We are so lucky in the South West that we are surrounded by so many fantastic food and drink producers, I have met many at events I've attended across Devon over the past couple of years. So what better than to pretend the sun is shining with abit of Summer cocktail pairing.
Gotland Gin
I met Mark from Gotland Gin at a 3 day event in 2022 at Mole Avon Okehampton, Mark and Dawn have a smallholding near Hatherleigh.
Gotland Sheep were always a favourite and actually inspiration behind ‘Gotland Gin’ they both enjoy a glass of gin after a busy day and they had the passion to create their own hand-crafted premium range.
They recently won best trade stand in the Food marquee at Mid Devon Show too, well done guys!
RECIPE:
Inspired by one of their Gotland Rams named Basil they’ve created this Limited Edition gin to create the perfect Basil Smash.
70ml of our Summer Sip Gin
22ml of freshly squeezed
lemon juice
10ml of sugar syrup
Muddle approximately 20 fresh Basil leaves and the stalks in a cocktail shaker.
Add ice Add our Summer Sip Gin, lemon juice and sugar syrup Shake for 20 seconds
Pour with a cocktail strainer in a glass full of ice Garnish with a sprig of fresh Basil.
Pair with our brand new flavour ‘South Devon Basil Pesto‘ for a perfect summer cocktail and vegan snack!
You can purchase their hand-crafted gin via their website or you can find them at the below events this year –
Woolsery Show
North Devon Show
Okehampton Show
Nourish Festival
Dartmouth Food Festival
Rull Orchard
We met Mike and Claire at the Bridwell Artisan Markets, where they started pairing our lemon and tarragon olives with their Perry.
I finally managed to try the pairing at the last market and what a fantastic pairing, the lemon really works with the citrus taste in the perry.
A still perry with a subtle twist. Citrusy and astringent with some classic perry sweetness. Aged in a tequila barrel for delicate agave notes that work so well with the zing of the perry pears
RECIPE:
Serve chilled over a little ice.
Add a squeeze of lime if you like a little extra zing!
Pair with our award winning Lemon and Tarragon Olives.
You can purchase their perry and ciders via their website
You can also find them at the below events over the next few months –
Yealmpton Show – 26th July
South Molton Food and Drink -30th July
Dulverton Fayre – 12th August
Shaftesbury Market – 13th August
Barnstaple Create & Connect – 20th August
Bridgewater Food & Drink – 26th August
Devon Rum
I met Giles from the Devon Rum Team a couple of years ago when I was first introduced to their amazing range of artisan rums, I’ve been to many local food and drink events since, where the Devon Rum Co Team are always on-hand.
They have scooped loads of local awards since launching in 2020, and in fact are the only rum brand to have won multiple Taste of the West Awards three years in a row.
RECIPE:
To create the perfect Devon Meadow rum and tonic cocktail, you’ll need:
– 50ml Devon Rum Co. Honey Spiced Rum
– 150ml Elderflower Tonic
– 15ml Fresh Lime Juice
– Ice
– Sprig of Rosemary
Add ice, Honey Spiced Rum and lime juice to a highball glass. Fill with elderflower tonic and garnish with a fresh sprig of rosemary.
Pair with our Rosemary & Garlic olives.
You can purchase all of their rum via their website you can also visit their relatively new waterside shop along Island Street in Salcombe. Where you can see first hand the blending process and purchase the artisan rums at the same time.
Exmoor Distillery
I met Ben from Exmoor Distillery at Exe Valley Farm Shop where we were both at their Summer fair showcasing Olives and gin! Which is always a winning pairing.
The Navy Reserve has recently just been awarded 3 stars at the Great Taste awards, along with Northmoor Gin and Blackmoor Rum both being award 1 stars – huge congratulations!
RECIPE:
Served tall with plenty of cubed ice.
– 50ml Northmoor Navy reserve gin
– Orange Wedges
– Ginger Ale
Pour the gin into a tall glass full of ice, fill to the brim with the ginger ale and garnish with a slice of orange.
Pair with our Orange and Coriander olives for that extra bit of zest.
Head over to their website to purchase their full range and you can find out more about their distillery tours which are available 7 days a week!
You can also find them at the following in August –
5th Lynton
6th Watchet
12th Braunton Bash
19th Wivvy Show
26th Dulverton
Devon Cove Vodka
We have recently been at Devon County Show with Devon Cove who were near us in the Food Marquee.
As well as attending shows and local events Devon Cove have also got a shop and you can also hire their tasting room for private events.
They have regular cocktail evenings too which are every Friday & Saturday from 7pm-10pm
RECIPE:
Cove Vodka
Lemon
Vermouth
Ice
Stir 15ml vermouth with ice in a cocktail shaker for 10-15 seconds.
If dry, take the martini out.
Add 50-75ml of Cove Vodka and stir with ice.
Strain into a martini glass and add a garnish of your choice.
Our favourite is to garnish with our Green Pitted Olives! The perfect accompaniment to any Martini.
You can purchase all of Devon Cove’s vodka, flavoured vodka, cocktail sets and more via their website and you can find out more about their shop, cocktail evenings and more.
Thunderflower Distillery
I have been at lots of events with Anicca from Thunderflower, most recently Totnes Show where she not only won ‘best tradestand’ but also was a god send as we couldn’t take card payments due to our card machine packing up so she kindly took our card payments for us! We can’t thank her enough.
2018 was when Thunderflower began, from a passion project they have grown into a sought after gin. Taking the classics to a new level, with complex flavours and ingredients.
RECIPE:
- Fill a stirring glass with ice,
- Pour 100ml of Negroni 58.
- Stir 58 times or to your preferred dilution.
- Pour over large ice in a rocks glass
- Garnish with orange.
Pair with our Garlic & Chilli Olives, I tried this myself at the Totnes Show and what a combo the kick of heat from the olives really balances the taste of the negroni.
Exeter Gin
From bottled gin, flavoured gin, letterbox gin and gin pouches and their new Exeter rum. This locally crafted gin, is a labour of love for this family run business.
You will find Exeter Gin at various events, they always attend the Exeter Christmas markets (where I have actually helped out in past years!)
RECIPE:
50ml Exeter Gin (or if feeling brave Ivaar the Boneless Gin!)
1 tsp dry vermouth
Ice
West Country Olives
To Serve:
STEP 1 – Stir the gin, dry vermouth and a little ice together or put them in a cocktail shaker to combine.
STEP 2 – Strain into a chilled martini glass.
STEP 3 – Serve with an olive on a cocktail stick and enjoy!
Pair with our Picante Pimento olives, to awaken your taste buds and add that touch of heat to your palate.
Head over to their website to purchase and for more details on their gin school which is located above the distillery in Teignmouth.
