After the recent news of the slow ease of restrictions, we are now ever more hopeful for the summer. Therefore, in our book, that means we need a drink – or drinks – to celebrate! Check out our guide to the boozier side of the Isle of Wight before giving our cocktail the ‘Wylde Meadow Fizz’ a try… Maybe for the weekly zoom with the girls or, if you haven’t got one scheduled, do it now and share this with them.
The Isle of Wight provides the perfect backdrop for all types of holiday but one thing they all have in common is the need for a decent tipple. It’d be rude not to sample the local delicacies when visiting a place. The Island is home to a thriving food and drink scene with a huge selection of local, high quality, products. Why not visit the source and see where they’re made, and check out the local establishments that sell them?
Go directly to the source – see where and how it’s made…
Isle of Wight Distillery, near Ryde – home of Mermaid Gin. Go and see where the gin is made and how, then have a drink in The Mermaid Bar. Immerse yourselves in the world of spirits and learn the best serve, with views of the stills. Whether a gin aficionado or novice, the distillery’s talks and tastings give remarkable access and unrivalled insight into the distillation process.
We also have a really fun ‘Gin Experience’ picnic on our books for those gin fanatics!
Boojum & Snark, Sandown – a taproom, pico-brewery, art gallery and micro-museum named after a Lewis Carrol poem penned while he was staying in Sandown. The Island’s first and only dedicated craft beer taproom. With beers on tap from many small and super-craft breweries, they also produce their own beer made on their diddy Brewmagic electric kit. So get a dose of culture as you browse the gallery’s exhibits and enjoy one of the many beers available.
Adgestone Vineyard, near Sandown – offers the full grape to glass experience, with guided audio tours around the 10 acre site amongst the huge variety of vines. Learning about all aspects of viticulture, the growing season and some interesting history leading up to the successful modern English wines. Then it’s on to the cellar to see where the magic happens and wine is made. The tour finishes with you learning some expert sommelier tips and tricks in the wine tasting session, where you’ll sample the wines and can pick the brains of the expert staff.
Cocktails and Fizz – where to get a round in
Drunken Lobster, Ventnor – The newest kid on the block from the Smoking Lobster team, who are also opening a new site in Cowes. The Drunken lobster, though – perhaps as the name suggests – is very much about the cocktails. Choose from their expertly designed cocktail list with that all important Asian twist. Accompanied by chef-made Asian light bites on their tapas style menu. They even have a private room you can hire for you and your group to get a truly exclusive dining experience.
Artisan, Ryde – Artisan is known for their very own dedicated gin and cocktail lounge alongside the main bar. Here, sit back and enjoy as the Artisan resident mixologist mixes you up something special, or talks you through the vast gin list, making sure you can enjoy the perfect tipple. You can hire out the lounge for your own private group where they even offer the opportunity to have your own cocktail masterclass.
Gastronomy, Cowes – known more for their tasty culinary delight – the locals of Cowes know that Gastronomy has their own dedicated cocktail list that is as tasty as the food they serve. They like to make the classics but with their own unique twist, such the Cinnamon Spiced Espresso Martini, the Pineapple and Stormy Cocktail, and the Rum and Passionfruit Iced Tea, to name but a few. Stay for dinner and you won’t be disappointed.
Isle of Wight Made – drink like a local
Isle of Wight Cocktail Company – Wight Lady Martini is one of the creations from the magician mixologists of the Isle of Wight Cocktails Company, who are known for their iconic Old Fashioned, Espresso Martini, and Bloody Hell Mary, among others. The Wight Lady Martini is a gin based cocktail with just 3 simple ingredients to make a perfectly balanced drink with a clean finish and a smooth and silky head.
We often include these amazing cocktails in our packages!
Tipsy Wight – Wild Mint & Cucumber Vodka Liqueur is made from three fairly unusual and flavoursome cucumber varieties (Sumter, Vectina and Alibi) blended with wild mint all grown in the gardens of the Tipsy Wight farm to produce a delicious and refreshing taste for the summer. Serve neat over ice, or make into a longer drink by pairing with a tonic or a soda.
Goddards Planet Lager – The Island’s first Vegan lager is also gluten free, from the Island’s longest established brewery. Brewed using local malted ‘Planet’ barley, Pilsner and Vienna malt, lightly hopped with an enticing mix of new and old world hops. It has a dry, crisp & clean flavour with an aromatic expression of fruity and herbal notes. Goddards are more famously known for their ales but Planet Lager is pretty special.
So now you fancy a little something yes? Here’s our very own Wyldesistas cocktail recipe!
Wylde Meadow Fizz (Serves 1)
all of the experiences and venues above can be included in your Wyldesistas getaway