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Friday the 13th may be unlucky to some, but we think it’s definitely an occasion to celebrate, as this year it falls on World Cocktail Day on Friday 13 May 2022.
World Cocktail Day is a global celebration of the ever-popular alcoholic – and non-alcoholic – mixes and is said to mark the publication date of the first definition of a cocktail on May 13 in 1806. The story goes that on that day the editor of the New York tabloid The Balance and Columbian Repository defined a cocktail as “a stimulating liquor, composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water and bitters” in response to a reader’s inquiry.
Whether you are raising a glass in a bid to toast to good luck, or simply ushering in the weekend with your favourite spirited concoction, we’ve got some ideas for new cocktails that are guaranteed to shake things up.
Mix it up with mead
Our award-winning meads are fermented, blended and aged here at the Winery using our secret blends of honey to create the rich, floral characteristics for which they are famed, and make a surprisingly modern addition to some classic cocktail favourites.
A generous two-thirds mix of our medium sweet, light Lyme Bay Garden Mead with one-third sparkling water and a squish of fresh lime juice makes a delicious Meadjito, served over ice with a sprig of mint in your favourite hi-ball glass.
For something with a little more of a kick, why not conjure up a Fire & Ice by pouring Lyme Bay Chilli Mead with a lavish splash of our famous Lugger Spiced Rum over ice in a tumbler, and garnish with a whole chilli if you dare. Chilli Mead has the perfect balance of sweet honey with the spicy kick of chillies, while our Lugger Rum is aged to perfection in bourbon-charred oak barrels right here in our Devon winery before being spiced with a blend of nutmeg, cloves, orange peel and a hint of vanilla, to leave your tongue tingling with delight.
Something fruity
When it comes to our Fruit Wines our aim is always to source the best British fruits, and we constantly strive to improve the depth and enhance the taste of each delicious variety.
Fans of summery gin-based cocktails are in for a treat with a new take on a classic Strawberry Summer Cup. Swirl some limited edition Lyme Bay Strawberry Wine with your favourite lemonade, a dash of gin, some fresh mint leaves, orange and cucumber slices over ice in a tall glass for some delicious summery supping. Or cut out the lemonade entirely and go straight for the fizz by using our Strawberry Sparkling Fruit Wine, made from hand-picked Herefordshire strawberries in the traditional method with secondary fermentation in the bottle.
After dark, why not mix things up with a new twist on a Kir Royale. Combine one part Lyme Bay Blackcurrant Wine with two parts of your favourite Lyme Bay English Sparkling Wine and serve in elegant champagne flutes for a berry-bursting take on a juicy classic.
New ways with gin
Sometimes only a gin and tonic will do, and our award-winning selection of botanical blends has something for every palate.
Our fresh and invigorating Lyme Bay Dry Gin has all the traditional botanical flavours of juniper, floral and citrus notes alongside intoxicating aromas of verbena and the freshness of orange peel, lemon and lime. Enjoy this most uplifting of gins with a fine tonic water and a slice of lemon or a curl of orange peel or bring out its smooth elegance in a dry martini.
If you are looking for something with a bit of a twist, Lyme Bay Orange and Thyme Gin adds a zingy update to cocktail hour, and the spicy, earthy notes of our Lyme Bay Winter Gin layer black pepper and nutmeg over elderberries, blackberries and a hint of burnt orange – both best served in a tall glass with your premium tonic of choice.
Order drinks online for delivery
If you’re ready to mix up a mouth-watering masterpiece then we’d love to see you at the Winery shop here in Shute, in Devon, if you want to stock up, or get in touch with our friendly team here at the Winery via email at [email protected] or by calling us on 01297 551355 if you’d like to order by phone. We aim to despatch all orders received before 2 pm the next working day – with free delivery for orders over £45.
In the meantime do stay in touch with us via our Instagram, Facebook and Twitter pages, and show us your carefully curated cocktail creations.
