Planning a wedding is thirsty work, so Lucy Plummer from Whirlowbrook Hall has the latest trends within wedding drinks to inspire your refreshment selection.
“With summer fast approaching, what’s on the drinks list becomes high priority for couples keen to offer guests a thirst-quenching tipple,” says Lucy. “And with English wines, low and no alcohol beverages and fun, flavoured spirits all making the ‘hot list’, your guests are in for a refreshing treat.”
Best of British
The English wine industry is booming right now and with good reason. English wine has become synonymous with quality, one of the reasons being that we can’t mass produce here due to the unpredictable climate. White Chapel Downs is a great example – made from 100% Bacchus, a popular variety that ripens well in cool climates, this vine produces fruit with excellent ripe flavours and refreshing crisp acidity levels. Ripe melon, peach, passion fruit, gooseberry and a hint of grass on the nose, the palate shows tropical fruits and lime flavours with a hint of nettles.
‘Dry’ Drinks
Around 5.4 million UK adults now class themselves as teetotal, with the ratio even higher amongst young people (particularly millennials). Chances are then, you’ll have at least one or two ‘dry’ guests at the wedding, so it’s important to provide for them.
Mocktails are an option for a dry wedding –create a signature drink combining your favourite flavours. Swap out the spirits for the sophisticated taste of Seedlip or opt for exotic fruits combined with herbs and even iced teas. Garnish with edible flowers for an artistic flourish.
Coloured and Flavoured Spirits
Brilliant for tying in with a wedding theme or even creating a rainbow drinks display, spirits with a little something extra will continue to be a hit as the weather turns warmer. Pink gin is probably our most requested tipple within this theme, but coloured vodka and even liqueurs like Limoncello are growing in popularity.
As a country we spent over £165m in 2018 on gins that taste of anything from rhubarb to elderflower; it’s a trend that’s showing no sign of slowing. Serve with a selection of tonics and garnishes for guests to build their ideal drink.
About Whirlowbrook Hall:
Built in 1906, Whirlowbrook Hall is a lovingly restored family Manor House located just four miles from Sheffield city centre and bordering with the Peak District and Chesterfield. Set in 39 acres of private, beautifully landscaped gardens it offers the perfect blend of charm, tradition and modern elegance. For more information visit https://whirlowbrook.co.uk/ or call 0114 236 6142 or e-mail enquiries@whirlowbrook.co.uk.
