There is little that captures the essence of an English summer more than the taste of fresh strawberries ā and where better to enjoy them than at Wimbledon? However, if you donāt have tickets for the upcoming finals, recreate the experience at home with Sipsmith Ginās Wimbledon Collins cocktail recipe, made using the all-new, limited edition Strawberry Smash gin.
Sipsmithās partnership with the tennis championship saw the London distiller go as far as using strawberries from the same English farm that Wimbledon sources its own. Hugh Lowe Farms in Kent has supplied its sustainably grown strawberries to Wimbledon for over 25 years, however, in the absence of a tournament last year, the 2020 harvest was instead used to distill the Strawberry Smash gin.
Hugh Lowe Farmsā adopts an environmentally conscious approach to strawberry growing, which involves investing in renewable energy, preserving water, protecting biodiversity and maintaining wild areas across its land. Sipsmithās method is equally as responsible, with the renowned gin maker having recently achieved B Corp certification, which recognizes companies that meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance.
[See also: Unusual Methods Making Wine and Spirits Sustainable]
To create its Wimbledon strawberry gin, Sipsmith uses its classic London Dry recipe of traditional botanical with the addition of ripe berries and a hint of English mint. The result is summer in a bottle: a fresh and perfectly balanced gin with notes of sweet, juicy strawberries. Although Strawberry Smash is delicious enough served simply with tonic over ice, to fully elevate the flavors and transport yourself to a courtside seat, try the specially created Wimbledon Collins cocktail recipe.
The Wimbledon finals take place over the course of this weekend, with defending champion Novak Djokovic, Denis Shapovalov, Matteo Berrettini and Hubert Hurkacz still in the running for a spot in the menās final on Sunday. The womenās final on Saturday will see Australian Ash Barty meet Karolina Pliskova.
Ingredients:
- 2 parts Sipsmith Strawberry Smash
- 1 part lemon juice
- Ā½ part simple syrup
- Soda water
- Strawberries and a lemon twist for garnish
Method: Combine the Strawberry Smash, lemon juice, and simple syrup in an ice-filled highball or collins glass. Top with soda water and garnish with fresh strawberries and a lemon twist.
