The Downton Abbey Fan In Your Life Will Seriously Heart This New Spirit

Highclere Castle image courtesy of Greg Willson

Yesterday I had cocktails on the lawn with a countess.

And not just any countess mind you, but Lady Fiona, the 8th Countess of Carnarvon of Highclere Castle, also known as the real life Downton Abbey. (Her husband, the 8th Earl of Carnarvon, happens to be the godson of none other than Queen Elizabeth II btw.)

If you’re a fan of the show, you probably already know that Highclere is open to public during the Spring and Summer (There are also guided tours in the Fall.) and may also be rented out for weddings.

But what’s a Downton fan to do if they can’t make it to the Berkshire/Hampshire border in the South of England anytime soon?

The butler at Highclere mixing up a HCG and tonic..

Well, there is a way that you can add a bit of Downton to your next at home cocktail hour (fancy a drink?) or dinner party.

Sip, sip hooray - because there’s a brand new Highclere Castle Gin that’s botanical infused (inspired by the gardens on the estate that date back to the 9th century and the Bishops of Winchester) and just now launching in the US this week.

We attended the Launch Party, a croquet and cocktails (featuring traditional English eats like strawberries and cream, attendees - including a Harper’s Bazaar fashion editor, and super famous bloggers KJP and Sarah Vickers - decked out in their finest “croquet whites,” and cigars also from Highclere) centered event on the lawn yesterday at Ocean House in Watch Hill, for this emerging estate gin and it was tip top!

Now, as a rule, I tend to be more of a red wine drinker, but tbh I really enjoyed the mixed drinks (including the gin and tonic in the photo above, made with HCG and their own twist on the traditional recipe that may be found at: highclerecastlespirits.com) yesterday.

They were splendiferous!

So, this spirit (oh yeah…I was impressed to also learn that the oats used in the gin making process are grown right on the estate) sure sounds like the perfect way to get your fauvorite Anglophiles together for some sips and giggles this month and beyond.

*Thanks so much to everyone at Highclere Castle Gin for extending an invite to their absolutely lovely launch party.