COCKTAILS | DOWNTON DISTILLERY

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...

The Pegu Club opened in 1882 in Rangoon and became a social centre for British officers. Its signature cocktail, built on gin, citrus and bitters, was created to cut through...

The Aperol Sour brings Aperol’s blend of sweet and bitter orange into a clean, bright serve. Its sunset-orange colour sits under a thick, meringue-like foam. The flavour lands crisp, lightly...

This Easter serve brings chocolate and our Hazelnut Vodka together in a richer, fuller direction. Inspired by the Bushwacker, a free-form Caribbean and American classic, it leans into nut, chocolate...

The French Blonde has gathered fresh attention, rumoured to be Taylor Swift’s current favourite. It blends grapefruit, elderflower liqueur, Lillet Blanc, gin and lemon bitters into a light, floral, citrus-driven...

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...

This new serve from Ben Morley twists the Brandy Alexander by using our Hazelnut Vodka. Built for Christmas, it brings chocolate and raspberry into a rich, warming profile with a...

The Virginia Creeper is a new sour from Ben Morley, created during a visit to the distillery. If you enjoy a Bramble, this sits in the same family. It takes...

This autumn serve brings cider, fresh apple and cinnamon into a warm, seasonal smash. It needs a firm muddle and a long shake, so be ready to switch arms. The...

This serve celebrates the garden’s fennel and wild rocket. Inspired by the Rocket Gimlet, it adds fennel to bring balance and a clean anise note. Rocket gives warmth and pepper,...

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...

Summer brings the best of English fruit and local farms are full of ripe strawberries and raspberries. Pick your own or grab a punnet from the farm shop. This cocktail...

Ready to step outside your comfort zone. The Oyster Martini became the standout serve of 2023. Oysters carry a clean minerality that works brilliantly with our Chardonnay Vodka. The result...

Sour cocktails combine citrus, spirit and syrup for a clean summer serve. They adapt easily to personal taste. This version uses chili to add warmth and spice. Shake for longer...

Easter is the ideal moment to showcase the Chocolate Martini. Chocolate and alcohol have been paired since ancient Central America and the drink gained fame in 1955 when Rock Hudson...

A Raspberry Gimlet delivers sharp citrus lifted by bright, fresh berry flavour. The fruit softens the edges and gives a clean, vivid profile that suits warm evenings. It is quick...

A Gin Hot Toddy delivers warmth, citrus and spice in a clean, comforting serve. It suits cold evenings and highlights the botanicals in Explorer’s Gin. Easy to make, fast to...

The Mimosa has a split heritage. Buck’s Club in London created the Buck’s Fizz in 1921, leaning heavily on Champagne. Paris followed in 1925 when Frank Meier at the Ritz...

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.

An autumnal gin sour built on dry cider and Explorer’s Gin. Maple syrup adds warmth without sweetness, while cinnamon brings depth and balance to this crisp seasonal cocktail.

The Gin Mule blends gin, mint, lime and ginger beer for a crisp, refreshing serve. Born at New York’s Pegu Club, it remains a modern crowd-pleasing classic.

Rock Shandy is a grown up soft drink for people who choose not to drink alcohol. Sharp citrus, gentle sweetness, and a clean, refreshing finish. No alcohol, no compromise, and...

The Vesper Martini is a classic cocktail created by Ian Fleming in his 1953 novel Casino Royale. Made famous by James Bond, it combines gin and vodka with Lillet, an...

This Martini places puts great gin front and centre. Originating in the 1930s, it replaces dry vermouth with Dubonnet, a sweet, herb infused French aperitif created in 1846. Favoured by...