Shaken, stirred and all set for summer

Here at Poulton Hill we are passionate about local produce and we take our Think Local, Drink Local ethos very seriously. We are, therefore, thrilled to announce our new partnership with award-winning local liqueur company Liqueurious.

Liqueurious has developed a range of alcoholic tea and coffee liqueurs that have won Gold and Silver awards in the World Liqueur Awards 2023, as well a Gold Taste of the West award and a Great Taste award.

Its founder, Jason, came to visit us at the vineyard and created four cocktails using Poulton Hill’s Cotswold Brandy and Liqueurious’ tea liqueurs. Whatever your cocktail preference, there should be something for you.

 

 

First up is a Margarita on the Hill (Poulton Hill of course!).

Jason says that a Margarita without tequila may sound a little confusing, “but swapping tequila for brandy is not as strange as it sounds”.

He explains: “Tequila Reposado and Anejo are usually aged in used American whiskey or bourbon barrels, and occasionally in Cognac/brandy barrels too. The tequila ageing process adds nuances of oak, vanilla and caramel, which is similar to the flavour profile of Poulton Hill Brandy.”

By using brandy, you add an “element of sophistication and refinement that magnificently partners with tea liqueur. The result is unmistakeably Margarita-esque!” he adds.

 

 

Recipe

• 50ml Poulton Hill Cotswold Brandy
• 30ml Camellia Tea Liqueur (both Camellia and Camellia Decaf work well)
• 20ml freshly squeezed orange juice
• 10ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 10ml simple syrup*
• Garnish with a lemon wheel

Glass – Coup or Margarita glass

Method

Put all ingredients into cocktail shaker, add ice and shake until cold. Strain into a coup or Margarita glass and garnish with the lemon wheel.

A Margarita on the Hill pairs very well with Mexican foods, Cajun foods, salsas and curry.

 

 

Our next cocktail is a Metro-Poulton, which is a twist on a Metropolitan, and is refreshingly simple and bold. The Metro-Poulton is like a Martini, although is it stirred and not shaken as you do not want ice shards spoiling the cocktail.

Jason says: “The citrus and caramel tea notes form a long-lasting friendship that encourages and extracts a confidence from the brandy.”

If you like a little sweetness in your cocktail, add a little simple syrup, but it tastes great with or without it.

Recipe

• 50ml Poulton Hill Cotswold Brandy
• 30ml Camellia Tea Liqueur (both Camellia and Camellia Decaf work well)
• 5ml simple syrup*

Glass – Coup or Martini glass

 

Method
Pour the ingredients into a mixing jug and add a handful of ice. Gently stir for 30-45 seconds and strain into a chilled coup or martini glass.

Try pairing a Metro-Poulton with steak, cheese and cured meats, or chocolate brownies and ice cream.

 

 

 

The third of our cocktails is an Estate Fizz, which is fresh and tangy and perfect for sipping on warm summer days. The Estate Fizz is simple to make and, like the Metro-Poulton, is not shaken.

Jason describes it as a “bittersweet love affair” from the tart spicy qualities of grapefruit to the forgiving sweetness of the tea liqueur. “The brandy undertones are uplifted by the effervescence of the soda, making for a cool, sparkly and refreshing summer sipper.”

Recipe

• 50ml Poulton Hill Cotswold Brandy
• 30ml Camellia Tea Liqueur (both Camellia and Camellia Decaf work well)
• 10ml lime juice
• Pink grapefruit soda top
• Lime wedge to garnish

Glass – Highball glass

 

Method
Rub the lime wedge around the rim of a highball glass. Add the brandy and tea liqueur into the glass and fill with ice. Top with grapefruit soda, gently stir, and garnish with the lime wedge.

Try pairing an Estate Fizz with Mexican foods, Cajun foods, salsas and fresh salads.

Our final Liqueurious cocktail, Fatherhood, is in honour of all the fathers out there and takes you on a journey around the world.

Jason explains: “Setting off from the Caribbean (rum), you cross the North Pacific Ocean to China (tea), then across Eurasia to Germany (Schnapps) and then over the English Channel to England and back to the Cotswolds (brandy).

“It is this worldwide effort, binding tropical fruits, spice, citrus, tannins and peach that makes for an exquisitely complex yet moreish treat.”

Recipe

• 45ml Camellia Decaf (both Camellia Tea Liqueur and Camellia decaf work well)
• 40ml Barbados dark rum
• 10ml Poulton Hill Cotswold Brandy
• 10ml peach Schnapps
• 10ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 5ml simple syrup*

Glass – Brandy glass

Method

Combine all ingredients into a shaker and add a handful of ice. Shake until cooled and strain into a glass and top with ice.

Try pairing a Fatherhood with steak, cheese and cured meats, or chocolate brownies and ice cream.

*To make the simple syrup, combine 1 part sugar to 1 part water and heat in a saucepan until the sugar has dissolved. Allow to cool.

 

• If you want to learn more about Liqueurious and its range of award-winning tea and coffee liqueurs, visit the website and online store here.
• For more details on Poulton Hill Vineyard’s Cotswold Brandy, click here.