Britain’s hedgerows are filled with ingredients that are perfect for creating your own liqueurs, shrubs and cordials – a myriad of berries, herbs and flowers that can transform a simple drink into something truly unique. From sloe berries and blackberries to elderflower, hazelnuts and rosehips, harvesting these wild ingredients is like bottling the essence of the countryside.
If your situation doesn’t lend itself to foraging, though, you can buy a wide variety of high-quality, ready-made products. Here are five of the best hedgerow-inspired cocktails to try.
The Classic Sloe Gin Fizz
The unsung hero of the hedgerow, the sloe makes a fruity, fragrant companion for gin. A sloe gin fizz – made with sloe gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup and soda water – is the perfect celebratory tipple, striking the perfect balance between sweet and tart. The rich berry flavour of sloe gin gives this cocktail its jewel-like colour and a gentle warmth — ideal for late summer evenings or festive winter gatherings.
Bramble
As flashback to the hedonistic days of its creation in the 1980s, the flavours of this tasty cocktail are inspired by the hedgerow. The Bramble combines gin, lemon juice and crème de mûre (blackberry liqueur), served over crushed ice. Edmunds’ own version – Berry Bramble – substitutes black raspberry liqueur for blackberry for a gloriously fruit-forward flavour. Garnish with fresh blackberries or a sprig of thyme for an elegant twist on a modern classic.
Elderflower Collins
Elderflower heralds summer with its delicately fragrant blossom that is the perfect complement for gin. An Elderflower Collins is an elegant cocktail. A floral take on the Tom Collins, our version combines gin, fresh lemon juice, elderflower liqueur, cucumber and soda water to wonderful effect. Light, refreshing, and endlessly sippable, it’s the perfect drink for garden parties or sunny afternoons in the countryside.
Let It Sloe
An Edmunds original, Let It Sloe is a seasonal cocktail inspired by hedgerow flavours. We’ve created a festive blend of sloe gin, kumquat liqueur, cranberry and lime with deep berry notes that partner perfectly with the citrus top notes. The ideal choice to get a Christmas party started
Rosehip Royale
A luxurious way to toast the season, this sparkling aperitif starts with a small measure of rosehip syrup topped off with sparkling wine – or champagne if you’re feeling fancy. The rosehips add a delicate, tangy sweetness, while turning your cocktail the colour of a spectacular sunset. It’s simple yet sophisticated — a hedgerow twist on the Kir Royale, full of floral, fruity charm.
