Today, our series of Downton Abbey cocktails concludes with a drink inspired by the Crawley sister you love, or hate, or maybe love to hate - Lady Mary.
I'll confess I don't find Lady Mary to be particularly likable. Fellowes tries hard to give us reasons to sympathize with her, but to me, she just seems - mean. To be fair, Mary is a woman in a particularly difficult situation - forced to marry to maintain her lifestyle, haunted by a secret that threatens to ruin her. The crisp bite of Lilet Blanc, the French apertif wine, was, I felt, a good match for Mary's occasionally acerbic personality. Add basil, lemon, and champagne for a cocktail that's simultaneously tart, complex, and refreshing.
Lady Mary
makes 1 cocktail
1.5 oz Lillet Blanc
.75 oz fresh-squeezed lemon juice
4-5 basil leaves
brut champagne, chilled
Add the basil and lemon juice to your shaker and muddle. Add Lillet and ice and then shake and strain into a flute. Top with champagne.
Related:
• Downton Abbey Cocktails: Sybyl
• Downtown Abbey Cocktails: Edith
Nancy Mitchell is ready for season 3. You can find more of her recipes on her blog, The Backyard Bartender.
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Yeah, there are times when I kinda want to give Mary a smack, like when she (basically) cussed out Carson for telling her Sir Richard was trying to keep tabs on her and thus he wouldn't be working for him, but I think that she only does that to hide when she's upset or vulnerable. I hated her guts in the pilot episode though, she was so cold and self-interested. But "complex" is the perfect word to describe her
I feel bad for her. She's the oldest, she's got the most pressure on her to marry and marry well.
The cocktail named after her sounds lovely, but the Edith sounds better.
Shame on you, who ever wrote that Mary could have been anything but loved. Her character developed into a women who had concern for her family, the injured soldiers, her maid Anna, Mr. Bates, and handsome Matthew, and wonderful Grannie. Mary possessed the "stiff upper lip" of the British people. She displayed dignity and kindness to those who
deserved the same. Even Edith, who was the nasty sister, became human, in the end.
Unfortunately, there is not a 3rd season. If there was a support group, I would be the first to to join. Downton Abby was a gift!
Actually, they're filming the 3rd season now. It will be out in 2013.
why are they all champagne based?
There is definitely a 3rd season!!! Shirley McClain is apparently joining the cast as Grandmama!! And Mary is my favorite...yes, she started off very unlikable as she was cold, mean and selfish...but over the years she has matured greatly...while she certainly hasn't lost her tartness there is still a compassionate person underneath it all. Complex is definitely the right description for her!!
Is anyone else somewhat creeped out that it is supposed to be a happy ending to become Lady Mary Crawley Crawley? So aristocratic, keeping everything in the family like that.
Will you do a series on Sherlock? I'd drink a Benedict cocktail :) Lets the puns begin!
All three cocktails seem well thought out and appetizing. Can't wait to try them. Maybe I should have a Downton Abbey party.
Aw Lady Mary started off bratty and and horrible but she, given the times and her secret and the pressure upon grew into a woman who felt the consequences of things before they happened and was all over very serious because of it. A stiff upper lip, most definitely, but she had to ensure she was dependable and never caused more harm than she had already.
See, Mary was always my favorite. I admire her strength and honesty and even her hardness is not without saving graces. She might not be "nice" but I think she's solid as granite.
I like this cocktail!
There's definitely a 3rd season, it begins airing in the Fall in the UK, no air date announced for the US yet but I watched it week-by-week online (and for free) as it aired in the UK. Julian Fellowes had initially written this as a 3-season story but with its popularity it'll be interesting to see if it goes on to additional seasons.
I love Lady Mary! It's her voice that got me. I could listen to it forever.
I concocted a similar cocktail for the Dowager. It has plenty of tart lemon juice, and mint, which represented virtue to the Victorians.
1.5 ounces Lillet Blanc
juice of half a lemon
splash of ginger ale
crushed mint
I concocted a similar cocktail for the Dowager. It has plenty of tart lemon juice, and mint, which represented virtue to the Victorians.
1.5 ounces Lillet Blanc
juice of half a lemon
splash of ginger ale
crushed mint