KENTMAS
Canterbury Brewery and Distillery
Driven by creative passion and curiosity , Canterbury Brewery and Distillery create unique beers and spirits in the historic Canterbury Foundry , selling them on the premises and online at canterburybrewersdistillers . co . uk . Housed in a Victorian industrial foundry that produced cast metal items that went all over the world , today The Foundry witnesses the making of handcrafted beers , ales and spirits , each proud to be Kentish . Lovers of the stories , history and folklore of the county , Canterbury Distillers have honoured their Kentish legacy by creating their Smuggler Sam ’ s Spiced Rum .
In Kent , smuggling has a long history dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries when smuggling of goods and contraband into the country was at its peak . Smuggling routes often traversed through coastal areas , such as the Isle of Thanet , Dover , Folkestone and the Romney Marsh . The use of small boats to evade customs officials patrolling the English Channel was common . Tunnels were typically built under homes , inns , and other buildings along the coast to smuggle a wide range of items including tobacco , tea and brandy . Many of these tunnels have been discovered over the years and some have been preserved as historical sites for visitors to explore .
Samuel Jackson , son of a smuggler , had a warren of tunnels underneath his house in Petham . He was known as ‘ Slippery Sam ’ after overpowering a guard , covering himself in axle grease and slipping through a small window at Maidstone Gaol . In 1760 , after shooting a revenue officer , Jackson was caught and subsequently hung at the age of 30 .
“ We like to believe he ’ d have been a big rum drinker and felt compelled to name our spicy rum after this wayward character ,” says founder Jon Mills . “ Our Smuggler Sam ’ s Spiced Rum is handcrafted here at The Foundry in Canterbury from the highest quality molasses . We then age on Spanish oak after gently spicing with Madagascan vanilla , Spanish orange peel and six world spices . It ’ s delicious on its own , although many customers enjoy it with a cola mixer .”
As well as this classic warming mixed drink , Jon suggests the below recipe for a Bramble cocktail this Christmas .
CANTERBURY BREWERY AND DISTILLERY ’ S BRAMBLE
To create this serve , you ’ ll need :
• 50 ml Canterbury Blackcurrant & Honey Gin
• 25 ml lemon juice
• 3 / 4 tbsp sugar syrup
• Ice cubes
• Crushed ice
• 3 / 4 tbsp Crème de Cassis or Crème de Mûre
• 1 lemon slice and a blackberry to serve
1 . Shake the Canterbury Blackcurrant & Honey Gin , lemon juice and sugar syrup in a cocktail shaker with around 6 - 8 ice cubes .
2 . Strain into a tumbler full of crushed ice .
3 . Gently drizzle the Crème de Mure over the top so it moves down into the drink .
4 . Garnish with the lemon slice and blackberry , if using .
FOR CHRISTMAS DAY , MAKE YOUR BRAMBLE ROYALE ...
Glam up your Bramble with a little fizz . Make the drink using one of the two versions above , but with less crushed ice , just about a third full leaving enough room for the fizz of your choice . Then top with 25 - 50 ml of Champagne , prosecco , or cava , mix gently , add a bit more crushed ice , garnish and serve .
Terlingham Vineyard ’ s Bacchus Dry Gin
Perhaps distilling in Kent wouldn ’ t be quite as Kentish without some influence from our famous vines . A coastal vineyard with gorgeous views over the English Channel , Terlingham Vineyard has really branched out with their Bacchus Dry Gin . Proud to be accredited by Sustainable Wines of Great Britain , enjoy a glass of Terlingham knowing that the grapes have been grown , and the wine ( or gin !) has been made , by a family that has genuinely worked hard to conserve the environment , promote biodiversity and mitigate against climate change by minimising their carbon footprint .
Inspired by their wines , the Bacchus Dry Gin is a classic dry gin . Jackie , one of the sisters behind Terlingham Vineyard , tells us that this gold-award winner is : “ small batch and handmade with love , just like we do everything here at Terlingham . We ’ ve crafted a very special gin using our award-winning Bacchus wine as the magic ingredient . We start with traditional juniper and add some locally found botanicals – rhubarb and nettle . Our award-winning Bacchus wine gives it a delicate sweetness with notes of elderflower . Then fresh lime and orange peel before finally , we add a touch of honey in the distillation .”
Made with the last of Terlingham ’ s 2020 Bacchus wine , they ’ ve only produced 1,300 bottles of this once-in-alifetime gin !
Jackie suggests that this Christmas , the Terlingham Bacchus Dry Gin should be used to make a Bee ’ s Knees . “ The Bee ’ s Knees is a classic cocktail made with gin , lemon and honey !” She says . “ This recipe is strong , refreshing and delicious so it ’ s great to drink while you ' re cooking up your Christmas feast or to serve as a first drink to guests arriving at a party .”
TERLINGHAM VINEYARD ’ S BEES KNEES To create this serve , you ’ ll need :
• 15 ml of Kentish honey syrup
• 30 ml lemon juice ( about half a medium lemon )
• 2 shots of Terlingham Bacchus Dry Gin
• Lemon twist for garnish
1 . Start by making the honey syrup by combining equal parts Kentish honey and water ( two tablespoons each if you ’ re only making a few cocktails ) in a microwavesafe bowl or small saucepan .
2 . Warm in the microwave or over the stovetop just until you can completely stir the honey into the water .
3 . Add the gin and garnish with the lemon twist .
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