Centre Court Cocktails: tennis-inspired tipples to enjoy while watching Wimbledon

Eden Mill gin-infused ice lollies

Whether heading to Wimbledon’s Centre Court or watching from home, we’re a nation transfixed by the tennis as soon as summer rolls around.

It perhaps comes as no surprise that over Wimbledon fortnight Pimm’s and champagne will be enjoyed in vast quantities. Brits are expected to consume over three swimming pools worth of the former (over 184,000 litres), and pop the corks on over 30,000 bottles of champagne* across the two weeks.

For those looking for a tennis-inspired tipple beyond the traditional, we’ve rounded up some tennis-inspired cocktails. From Murray Mojitos and Williams Wine & Bourbon Spritz, created by the team at luxury wine and spirits service Bottled & Boxed, to an elevated Pimm’s, featuring Belvoir Farm‘s limited-edition Wimbledon-inspired summer spritz, and Eden Mill‘s sophisticated gin & tonic ice lollies.

Read on for the recipes…

MURRAY MOJITO

Murray Mojito

This Scottish-inspired twist on the classic Mojito pays tribute to brothers Jamie and Andy Murray; respectively two-time winners of Wimbledon’s mixed doubles tournament and men’s singles championship. Replacing white rum with a delicious Scotch whisky, this recipe offers a lovely heat and richness.

To make this drink, you’ll need:

• Juice of 1 lime
• 2 tsps. of sugar
• Mint leaves
• Tbsp honey
• 50ml Scotch whisky
• 150ml ginger beer
• Hi balls glass or tumbler
• Drinks stirrer
• Ice

Take the juice from one lime, a couple of teaspoons of sugar, a spoonful of honey, and a few fresh mint leaves and muddle these ingredients together in a glass. Add a few ice cubes, then pour in two shot glasses (roughly 50 ml) of whisky. Fill the rest of the glass with ginger beer, stir well, and serve.

WILLIAMS WINE & BOURBON SPRITZ 

Williams Wine and Bourbon Spritz

Paying homage to iconic sibling duo, the Williams sisters – between them 12 time Wimbledon winners – this recipe uses American bourbon paired with an elegant sparkling wine, tribute to Serena’s love of wine and Venus’ love of spritzes.

To make this drink, you’ll need:

• 25ml bourbon whiskey
• 30ml Aperol
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 70ml sparkling wine. You could use prosecco, cava, or even Lanson champagne (official sponsor of Wimbledon)
• 100ml soda water or tonic water
• Large wine or gin glass
• Ice
• Mint, lemon, or orange to garnish

Add a few ice cubes to a large wine glass. Then add a shot of bourbon, 30 ml of Aperol, and a tablespoon of lemon juice, and stir well to combine. Pour over 70ml of sparkling wine, and top up the glass with 100ml or so of soda water or tonic. Garnish with a sprig of mint or a slice of orange and enjoy!

NADAL’s TEQUILA SANGRIA

Nadal’s Tequila Sangria

Spanish icon Rafael Nadal may have taken home the men’s singles trophy just twice, but his 2008 win against Roger Federer made sporting history, as he became only the second ever Spanish player to win Wimbledon. This take on a sangria uses tequila, as the Spanish tennis star has previously expressed his love for this Mexican spirit.

You’ll need:

• 1 cup fruit. Berries and citrus slices work well.
• 1 750ml bottle of white wine
• 6 shots of tequila blanco
• 3 shots of triple sec liqueur
• 1 litre citrus soda or tonic
• A large serving jug
• A wooden spoon
• Ice
• Sprig of mint to serve

To make a tequila sangria, start by adding fruit and a handful of ice cubes to a large serving jug. You can use any which takes your fancy, but berries and citrus fruits work particularly well with this recipe. Next, add a bottle (750 ml) of white wine, six shots of tequila, and three shots of triple sec. Top up the jug with a citrus flavoured soda water or tonic, stir with the spoon, and serve. Garnish each glass with a sprig of mint.

STRAWBERRY PIMMS 

Belvoir Strawberry Pimm’s

Finally, a Wimbledon cocktail special wouldn’t be complete without this quintessential British classic. While it’s hard to imagine an improvement on this summer staple, Belvoir Farm’s new limited-edition Summer Spritz offers refreshing berries and mint flavours, with a hint of zest from Raspberry & Lemon cordial.

You’ll need:

• 150ml Belvoir Farm Summer Spritz
• 50ml Pimms
• 15ml Belvoir Farm Raspberry & Lemon Cordial
• Handful of strawberries
• Handful of fresh mint leaves

Simply muddle fresh mint and strawberries in a highball glass, before adding Pimm’s and Raspberry & Lemon Cordial. Fill the glass to just below the rim with crushed ice, then pour over the sparkling Belvoir Farm Summer Spritz. Garnish with a sprig of mint.

GIN AND TONIC ICE LOLLIES (makes 10)

Eden Mill fruit ice lollies

A sophisticated take on a refreshing summer classic, these ice lollies are infused with Eden Mill’s Burgundy White Wine Cask Aged Gin and feature refreshing flavours of lime, peach and raspberries to keep you cool, even as the Wimbledon action hots up!

You’ll need

500ml tonic water
60g caster sugar
100ml Eden Mill Burgundy White Wine Cask Aged Gin
3 limes, 1 juiced and zested, 2 thinly sliced
1 peach, finely sliced
20 raspberries

In a large jug, combine the tonic water and caster sugar until fully dissolved and the tonic has lost its fizz. Stir in the gin, lime juice and zest. Place a couple of slices of peach and a slice of lime into each lolly mould, followed by a couple of raspberries, then divide the gin and tonic mixture between the moulds. Close the lids and add the lolly sticks.

Freeze until solid, we recommend overnight. The lollies will last in the freezer for up to two months.

*Statistics from Generation Logistics, who shared that searches for tennis-themed food and drink have sky-rocketed over the past month

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