Royal Wedding news is reaching a fever pitch. And what better way to celebrate Kate and Will’s nuptials than with your own mini-celebration? Get together with friends, wear hats (a must at British weddings) and join in the revelry. Everyone loves a party!
To help get you started, Charlotte Voisey — an award-winning mixologist and brand ambassador (including Hendrick’s Gin, Lillet, Glenfiddich and Balvenie) from London — has created a few special cocktails in honor of the big day. They’re perfect for your “royal” party or for your own wedding celebration.
1. The Royal Rose
A toast to Kate, this cocktail was inspired by the national flower of England, the rose, and one of the ingredients, Hendrick’s Gin, is made with rose petal essence.
Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons rose jam
- 1 oz. Hendrick’s gin
- ½ oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 oz. champagne
Directions:
- Combine ingredients in a mixing glass (except for the champagne).
- Shake well.
- Strain into a flute.
- Top with champagne.
- Garnish with a small rose petal.
2. Royal Balmoral Punch
Ingredients:
- 3 cups Glenfiddich 12-year-old Single Malt Scotch Whiskey
- 1 cup tea syrup (to make, combine 1 cup English breakfast tea, brewed strong, then mix while hot with 1 cup sugar until it becomes a syrup)
- 2 cups fresh apple juice
- Top with 2 cups lemonade
Directions:
- Combine ingredients in a punch bowl with ice. To add a British touch, place some thistle around the punch bowl or float a piece or two on top.
- Serve in glass tea cups.
3. Rosie Lee, aka “A Cup of Tea”
In London’s East End, a cup of tea is also called a “Rosie Lee." Here’s a more celebratory version of this traditional English drink.
Ingredients:
- 1½ oz Hendrick’s Gin
- ½ oz rose petal-infused syrup (such as Monin Rose Syrup)
- 1 oz Lychee fruit juice
- ½ oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 dash Angostura bitters
Directions:
- Combine ingredients and shake well.
- Strain into a tea cup or cocktail glass.
- Garnish with a slice of lemon.
Survey Says…
Here are some fun Royal Wedding-related statistics from the American Express Spending and Saving Tracker.
- Prince William and Kate Middleton have asked guests to donate wedding gifts to a charitable gift fund, but according to the survey, more than 50% of American couples said they would prefer to receive cash as a gift. (Not surprising…being a royal has its monetary perks, as opposed to the rest of us commoners!).
- However, when asked which Royal Wedding luxury they would include into their special day, women said their number-one splurge would be for their guests to be pampered instead of themselves. (See, we Americans are generous!) And, if money were no object, they would give a personalized gift to each wedding guest (29%) followed by a ride in a horse-drawn carriage (22%) and the opportunity to wear a couture wedding gown (17%).
- If invitations to the Royal Wedding were for sale, more than 3 in 5 consumers are willing to pay $600 on average to attend.
Well, those invitations are definitely not for sale so we’ll just have to tune in and watch the festivities from across the pond—for free!
— Diane Forden
- from-dianes-desk's blog
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