From the Distillery
COCKTAILS
Stories, recipes, and reflections from our corner of Wiltshire exploring the craft, the landscape and the flavours that shape our spirits.
FROM THE DISTILLERY BAR
Each month, we create a new cocktail inspired by the season, the landscape and the spirits we make at Downton Distillery.
Some recipes revisit established classics. Others explore fresh ingredients, unusual flavour combinations and new ways to serve gin, vodka, liqueurs and eaux de vie. Every recipe includes clear measurements, practical techniques and guidance to help you make it confidently at home.
From crisp Martinis and refreshing summer serves to warming nightcaps and orchard-led cocktails, this is where we share what we are mixing behind the distillery bar.
COCKTAIL OF THE MONTH
Autumnal Martinez | Classic | Gin Cocktail
A rich, autumnal riff on the Martinez, combining Great Bustard Autumnal Gin, sweet vermouth, Downton Crème de Cassis and orange bitters. Dark fruit, orchard spice and bittersweet citrus.
Jardin éphémère | Spritz | Brandy Cocktail
Jardin Éphémère cocktail with elderflower, apple, Downton Eau de Vie de Cidre and Champagne. A fresh, aromatic orchard-inspired serve.
COCKTAILS | DOWNTON DISTILLERY
Fireside Negroni | Gin Cocktail
The Fireside Negroni is Downton Distillery’s autumnal twist on the Italian classic a harmonious blend of Great Bustard Flight Strength Gin, Campari, sweet vermouth, Earl Grey tea, and a hint...
Heat Wave Negroni | Gin Cocktail
Heatwave Negroni delivers a sharp, lifted profile built for warmer days. You taste bright citrus, crisp bitterness and a clean herbal edge that cuts through the heat. The balance stays...
Enzoni | Negroni | Gin Cocktail
The Enzoni is a modern take on the Negroni, built on Campari’s bitterness, fresh grapes and the herbal profile of Great Bustard Gin. Created in 2001 by Vincenzo Errico at...
Bicycle Thief | Sour Style | Gin Cocktail
The Bicycle Thief began at Dutch Kills in New York, created by Zachary Gelnaw-Rubin and Abraham Hawkins. It mixes gin and Campari with grapefruit, lemon and simple syrup, then tops...
Negroni Sour | Gin Cocktail
The Negroni was born in 1919 at Caffe Casoni in Florence when Count Camillo Negroni asked bartender Forsco Scarselli to strengthen his Americano by swapping soda for gin. The orange...
Angelo Azzurro | Short Style | Gin Cocktail
This drink was created at Dante, the 104-year-old Italian restaurant in Greenwich Village. It draws on two Italian staples: the Negroni and the Angelo Azzurro. The recipe uses three white...
Chocolate Negroni | Gin Cocktail
A refined twist on the classic Negroni. Gin, Campari and Vermouth di Torino are lifted with bitters and chocolate liqueur, creating a subtle, confectionery-led cocktail with depth and balance.
Petruchio Cocktail | Gin Cocktail
Inspired by our love of the Campari Sour, this cocktail swaps in Aperol for a lighter summer edge. Created in 2010 by Jamie Boudreau in Seattle, it suits Negroni drinkers...
Bitter French | Long Style | Gin Cocktail
The Bitter French 75 blends the structure of a Negroni with the lift of a French 75. Created by Philip Ward in New York, it puts Campari centre stage, softened...
The Sunset Negroni | Gin Cocktail
This Negroni softens the classic bitterness and brings our citrus profile to the front. Explorer’s Gin sets the structure, ruby grapefruit liqueur adds lift and colour, and dry vermouth brings...
The Notorious Negroni | Gin Cocktail
How many of you know that this week (24th - 30th June) is Negroni Week? For those that do not know the Negroni, it is to this decade what the...
