FRUIT BRANDY
ENGLISH EAU DE VIE & FRUIT BRANDY
Eau de vie captures the character of fruit in its purest form. No barrels. No heavy sweetness. Just fruit, fermentation and careful distillation.
WHAT IS EAU DE VIE?
Eau de vie means “water of life”.
It belongs to the brandy family, although it tastes quite different from the darker, oak-aged brandies most people know. Without a barrel adding vanilla, spice or caramel, you experience the fruit more directly. It is a clear, unaged spirit distilled from fermented fruit.
We began making these spirits after seeing how much flavour remained in materials routinely overlooked after pressing and winemaking. Surplus cider, grape lees and fresh pomace still have plenty to give.
Working with nearby cider makers, vineyards and winemakers, we distil these ingredients while their aromas remain fresh. The amount available changes with every harvest, so each release is genuinely limited and may consist of as few as 40 bottles.
The result is a collection of distinctive English spirits that captures the character of our local orchards, vineyards and individual harvests.
Discover our Orchard Spirits Range
THE FRUIT
LOCAL PROVENANCE
The fruit, growing conditions and timing of the harvest all influence the finished spirit.
THE TRANSFORMATION
FERMENTATION
Natural fermentation converts the fruit’s sugars into alcohol while developing new floral, vinous and fruit-led aromas.
PURIFICATION
DISTILLATION
Distillation captures the clean, aromatic heart of the spirit, preserving the character created by the fruit and fermentation.
A EUROPEAN TRADITION, DISTILLED IN ENGLAND
Across Europe, growers and distillers have turned their harvests into fruit spirits for generations. The French call them eaux de vie; in Germany and Austria they are known as Obstbrand, in Hungary as pálinka and across the Balkans as rakija.
The names, fruits and methods vary, but the principle remains the same: ferment the harvest, distil it carefully and capture the character of the fruit.
Distillation gave growers a way to preserve the aromas of ripe summer and autumn fruit long after the harvest had ended. Pears, plums, cherries, quinces, raspberries and apples each developed their own regional traditions.
Grape pomace has a tradition of its own. The skins, seeds and juice remaining after pressing become marc in France, grappa in Italy, orujo in Spain and bagaceira in Portugal.
England has its own distinctive orchards, vineyards and fruit varieties. We apply this European tradition to ingredients grown around the Wiltshire Downs and Cranborne Chase, creating English eaux de vie that reflect our fruit, our producers and our landscape.
HOW TO ENJOY YOUR EAU DE VIE.
Start by tasting it neat at cool room temperature. A tulip-shaped glass helps concentrate the fruit aromas. A little chilling creates a crisper serve, although too much will suppress its aroma. With food, apple eau de vie pairs well with mature cheese, pork and apple desserts.
Grape eau de vie works particularly well with charcuterie, coffee and fruit-based puddings.
Eau de vie also brings genuine fruit character to cocktails without the sweetness of a liqueur. Try it with Champagne, vermouth, sherry, citrus or herbal liqueurs.
I would avoid tonic. Its quinine can overpower the more delicate fruit notes.
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.
The Angel Face | Brandy Cocktail
Elegant and warming, the Angel Face is the perfect autumn cocktail. With crisp apple from Calvados, soft apricot sweetness, and the dry balance of gin, it captures the flavour of...
Walnut Manhattan | Nocino Cocktail
A darker take on the Manhattan. Walnut liqueur adds tannin, spice, and a dry edge that cuts sweetness. Richer, more structured, and longer on the palate, it pushes the classic...
Bustard Cobbler | Gin Cocktail
The Bustard Cobbler is a rich, fruit-forward cocktail from Downton Distillery, combining seasonal ingredients with Great Bustard Gin for a refreshing twist on a classic cobbler bright, bold, and beautifully...
Smoke on the Solera | Brandy Cocktail
Inspired by Aidan Rivett’s Tree Snake cocktail, Hugh has created a new twist blending mezcal, Eau de Vie de Cidre, and manzanilla sherry. The result combines smoke, orchard brightness, and...
Dark As Night | Brandy Cocktail
The Dark as Night is a rich nightcap built on cognac, Cocchi Barolo Chinato and Nocino. It sits smooth in the glass with herbal depth, clean walnut warmth and a...
