The team at Hooting Owl Distillery know a thing or two about gin, and they’re also pretty clued up when it comes to the flavours of the Yorkshire region. Combining a love of both, the distillery has developed four cocktail recipes “only Yorkshire could invent.”
Using Yorkshire Day (August 1st) as inspiration, founder and head distiller at Hooting Owl, Dominic M’Benga, has worked with a Leeds mixologist to create four unique gin cocktail recipes that each represent one of the four Yorkshire counties.
The new Yorkshire cocktails start with a region-specific gin and include some of the best ingredients the area has to offer, to create try-at-home cocktails with a uniquely Yorkshire flavour.
North Moors Berry Fizz, East Orchard Spritz, South Summer Breeze and the West Spice Collins have all been created exclusively for the independent Yorkshire distillery, which is best known for its small batch, premium North, East, South and West Yorkshire Gins.
“…cocktails only Yorkshire could invent.”
“We set ourselves the challenge of creating cocktails only Yorkshire could invent,” Dom says, “Drinks that could be made at home, but also something that wasn’t too basic. Importantly, we wanted to make sure the recipes celebrated all four individual counties like our range of Yorkshire gins does.”
“Each cocktail uses a different one of our Yorkshire gins at its heart.” Dom continues, “We have designed them so that any good quality gin can be used to recreate the recipes, but as we’ve carefully selected a unique blend of flavours for ours, influenced by specific parts of the region, you’ll get even more Yorkshire in your glass!”
The botanical ingredients in Hooting Owl’s Yorkshire gins have been chosen to represent different parts of the county. North Yorkshire Gin, for example, reflects the “wild earthy beauty” of the North Yorkshire Moors, with heather and bilberries. East Yorkshire Gin uses flavours of kelp from the Yorkshire coast and botanicals including lavender and berries from the Yorkshire Wolds. South Yorkshire Gin includes a depth of flavour inspired by the Barnsley chop, and its West Yorkshire Gin blends spices influenced by Bradford and Leeds and a sweetness inspired by Pontefract cakes.
The cocktail recipes have been released by Hooting Owl Distillery for gin lovers across the Yorkshire region to enjoy on Yorkshire Day and beyond.
Yorkshire Gin Cocktail Recipes
North Moors Berry Fizz
Ingredients:
50ml Hooting Owl North Yorkshire Gin
30ml fresh blueberry juice
15ml elderflower liqueur
20ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
10ml simple syrup
Soda water
Ice cubes
Fresh bilberries and a sprig of heather to garnish
Instructions:
In a shaker, combine the gin, bilberry juice, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
Shake well with ice until chilled. Strain the mixture into a tall glass filled with ice cubes.
Top up with soda water for some effervescence. Garnish with fresh bilberries and a sprig of heather.
Stir gently before enjoying the fresh flavours of the North Yorkshire Moors.
East Orchard Spritz
Ingredients:
40ml Hooting Owl East Yorkshire Gin
30ml apple liqueur or apple syrup
15ml fresh lime juice
Chilled sparkling apple cider
Slices of apple and a sprig of thyme for garnish
Ice cubes
Instructions:
Fill a wine glass with ice cubes.
Pour in the Hooting Owl East Yorkshire Gin, apple liqueur or syrup, and fresh lime juice.
Stir gently to combine. Top up the glass with chilled sparkling apple cider.
Garnish with slices of apple and a sprig of thyme.
Sip and experience the fruit flavours of the East Yorkshire Orchard Spritz.
A South Summer Breeze
Ingredients:
50ml Hooting Owl South Yorkshire Gin
20ml elderflower liqueur
20ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
10ml Yorkshire honey syrup (mix equal parts of locally sourced honey and water)
4-5 fresh blackberries (locally grown)
2-3 fresh mint leaves
Ice cubes
Soda water
Edible flowers and a sprig of rosemary for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
In a shaker, muddle the fresh blackberries and mint leaves to release their flavours.
Add the Hooting Owl South Yorkshire Gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice and Yorkshire honey syrup to the shaker.
Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds.
Strain the mixture into a chilled highball glass filled with ice cubes.
Top up the glass with soda water to your desired level of fizziness.
Give the cocktail a gentle stir to mix the ingredients.
Garnish with edible flowers and a sprig of rosemary for an aromatic touch.
Serve and enjoy the taste of South Yorkshire in a glass.
The West Spice Collins
Ingredients:
50ml Hooting Owl West Yorkshire Gin
30ml fresh lemon juice
15ml turmeric-infused simple syrup (To make: heat equal parts water and sugar until dissolved, then add turmeric powder and let it steep. Strain before use.)
A handful of fresh mint leaves
Soda water
Ice cubes
Lemon wheel and mint sprig for garnish
Instructions:
In a cocktail shaker, muddle the fresh mint leaves gently.
Add the Hooting Owl West Yorkshire Gin, fresh lemon juice, and turmeric-infused simple syrup.
Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake well.
Strain the mixture into a tall glass filled with ice.
Top up with soda water and gently stir.
Garnish with a lemon wheel and a sprig of mint.
Enjoy the refreshing West Yorkshire Spice Collins.
