosophy of Thorncroft, and this what he said.

Plato was right.
Buddha too. The world we live in is just an illusion. Especially when it comes to food and drink. Nothing is what it seems. In an ideal world you would make everything yourself. Even Thorncroft cordials - you can find the recipes for most of them right here on the site. If you think you can improve on them please let us know how. The recipes we use are always the best ones we know.

Aristotle was cool
There is a place for everything in moderation. Do your bit, know what you do best, contribute where you can, and take part in the community. Recognise other people’s skills too. When you haven’t got time to make your own cordials and soft drinks, trust the job to a specialist – but only if you are sure they aren’t the sort who just want to part you from your money while giving as little back as they can get away with (that’s most soft drinks companys these days). They should live, breathe, and dream perfect, natural, delicious, healing drinks. They should be afflicted with a passion, a little mad even. Like Thorncroft.

Kant was a bore
All that self-denial, doing your duty and controlling your passions. At Thorncroft we fully indulge our passions for fantastic natural drinks - and make money doing it (sometimes). Ain’t life grand?

Hobbes was wrong
Life in a natural state is not nasty, brutish and short. That’s next door’s dog. Nature is good. Use it in its natural state as much as you can. Avoid anything artificial. If it hasn’t been around in nature for a few hundred thousand years, your body may not know how to deal with it. Leave well alone.

Descartes may have been a good mathematician
But his philosophy implies that you can discover the truth sitting in a room on your own, without ever talking to anyone else. At Thorncroft we value the past and love to learn from our predecessors, and try to add to and improve on the great store of knowledge they pass on to us. I drink therefore I am.

Sartre was wrong
Black turtlenecks will never come back into fashion. Never mind about existential anguish, enjoy life and its pleasures to the full while you can.

Berkeley was right
To be is to be perceived. That’s why we make our flavours so distinctive, otherwise you won’t notice us and we won’t exist.

Marx had some funny ideas
But he was right about the value of labour If it seems like a lot of work, do it anyway. It’s worth it. It may be easier to chuck in whole elderflower heads than it is to separate out the petals and reject the stalks. But it will never taste as good, or do you as much good. (The stalks of elder may actually be toxic – that’s probably why we don’t like their flavour). Don’t always choose the easiest or cheapest option, you may be short-changing yourself.

Hegel is best
The Idea needs to realise itself. It’s not optional. Make it happen.