Inspired by the enchanting rural setting of her sublime eco luxe wedding venue, Ever After, Nicola Evans has teamed up with award-winning Devon wine merchants, Christopher Piper, and edible flower farmer, Jan Billington of Maddocks Organics, to create a special selection of wedding cocktails that bring the taste of an English garden to the heart - and taste - of your celebration. Brimming with local botanicals and delicious ingredients, these pretty and palate-pleasing concoctions are guaranteed to wow your guests.
ROSE MOJITO
A super-pretty twist on a cool, crowd-pleasing cocktail, the heady scent of rose petals brings a country garden finish to this marvellous mojito. The key ingredient - the very special roses from Maddocks Organics - can even be supplied to complement your colour theme.
Take a collins glass; muddle stems of mint, slices of lime and rose petals; add crushed ice, white rum, rosewater and lime juice; shake, strain and top with soda. Dress with old English rose petals.
MOOTINI
This rather ingenious cocktail combines a novel country vibe with an elegant flavour. Made in Dorset, Black Cow Pure Milk Vodka, is the world's first pure milk vodka made entirely from grass grazed cows.
Take a martini glass; lime rind wash; shake Black Cow Pure Milk Vodka and Blackdown Dorset vermouth with ice; strain and pour. Dress with ivory snapdragon.
MARMALADE MULE
Simple, colourful and refreshing, this West Country take on the classic Moscow Mule packs a deliciously zesty punch thanks to the inclusion of Chase Marmalade Vodka, which is marinated with the finest Seville oranges.
Take a tumbler glass; fill with ice, Chase marmalade vodka, angostura bitters, peach juice, ginger beer top and freshly squeezed lime juice. Dress with nasturtium.
THE GREAT BRITISH G&T
The gin and tonic: beautifully simple, quintessentially English and deliciously refreshing. This special pink variety of lavender brings a wonderful scent and a heady English garden twist to the classic cocktail, making for a pretty, palate-pleasing potion.
Take a collins glass; add ice cubes, Williams Chase apple gin, Chase elderflower liqueur, Fever-Tree tonic and a squeeze of lime. Dress with pale pink lavender stems.
CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW
Don't let your non-drinking guests endure a tooth-achingly saccharine soft drink when your alcohol menu is so darn delicious. This thirst quenching concoction tastes as good as it looks - it can be easily adapted to a flower power gin and tonic, too. And we love the living straw! Christopher Piper and Maddocks Organics can advise on finding the perfect plant stems for your cocktail.
Take a Riedel 'o' glass; rub lemon on rim; add ice, Fever-Tree tonic, and rose or primrose syrup of choice. Place dianthus bloom in the centre. Dress with a 'living' fennel or lovage straw.
Ever After www.lowergrenofen.co.uk
Christopher Piper Wines www.christopherpiperwines.co.uk
Maddocks Farm Organics www.maddocksfarmorganics.co.uk
All flowers from Maddocks Organic Farm are edible. It's essential to source edible flowers for drinks. Check with your flower supplier that their flowers have been grown for consumption.
photography Guy Harrop
Copyright Wed magazine 2015
.jpg)
