On yer bike!

& diversify your drinks cabinet

Greetings, Ciderling! 

Last time, we introduced you to our local distillery, Spirit Of The Downs. They’re the clever clogs who make our Spirit Of Cider, a gin-like spirit made from cider that’s officially a brandy but not calvados because that would be illegal. This time, we’re looking at delicious ways to jazz up your drinks menu. Here are some recipes, especially refreshing when the good weather hits. 🤞

Cider Punch

A crisp, long drink with a kick. Perfect for BBQs with your neighbours, board game parties with your workmates, and curry nights with your cousins. 

4 x 330ml bottles of dry cider - we recommend All The Way Home
100ml Spirit Of Cider
500ml ginger ale
Sliced apple and orange, for a fancy party look
Ice

Combine the ingredients and serve in an old-fashioned crystal punch bowl (if you have one), or just a bog standard mixing bowl from the back of the cupboard (if you don’t). You can sub the ginger ale for cranberry juice if you prefer something a little fruitier.

Pommeau

This one’s a classique from North-West France. Traditionally, it’s mixed and left to “age” for months on end but we like this icy fresh version on a hot day. 

One part Spirit Of Cider
Two parts Sussex Apple Juice
Ice

Mix together and pour over the ice. If you’re feeling extra special you can turn it spritzy glitzy by adding some prosecco or cava. Lovely stuff. 

If you try either of these, let us know what you think. And keep your recipes coming!

🚴 MAMIL: Middle-Aged Men In Lycra (minus the Lyrca, thankfully)

Work hard, play harder. Alongside prepping the cidery area for our tours and tap nights, we’ve been out and about cycling around the local villages. Is it a coincidence Beardy’s bike is a Silver Fox? Yes. Yes, it is. 

There’s no better way to enjoy the English countryside on a sunny day. And this time of year they feel so rare it’s well worth skiving off work for the day when the weather insists. Our biker gang trip included coffee and cake at Tylers Ground, the venue for last year’s cheese and cider tasting event. 

What do you reckon, should we run another one?

🚜 Down on the farm

We’ve got some new animals down at the farm! A family of grass snakes (Natrix Helvetica, says our Gav) have taken up residence in a hole by the garden wall. 

Of course we’ll leave them well alone because a) they’re ACTUAL SNAKES and b) they’re rightly protected. Might serve as inspo for a future cider batch name… watch this space. 

🍻 Tap night tickets are go go go

Grab your ticket to our first tap night of the season - Friday 16th May. Pre-order a cider pack with your ticket for a discounted and curated case of six different ciders only available at events. As always, you can expect great food, superb drinks (if we do say so ourselves) and live music. 

Cheers!
BN&B

📅 Check out our events on our website