Now that Downton Abbey season 2 is over, we're all waiting with bated (pun intended) breath to see what will happen in season 3. Until then, enjoy a little break from the action...and enjoy one of these cocktails inspired by characters from your favorite British drama.
It was my ambition to create cocktails for all three Crawley sisters (because original cocktails for the whole cast, while admirable, might be a bit daunting). First up is Sybil, the youngest, and my (and maybe your) personal favorite. Sybil is so easy to like...she's sweet without being saccharine, headstrong, and a bit stubborn. For her, I created a cocktail with delicate, rarefied flavors (St. Germain and champagne) that's grounded with something a bit more everyman (London dry gin). The end product is sweet, lovely, and stronger than you'd expect.
Lady Sybil
makes 1 cocktail
1 oz gin
3/4 oz St. Germain elderflower liqueur
brut champagne, chilled
Combine the gin and St. Germain over ice. Shake and strain into a flute. Top with champagne.
Related on the Kitchn:
• Downtown Abbey Cocktails: Edith
• Downtown Abbey Cocktails: Mary
Nancy Mitchell may be experiencing serious Abbey withdrawal. You can find more of her recipes on her blog, The Backyard Bartender.
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Great minds must think alike.
I found this online and we had them at our season finale party: http://blogs.weta.org/tellyvisions/2012/01/05/12-days-downton-what-do-your-downton-abbey-viewing-party-weekend Warning, they are extremely strong!!!
I was thinking that it should have Irish Whiskey in it. :-)
@egeds: only after she's married....:)
I've had elderflower & champagne very often but the addition of gin is an interesting twist.
We play a drinking game in honor of Downton... everytime you see the dog on screen, everyone yells "Isis!" in unison, and sips sherry. You see, Isis is a great mystery to dog lovers, one season Isis was a female dog, the next a male, rumor is that in the third season Isis will once again be female. Scandalous.
@Rucy. At one point there was also a male dog named Pharaoh. I noticed Isis right away since that's my cat's name (someone else named her).
Sybil, not Sibyl :)
Apparently the dog from Season 1 didn't get on with the dogs that live at Highclere (the estate which poses as Downton), so they got the new dog in and instead of pretending it was the same dog they create 'Isis'. I think the names of the dogs may be in honour of the fact that Lord Carnarvon, the Earl who lived at Highclere funded the excavation of Tutenkhamun's tomb and subsequently died in Egypt (his death fuelled the idea that there was a curse on the tomb, but was more likely due to blood poisoining)
Squiggle...good catch. Fixed.
I just wanted to say that the top picture in this post is really lovely.
I want these glasses - where are they from?
Wow!
Yay! Sybil not only made that name awesome again, but she was so forward thinking, and so polite and level-headed about it that you couldn't ever be angry with her!
This is so cute. I want to host a Downton Abbey cocktail party now!
This is very similar to my favorite cocktail, The Christopher Robyn --
1 oz. Hendrick's
3 drops Orange Bitters
splash of simple syrup
splash of lime juice or lime puree
splash of soda water
topped with St. Germain
served over ice
I was excited to try a few of the ingredients with the Brut, but wasn't in love with the taste after. Maybe it was the cheap Brut we got, or the fact that I poured too much... but I hated the taste until we salvaged with a dash of Lime Puree.
I know these comments are really more about the wonder of Downton, but I thought I'd throw some flavor insight in there, too. Also, try the Christopher Robyn it's great!
When my fiancé gets here from Turkey I intend to have a Downton Abbey party. (How lucky that his middle name is Kemal, maybe I can get him to play the role of the ghost of Mr. Pamuk!). He loves to mix cocktails. I think it's time to comb the antique and thrift shops for odd piece unique stemwear! Dressing up would make this so much fun! Recipes for period nibbles? Big idea in my head right now! (and some noon alcohol mixes for my teens who love to watch with me!)