Distilled: Tasting the new English Heritage gin range

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Drunken Crane cocktail

English Heritage gins

Wiltshire Distilling Co has partnered with English Heritage to create a collection of gins inspired by historic estates, each distilled with a mix of botanicals intended to capture the sites’ character.

Blackberry & Rosehip (Alc 40%) is inspired by Audley End House in Essex, with its parkland designed by Capability Brown. English hedgerow botanicals including sloe, rosehip and elderflower give a fruity, brambly taste that’s well suited to a Negroni.

Wrest Park in Bedfordshire inspired a zesty Pomelo & Grapefruit (Alc 40%). My favourite of the trio, it makes a refreshing G&T garnished with a slice of pink grapefruit and is great in a Bee’s Knees.

Finally London Dry (Alc 40%) is a classic juniper-forward style that celebrates Osborne, Queen Victoria’s seaside retreat on the Isle of Wight.

‘English Heritage exists to share stories of England’s history, and developing products that represent those stories with partners who are experts in their field is a brilliant way to do so,’ said Alexandra Bovey of English Heritage.

‘It’s wonderful to see how Wiltshire Distilling Co has taken those stories and executed them through careful botanical selection.’

All £40/70cl at English Heritage retail stores.

Drink dictionary: Lowball

Noun / LOH-bawl

A short, sturdy glass typically used to serve spirits or cocktails neat or on the rocks. Also known as a rocks glass or old fashioned glass.

What to drink now

Introducing the Drunken Crane cocktail

From: Next Door by Wegmans, New York City, US

Words by Vicki Denig

The classic Martini is having its moment in the sun, as are modern riffs on the beloved drink. Enter the Drunken Crane, a savoury iteration served at Next Door by Wegmans. Created by Cello Ritondo, the restaurant’s lead bartender, this flavour-packed cocktail promises to satisfy fans of spirit-forward libations, as well as fans of ginger.

‘The Drunken Crane was inspired by the traditional Vesper, as well as my love for Japanese cuisine,’ says Ritondo, who used pickled ginger brine from the restaurant’s sushi counter to bring more complexity to the drink.

He notes that throwing in a pinch of salt balances the vodka, making its naturally high 40% abv more palatable.

‘This cocktail is unique in that it makes a traditional Martini approachable, as well as opening up the palate for dinner,’ he adds, noting that the drink pairs impeccably with fresh sashimi and maki rolls.

How to make a Drunken Crane cocktail

Ingredients

Glass: Nick & Nora
45ml Tito’s Handmade Vodka
5ml Lillet Blanc
15ml pickled ginger brine
pinch of salt
Optional garnish: mini origami crane

Method

Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass.
Add ice and stir for about 20 seconds, then strain into a Nick & Nora glass.
Atomise a lemon peel above the drink, ensuring that the oils coat the rim of the glass before discarding.
Garnish with a mini origami crane perched on the rim of the glass.

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Julie Sheppard joined the Decanter team in 2018 and is Regional Editor for Australia, New Zealand and South Africa & Spirits Editor.

Before Decanter, she worked for a range of drinks and food titles, including as managing editor of both Imbibe and Square Meal, associate publisher of The Drinks Business, senior editor of the Octopus Publishing Group and Supplements editor of Harpers Wine & Spirit. As a contributor, she has over 20 years’ experience writing about food, drink and travel for a wide range of publications, including Condé Nast Traveller, Delicious, Waitrose Kitchen, Waitrose Drinks, Time Out and national newspapers including The Telegraph and The Sunday Times.

With contributions from

Vicki Denig