The highly anticipated premiere of Downton Abbey's third season is so close we can almost taste it. This Sunday night fans from coast to coast will be toasting the return of their favorite characters and a few new additions to boot. At my house we love any reason to have friends over and mix a few drinks, so this occasion suits us just fine. Since almost tasting isn't good enough we'd like you to actually get a taste of Downton for this week's 10-Minute Happy Hour.
Previous Downton Abbey Cocktails
• Downton Abbey Cocktails: Mary
• Downton Abbey Cocktails: Edith
• Downton Abbey Cocktails: Sybil
You may be familiar with our signature sips for each of the Crawley sisters including Sybil, Lady Mary and Edith, (links above) and now we've got one for the man of the house too.
No not Lord Grantham, the other man who is currently not residing there though we may all speculate when and if the honorable Mr. Bates shall return to Downton.
[SEASON 2 SPOILER ALERT]
Mr. Bates, valet to the Earl of Grantham, is an enigmatic character who at the end of season two was convicted of murdering his psychotically vindictive first wife. If that wasn't enough to sour him he already carries a dark streak that surfaces when dealing with his old war injuries, often having others view him as a cripple, which to Mr. Bates is far worse than the injury itself. Bates' life is truly bittersweet as it is spun with love and joy from the ever- adoring Anna.
To sum up John Bates in a glass, this cocktail mixes the bittersweet Italian aperitif Amaro Nonino with the rich and alluring Pedro Ximenez Sherry and a dash of orange bitters. It's sophisticated with a smooth body and a bit of a bite in the finish. I've optimistically garnished it with a sliver of orange peel, to represent a little sunshine in the end for dear Mr. Bates and his lovely Anna.
No matter which cocktail you choose here's to you enjoying a delightful sip of Downton.
Mr. Bates Bittersweet Cocktail
makes 1 drink1 ounce Amaro Nonino
1 ounce Pedro Ximenez Sherry
Orange bitters
Orange peel
In a short glass filled with cracked ice, add the Amaro Nonino, the sherry and a couple of dashes of orange bitters. (Angostura bitters works well here too.)
Stir.
Twist the orange peel to express its oils into the glass then drop it in as a garnish.
Enjoy.
Maureen C. Petrosky writes what she knows, food, booze and parties. Author of The Wine Club, she appears regularly on The TODAY show to share her vices, and advice with the world. For more info check out www.maureenpetrosky.com or follow her on twitter @maureenpetrosky
(Images: Maureen Petrosky)
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Please tell us more about the glass that holds the Mr. Bates cocktail! It's beautiful--where can I find it?
I had the same question. I would love to know more about the glass!
I can hardly wait for Downton Abbey S.3 to start on our "telly" this Sun. This is a marvelous cocktail and looks so easy to concoct. Thanks for sharing this one. Here's to Mr. Bates - set him free ! Cheers!
It looks like vintage glassware, similar to Candlewick that was a popular crystal in the early 50s (this is what my mother has and she married in 1953.) I have a set of similar glasses that I purchased at a garage sale once.
I'm not certain that is what these glasses are - but they are similar to Candlewick.
Yes! That was my first thought when I saw this post.
the glass---vintage! I was delighted to see these images and lovingly inspired to use ones I own to celebrate the occasion, the simple joy. Cheers to you and Downtown Abbey S.3!!
Both my grandmother and mother have a set of these glasses. I remember setting the table for special events. I grew up in the late 70's early 80s. I didn't appreciate them back then but I may go over this weekend and snag them!
Correction - Bates was charged with the murder, not convicted.
Correction - The email mentions drinks for the Crawley sisters. Mary, Edith, and Sybil are the Grantham sisters. Sort of a huge mistake.
The glasses are easily found on eBay (I googled "vintage glassware candlewick," and there are lots of them online) - inexpensively too. One ad I saw was a set of 4 for $10. Hmm...
Michele, actually, Grantham is the estate title, and used like a surname by the Earl and Countess. But the family surname is Crawley, and that's what the girls are called by.
More: A Downton Abbey Etiquette Primer: How to Greet the Earl of Grantham and other British Forms of Address
Ah the intricacies of the English upper crust! ;)
No, no. The last name of the family is indeed Crawley. Robert is the Earl of Grantham, that is his title, but his proper name is Robert Crawley, and so his daughters are the Crawley sisters. Drink up!
What food everyone serving at their Downton parties? I'm making mini Yorkshire puddings and salmon mousse toasts but would love some more ideas from everyone!
You can find different sizes of Candlewick glasses on etsy.com. I prefer it to ebay.com but they are one both. So excited for Season 3 to be airing soon. Our local PBS station is having a viewing party and I would love to go....but can't find anyone that wants to see it besides me and they incourage dressing in the period. But I will be watching! You will be hooked if you watch it once I do believe!
Bates was convicted and sentenced to death and then his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment. The end of season 2 leaves us watching the Earl and Matthew trying to get an appeal because they think they throw doubt on the evidence, or more evidence will show up, or something.
You'd better catch up! Season 3 is upon us!
The glass is called a "Boopie" glass. I have several that I purchased on EBay. I never thought to save my mother's glasses....
Interesting that we're talking about the glasses more than the drink or the show! I love the show and can't wait for Sunday!
Anyway, because I first brought up Candlewick and you mentioned Boopie glass, I wondered what the difference might be. I found this blog post which explains the two and their history - FYI for anyone who is interested: http://bargainhuntingandtreasureseeking.blogspot.com/2010/02/is-it-boopie-or-candlewick.html
I can't wait for the premiere of Downton! I saw the Mary and the Edith a while back, but this Mr. Bates drink looks DELISH! Team Bates! (And Anna!)
lakeshorelady.blogspot.com
I'm waiting for the Thomas cocktail..... something a little deviant, delicious and devious! lol
The best way to tell the difference between Candlewick and Boopie (Berwick) is to take a good look at the balls of glass. The Candlewick pattern has balls that do not run together or even touch each other. They are full circle balls that have a little space in between them. They tend to look more fragile that way. The Boopie or Berwick design has the balls touching each other without any space in between. They almost look welded together. The ever so subtle differences in the two designs have confused novice collectors (including myself) and sellers all over the world. If you look on Ebay right now, you will see several listings where the seller has listed their item and included the names Candlewick and Boopie in their descriptions. I am choosing to believe that their reason for doing so is because they themselves are not sure, rather than believing they are trying to pass off Boopie as Candlewick.
The drink sounds OOOOOOOOOOOO so sweet.
Pedro Ximenez is almost grape syrup and the liqueur is sweet, too. I dunno.
Here in the U.K we have watched season 3, soooooooooo good. Over Christmas we were treated to a Christmas special which links to season 4. It was amazing but with a terrible ending, especially as it was viewed on Christmas day.
Thank you, Shirley! So interesting!
Actually, Crawley is correct. "Grantham" refers to the fictional title (Earl and Countess of Grantham), but the family's last name is Crawley. Just like the real Duke of Norfolk's last name isn't "Norfolk," but rather Fitzalan-Howard.
Sounds like my kind of cocktail!
Thanks for helping me out. I was so confused! Silly me.
Thanks so much! :) I feel so silly.
Not a lot of people commenting on the cocktail, probably because Nonino Amaro is not so easy to find! I'm in the DC area and had to order it from NY!. But it is worth it. This is an outstanding combination - a complex but smooth drink, not too sweet, and very sophisitcated - like the folks at Downton. Well done!