Cheshire, England — August 20, 2025 (Agencies): In a bold move that’s turning heads in the culinary world, La Popote, a Michelin Guide-listed French-style restaurant in Cheshire, has become the first in the UK to launch a dedicated water menu, offering diners a curated selection of premium bottled waters from across Europe.
Starting Friday, guests at La Popote will be able to choose from three still and four sparkling varieties, alongside complimentary tap water. The initiative is designed to cater to the growing number of health-conscious and alcohol-free diners, tapping into a global trend away from alcoholic beverages.
The concept was developed in collaboration with Doran Binder, a certified water sommelier and founder of Crag Spring Water, who already supplies the restaurant’s house water. Binder curated the menu after inviting La Popote’s founders, Chef Joseph Rawlins and Gaëlle Radigon, to a tasting at his “water bar” in the Peak District.
“It was mind-blowing,” said Rawlins. “Water isn’t just water. When paired with food—like cheese, chocolate, or Parma ham—the taste transforms, just like wine.”
The menu features selections from Britain, France, Spain, Portugal, and Italy, with prices ranging from £5 to £19. Among the offerings are Lauretana sparkling mineral water from Italy (14 TDS) and Vichy Celestins from France (3,300 TDS), showcasing the wide spectrum of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) that influence flavor and mouthfeel.
“Distilled water has zero TDS—great for cleaning, terrible for drinking,” Binder explained. “The mineral content is what gives water its character.”
Rawlins recommends serving water at room temperature, with ice and a slice of lemon, noting that overly chilled water can mute its flavor profile.
The launch comes amid shifting consumer habits. A recent Gallup poll revealed that only 58% of adult Americans now drink alcohol, down from 67% in 2022, with sober bars and non-alcoholic menus gaining popularity worldwide.
“This is about giving diners another dimension,” said Rawlins. “A lot of people are drinking less now, and we want to offer them something equally refined.”
Binder, who has never consumed alcohol, sees the water menu as a game-changer. “Restaurants always hand me a wine list I’ll never use. But a water menu? That’s an epicurean experience—and a new revenue stream.”
La Popote’s water menu is one of only a handful globally, positioning the restaurant at the forefront of a new wave in luxury hydration and non-alcoholic fine dining.