Award-winning local vineyard and winery, Furleigh Estate has teamed up with Dorset’s first gin distillery Conker Spirit and Isle of Wight Tomatoes to create a limited-edition cocktail for Red Nose Day, on Friday March 13.
Lloyd Brown, head mixologist at The Venner Bar in Bridport created the recipe, blending Furleigh estate sparkling Classic Cuvee 2011, with Conker Spirit Dorset Dry Gin and Isle of Wight Tomatoes’ delicate and refreshing pressed tomato cordial.
Rebecca Hansford, owner of Furleigh Estate, said: “Combining our sparkling wine with gin and tomato notes certainly makes for a unique and delightful tasting experience. For those watching Comic Relief on Friday night, this cocktail will provide welcome and colour-coordinated refreshment!”
Rupert Holloway from Conker Spirit, said: “It’s funny how flavours can come together and surprise you, but this new cocktail is no joke. Isle of Wight Tomatoes’ new Tomato Cordial really takes you by surprise with its fruity and refreshing finish and pairing this with the herbs, spices and citrus really balances the sweetness.”
Ingredients
Furleigh Estate sparkling Classic Cuvee 2011
25ml Conker Spirit Dorset Dry Gin
25ml Isle of Wight Tomato Cordial
25ml fresh lemon juice
Sprig of fresh basil
Isle of Wight cherry tomato
Method
Tear the basil leaves into a healthy serving of Dorset Dry Gin and infuse for 10 minutes.
Next, add the gin mix, lemon juice and tomato cordial to each over ice and shake briefly.
Add to a chilled Champagne coupe glass and top up with chilled sparkling wine.
Garnish with a ripe-to-bursting Isle of Wight cherry tomato and a basil leaf.
To add an extra sensory hit, wipe the edge of the glass with a basil leaf to release an incredible aroma.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2015, Furleigh Estate produces a selection of still and sparkling wines, available at selected UK outlets including Selfridges, The Good Wine shops in Kew and Esher, Village Vine in Poole, or direct from the estate’s website. The Classic Cuvee 2011 retails from £28.50 per bottle.
Made in Dorset from British wheat spirit, New Forest Spring Water and Dorset-inspired botanicals, Conker Spirit Dorset Dry Gin retails from £30 a bottle.
The world’s first tomato cordial, Isle of Wight Tomatoes’ pressed tomato cordial retails from £3.95.
For more information visit www.conkerspirit.co.uk, www.furleighestate.co.uk and www.thetomatostall.co.uk.