Question 1

What cocktails can I make with Downton spirits?

Accepted Answer

Downton has a large collection of cocktail recipes covering Martinis, sours, long drinks, Negroni-style serves, spritzes and seasonal cocktails. Tell me which Downton spirit you have, the flavours you enjoy, or what ingredients are in your cupboard and I can help you choose.

Question 2

Can you help me choose a cocktail?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Tell me what you fancy: dry and spirit-forward, fresh and citrusy, fruity, bitter, floral, rich, warming or refreshing. You can also tell me which Downton spirit you have and I can suggest a suitable cocktail.

Question 3

What cocktail should I make tonight?

Accepted Answer

Tell me which spirit you have and what style of drink you want. Downton recipes range from simple Gin & Tonics and refreshing long drinks to Martinis, sours, Negronis, spritzes and richer after-dinner cocktails.

Question 4

I am new to making cocktails. Where should I start?

Accepted Answer

Start with a simple serve using a spirit you already enjoy. A Gin & Tonic, Bee’s Knees or simple Martini is a good place to learn balance and dilution. Downton also has a Home Bartender’s Guide covering the fundamentals.

Question 5

Do you have easy cocktails I can make at home?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many Downton recipes are designed for home bartenders. Tell me which spirit you have and the ingredients available and I can suggest something straightforward rather than sending you shopping for a long list of ingredients.

Question 6

I only have a few ingredients. Can you suggest a cocktail?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Tell me which spirit, citrus, mixers, fruit, herbs, vermouth or liqueurs you have. I will use Downton’s cocktail knowledge to suggest the closest suitable recipe and avoid inventing a recipe that is not supported by our cocktail collection.

Question 7

Which Downton gin is best for a Martini?

Accepted Answer

Lady Martha’s Gin was developed specifically with the Martini in mind. Great Bustard Flight Strength at 57% ABV is another excellent option when you want greater strength and structure. Tell me how dry and powerful you like your Martini and I can help you choose.

Question 8

How do I make a Lady Martha Martini?

Accepted Answer

Downton’s Martha Martini uses Lady Martha’s Gin with a signature vermouth blend and orange bitters. For the full quantities, method and serving advice, use the Martha Martini recipe in Downton’s cocktail collection.

Question 9

Do you have a stronger Martini?

Accepted Answer

Great Bustard Flight Strength is a strong choice for a more powerful Martini. At 57% ABV it retains structure and botanical character through chilling and dilution, and it won the Martini category at the 2025 Gin Guide Awards.

Question 10

Do you have unusual Martini recipes?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Downton’s Martini collection includes serves such as the Martha Martini, Strawberry Martini, Umami Martini and Insomniac Martini. Tell me whether you want something classic, fruity, savoury or coffee-led and I can point you towards the right recipe.

Question 11

What is the Strawberry Martini?

Accepted Answer

The Strawberry Martini is a summer cocktail made with Downton Chardonnay Vodka, fresh strawberries, lemon juice and sugar syrup. It combines ripe strawberry fruit with a crisp, dry vodka base.

Question 12

What is the Umami Martini?

Accepted Answer

The Umami Martini explores fat washing to give a classic Martini additional texture and subtle savoury depth while keeping the drink clear and crisp. It is a good choice for someone interested in more experimental Martini techniques.

Question 13

What cocktails can I make with Great Bustard Gin?

Accepted Answer

Great Bustard Gin works across herbaceous, citrus-led and classic-style cocktails. Downton recipes include Romeo and Juliet, the Bright Orchard Gin & Tonic and other seasonal serves. Tell me whether you want something refreshing, sour, bitter or spirit-forward and I can narrow it down.

Question 14

What is the Romeo and Juliet cocktail?

Accepted Answer

Romeo and Juliet is a refreshing Great Bustard Gin sour with lime, cucumber and mint, balanced with rose water, bitters and a subtle touch of salt. It is crisp, aromatic and fresh.

Question 15

Do you have a Great Bustard Gin & Tonic recipe?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Bright Orchard Gin & Tonic combines gin with fresh apple, lemon and a light tonic for a crisp orchard-led serve. Downton’s cocktail collection contains the full recipe.

Question 16

What can I make with Great Bustard Autumnal Gin?

Accepted Answer

Try Summer Cup No.1. It uses Great Bustard Autumnal Gin and builds on its apple, quince and warming spice character for a fresh British summer serve.

Question 17

What can I make with Great Bustard Flight Strength?

Accepted Answer

For a spirit-forward serve, use Great Bustard Flight Strength in a Martini. For something richer and bittersweet, Downton’s Fireside Negroni combines it with Campari, sweet vermouth, Earl Grey tea and additional seasonal flavour.

Question 18

Do you have a Negroni recipe?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Downton has several Negroni-style recipes, including the Fireside Negroni and Heat Wave Negroni. Tell me whether you want something warming and autumnal or brighter and more refreshing and I can suggest the better fit.

Question 19

What is the Fireside Negroni?

Accepted Answer

The Fireside Negroni is Downton’s autumnal take on the classic, built around Great Bustard Flight Strength Gin, Campari, sweet vermouth and Earl Grey tea. It is a richer choice for cooler evenings.

Question 20

What can I make with Nocino?

Accepted Answer

Nocino works particularly well in rich, structured cocktails. Try the Walnut Manhattan for a darker, drier take on the classic, or use Nocino to bring walnut depth to coffee-led and after-dinner drinks.

Question 21

What is the Walnut Manhattan?

Accepted Answer

The Walnut Manhattan uses Nocino to bring walnut tannin, spice and a drier edge to the Manhattan style. It is rich and structured without relying on excessive sweetness.

Question 22

What cocktails can I make with Hazelnut Vodka?

Accepted Answer

Hazelnut Vodka works particularly well in rich and after-dinner cocktails. Downton recipes include the Insomniac Martini, Bushwacker and Hazelnut Alexander, with flavours ranging from coffee to chocolate, nuts and raspberry.

Question 23

What is the Insomniac Martini?

Accepted Answer

The Insomniac Martini takes the coffee-led idea of an Espresso Martini in a richer direction, adding creamy texture and nutty depth from Downton Hazelnut Vodka or Nocino.

Question 24

Do you have an Espresso Martini?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Downton produces a ready-to-drink Hazelnut Espresso Martini and also publishes coffee-led cocktail inspiration. The ready-to-drink version is made to order and should be refrigerated and enjoyed within the stated period after delivery.

Question 25

Do you sell ready-to-drink cocktails?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Downton makes selected cocktails in 700ml refill pouches. They are made to order rather than held permanently in stock. Check the current cocktail product page for available serves, storage instructions and serving guidance.

Question 26

How many drinks are in a Downton ready-to-drink cocktail pouch?

Accepted Answer

A 700ml ready-to-drink cocktail pouch can provide around ten 70ml servings or seven 100ml servings before any additional dilution from ice. Follow the serving guidance on the individual cocktail.

Question 27

What can I make with Eau de Vie de Cidre?

Accepted Answer

Try Jardin Éphémère for a fresh orchard-led serve. It combines Downton Eau de Vie de Cidre with elderflower, apple and Champagne for an aromatic spritz-style cocktail.

Question 28

What is Jardin Éphémère?

Accepted Answer

Jardin Éphémère is an orchard-inspired cocktail combining elderflower, apple, Downton Eau de Vie de Cidre and Champagne. It is fresh, aromatic and suited to an aperitif or celebratory serve.

Question 29

What can I make with Marc de Downton?

Accepted Answer

Downton’s Pear and Cardamom Sidecar uses Marc de Downton with pear, cardamom and sweet orange flavours. It is a good choice if you want a fruit-led brandy-style cocktail with gentle spice.

Question 30

Do you have seasonal cocktail recipes?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Downton publishes cocktails throughout the year, from bright summer Martinis and cups to apple, pear, walnut, tea and spice-led autumn and winter serves. Tell me the season or flavours you want and I can suggest something suitable.

Question 31

What cocktail should I make in summer?

Accepted Answer

For summer, consider a Strawberry Martini, Summer Cup No.1, Jasmine Sour or a fresh Great Bustard serve such as Romeo and Juliet. Tell me whether you want fruity, floral, citrusy or long and refreshing and I can narrow it down.

Question 32

What cocktail should I make in autumn or winter?

Accepted Answer

Look towards richer orchard, spice and nut flavours. The Fireside Negroni, Walnut Manhattan, Pear and Cardamom Sidecar and Hazelnut Alexander are strong options depending on whether you prefer bitter, spirit-forward, fruity or indulgent drinks.

Question 33

Do you have gin sour recipes?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Downton’s cocktail collection includes several sour-style drinks, including Romeo and Juliet, Jasmine Sour, Green Wing Sour and Bee’s Knees. Tell me whether you prefer herbal, floral, citrus or honey-led flavours and I can suggest one.

Question 34

What is a good cocktail for a dinner party?

Accepted Answer

For an aperitif, consider Jardin Éphémère or a Martini. For something easy to serve to several guests, a Gin Sour, Basil Smash or Summer Cup. You can also purchase one of Downton’s ready-to-drink cocktails can reduce preparation. For after dinner, consider a Walnut Manhattan or Hazelnut Vodka cocktail.

Question 35

Where can I find the full Downton cocktail recipes?

Accepted Answer

The full recipes are in the Cocktail Recipes section of the Downton Distillery website. Ask me what spirit, flavour or style you want and I can help you choose which recipe to open.

Question 36

How can I get new Downton cocktail recipes?

Accepted Answer

Join Dispatches from the Downs. The monthly newsletter regularly includes Cocktail of the Month, seasonal serves and new drinks ideas, alongside subscriber offers, new releases and stories from the distillery.

Question 37

I normally drink whisky, Cognac or Armagnac after dinner. What should I try?

Accepted Answer

I'd start with Nocino. Made from young green walnuts with maple and spices, it has a rich, dark character, gentle bitterness and warming spice that makes it particularly good for slow sipping after dinner.If you enjoy exploring traditional European grape spirits, Marc de Downton would be my alternative. It is distilled from Chardonnay grape pomace from Domaine Hugo, following the European tradition that gives us Marc in France and Grappa in Italy.

Question 38

What makes Downton Distillery sustainable?

Accepted Answer

Sustainability at Downton is about leaving more than we take. We measure our impact and then look for practical ways to reduce it. Our Bottle for Life refill programme has already avoided more than 11,000 new bottles and saved 7.7 tonnes of glass, with 94% of refill pouches returned for reuse.We use 100% renewable electricity, have reduced Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 83%, and turn surplus fruit, grape pomace and wine lees into new spirits rather than waste. Spent botanicals return to the land as compost.But for us sustainability is also about the landscape around us. We restore native juniper, support the recovery of the Great Bustard and create habitat for wildlife around the distillery.Our approach is simple: make exceptional spirits, waste less, restore more, and leave the landscape in better condition than we found it.

Question 39

What is Bottle for Life?

Accepted Answer

Bottle for Life is our way of challenging the idea that a beautiful spirit bottle should be used once and thrown away. Buy the bottle once, then keep it and refill it.Our lightweight refill pouches use around 90% less packaging than a new bottle. When empty, send the pouch back to us free of charge. We inspect, clean and reuse it wherever possible before eventually recycling it.It saves glass, reduces transport emissions and saves you money too. So far, our customers have helped us avoid more than 11,000 new bottles and 7.7 tonnes of glass, with 94% of refill pouches returned.One bottle. Refilled again and again. Less waste, better value.

Question 40

Why are refill pouches better than another glass bottle?

Accepted Answer

Glass is brilliant for presenting and storing spirits, but it is heavy and energy-intensive to manufacture and transport. Once you already have a beautiful Downton bottle, we don’t see the point in making you buy another one.Our lightweight refill pouches use around 90% less packaging than a new bottle, dramatically reducing the amount of glass we need and the weight being transported. When empty, simply return the pouch to us free of charge so we can reuse it.The result is less glass, less waste, lower transport impact and a saving for you. So far, refilling has helped us avoid more than 11,000 new bottles and 7.7 tonnes of glass.Keep the bottle. Refill the spirit.

Question 41

Can refill pouches be returned?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Downton operates a return scheme for refill pouches. Follow the current return instructions supplied with your order or shown on the website.

Question 42

What happens to returned refill pouches?

Accepted Answer

Returned pouches are collected through Downton’s return scheme so they can be handled as part of the refill programme rather than simply becoming household waste.

Question 43

How many bottles has Downton avoided through refills?

Accepted Answer

By June 2026, Downton’s refill system had helped avoid more than 11,000 additional glass bottles.

Question 44

How much glass has the refill scheme saved?

Accepted Answer

By June 2026, the refill system had saved approximately 7.7 tonnes of glass.

Question 45

How many customers return their refill pouches?

Accepted Answer

Downton has achieved a refill pouch return rate of around 94%.

Question 46

What percentage of Downton sales are refills?

Accepted Answer

By June 2026, more than 80% of Downton sales were refills.

Question 47

What is the most sustainable way to buy Downton spirits?

Accepted Answer

If you already own one of our bottles, choose a refill where available. Reusing the bottle you already have reduces the need for another heavy glass bottle and is generally cheaper as well.

Question 48

Does Downton use renewable electricity?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Downton Distillery has used 100% renewable electricity since 2021.

Question 49

Does Downton measure its carbon footprint?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Downton tracks its emissions and removals. In 2024 it recorded approximately 19.7 tonnes CO2e of emissions and 24 tonnes CO2e of removals. It is tracked through Green Project and Small Green Business.

Question 50

How much has Downton reduced Scope 1 and 2 emissions?

Accepted Answer

Downton has reduced its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by approximately 83% from its 2021 baseline.

Question 51

What does circular production mean at Downton?

Accepted Answer

Circular production means finding useful raw materials that might otherwise be wasted and turning them into high-quality spirits. Examples include surplus cider, wine lees, grape pomace and surplus local fruit.

Question 52

How do Orchard Spirits reduce waste?

Accepted Answer

Many Orchard Spirits use surplus or secondary agricultural materials such as cider, grape pomace, wine lees and seasonal fruit. This gives those materials another valuable use rather than treating them simply as waste.

Question 53

Does Downton use recycled glass?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Downton uses recycled glass across parts of the range. The percentage varies by bottle, so check the individual product information for the most accurate figure.

Question 54

Where does the distillery’s water come from?

Accepted Answer

Downton Distillery uses water from its own spring well at the distillery site.

Question 55

What happens to spent botanicals?

Accepted Answer

Downton aims to keep useful materials in circulation wherever possible. Spent botanicals and other production materials are handled with waste reduction and reuse in mind.

Question 56

What conservation work does Downton Distillery support?

Accepted Answer

Downton supports Great Bustard conservation, juniper rewilding and wider wildlife and biodiversity work around the distillery and the Wiltshire Downs.

Question 57

What is a Great Bustard?

Accepted Answer

The Great Bustard is one of the world's heaviest flying birds and one of the most extraordinary birds found on the Wiltshire Downs. Males can stand around a metre tall with a wingspan of more than two metres.Great Bustards were once native to Britain but disappeared in the nineteenth century, with the last recorded British bird shot in 1832. Thanks to the work of the Great Bustard Group, they have now been successfully reintroduced and are breeding in Britain again.They are impressive birds to see: large, powerful and unmistakable in flight. Their return to the Wiltshire landscape is one of Britain's remarkable conservation stories and the inspiration behind our Great Bustard Gin.

Question 58

Are Great Bustards native to Britain?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Great Bustards are native to Britain. They disappeared from the country in the nineteenth century and have since been reintroduced through a long-term conservation programme.

Question 59

Why did Great Bustards disappear from Britain?

Accepted Answer

Great Bustards were once a familiar sight across the open downs and grasslands of southern and eastern England. Sadly, hunting, egg collecting and changes in farming drove the population into a rapid decline. The bird was considered a delicacy, and the last recorded British Great Bustard was shot and eaten in 1832. Today, thanks to the Great Bustard Group, they are breeding in Britain once again.

Question 60

Who is the Great Bustard Group?

Accepted Answer

The Great Bustard Group is the conservation organisation responsible for restoring Great Bustards to Britain and supporting their long-term recovery.

Question 61

How is Downton Distillery helping Great Bustards?

Accepted Answer

Downton supports the Great Bustard Group through a monthly contribution connected with Great Bustard Gin and by helping raise awareness of the species and its recovery.

Question 62

Does buying Great Bustard Gin support conservation?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every bottle of Great Bustard Gin sold contributes directly to the Great Bustard Group, helping support the continued recovery of this remarkable bird on the Wiltshire Downs.The gin was created in partnership with the Great Bustard Group, and its connection goes beyond the name on the bottle. Botanicals including lucerne, red clover, wild rocket and yarrow were chosen to reflect plants associated with the landscape and the bird's natural foraging.So when you buy Great Bustard Gin, you are genuinely helping fund the conservation project it celebrates.

Question 63

Why did Downton create Great Bustard Gin?

Accepted Answer

Great Bustard Gin was created to celebrate the Wiltshire landscape and support the recovery of the Great Bustard. Its botanical story is closely linked to plants associated with the bird’s habitat and diet.

Question 64

Are the botanicals in Great Bustard Gin connected to the bird?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Great Bustard Gin includes botanicals inspired by plants associated with the bird’s habitat and diet, including wild rocket, lucerne, red clover and yarrow.

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