Celebrate the ‘Downton Abbey’ Movie With These Themed Foods: Gin, Tea and More

Credit: Lot18; Highclere Castle Gin

Celebrate the ‘Downton Abbey’ Movie With These Themed Foods: Gin, Tea and More

Who is ready to head back to Downton? The fictional locale, which served as the setting for the critically acclaimed Downton Abbey TV series, is slated to be back in the spotlight on Friday, September 20, when the Downton Abbey film hits the big screen in the U.S. In anticipation of the movie’s upcoming release, Us Weekly has rounded up several themed foods to celebrate the flick with. Not surprisingly, many of the eats (and drinks) are decidedly English, just like the beloved drama. [ami-related id="1395882" url="https://www.usmagazine.com/food/pictures/stars-with-successful-alcohol-brands-ryan-reynolds-diddy-more/" title="Stars With Successful Alcohol Brands" target="" showsubt="false" thumb="false" imgsrc="https://www.usmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/LVE-Wines.jpg"] For example, last month, The Republic of Tea created a line of soothing drinks inspired by various members of the wealthy Crawley clan. The collection includes a trio of teas each inspired by a pair of Downton’s strong-willed characters. One such blend, Lord & Lady Grantham’s Tea, features a combination of traditional black tea and rich, fragrant spices that make this a beverage fit for royalty – just like its namesakes. If you’re in the mood to raise a proper glass in honor of the Downton Abbey movie instead, the recently launched Highclere Castle Gin, which is made with botanicals from the castle’s herb gardens as well as Highclere’s acclaimed estate-grown oats, will likely do the trick. As Downton fans may know, Highclere Castle serves as the “real” Downton, the fictional estate of Lord and Lady Grantham. The castle’s real-life residents are actually Lady and Lord Carnarvon, who is a godson of Queen Elizabeth II. [jwplayer ZJNBMein-l3ahXupL] The Earls of Carnarvon have lived at Highclere Castle since 1679, around the time when gin emerged in England and juniper has grown wildly on the estate since the ancient Roman days. The spirit features a delicate balance of juniper, lime flower, orange peel and a touch of lavender. Integrating Highclere’s acclaimed estate-grown oats into the blend adds a unique smoothness and a long, memorable finish. Scroll down for even more Downton-themed foods!

Credit: Lot18; Highclere Castle Gin

Celebrate the ‘Downton Abbey’ Movie With These Themed Foods: Gin, Tea and More

Who is ready to head back to Downton? The fictional locale, which served as the setting for the critically acclaimed Downton Abbey TV series, is slated to be back in the spotlight on Friday, September 20, when the Downton Abbey film hits the big screen in the U.S. In anticipation of the movie’s upcoming release, Us Weekly has rounded up several themed foods to celebrate the flick with. Not surprisingly, many of the eats (and drinks) are decidedly English, just like the beloved drama. [ami-related id="1395882" url="https://www.usmagazine.com/food/pictures/stars-with-successful-alcohol-brands-ryan-reynolds-diddy-more/" title="Stars With Successful Alcohol Brands" target="" showsubt="false" thumb="false" imgsrc="https://www.usmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/LVE-Wines.jpg"] For example, last month, The Republic of Tea created a line of soothing drinks inspired by various members of the wealthy Crawley clan. The collection includes a trio of teas each inspired by a pair of Downton’s strong-willed characters. One such blend, Lord & Lady Grantham’s Tea, features a combination of traditional black tea and rich, fragrant spices that make this a beverage fit for royalty – just like its namesakes. If you’re in the mood to raise a proper glass in honor of the Downton Abbey movie instead, the recently launched Highclere Castle Gin, which is made with botanicals from the castle’s herb gardens as well as Highclere’s acclaimed estate-grown oats, will likely do the trick. As Downton fans may know, Highclere Castle serves as the “real” Downton, the fictional estate of Lord and Lady Grantham. The castle’s real-life residents are actually Lady and Lord Carnarvon, who is a godson of Queen Elizabeth II. [jwplayer ZJNBMein-l3ahXupL] The Earls of Carnarvon have lived at Highclere Castle since 1679, around the time when gin emerged in England and juniper has grown wildly on the estate since the ancient Roman days. The spirit features a delicate balance of juniper, lime flower, orange peel and a touch of lavender. Integrating Highclere’s acclaimed estate-grown oats into the blend adds a unique smoothness and a long, memorable finish. Scroll down for even more Downton-themed foods!

Credit: The Republic of Tea

The Republic of Tea’s Downton Abbey Collection

This limited-edition line of teas includes three classic English beverages. Each offering has a distinct taste and is named for a pair of beloved Downton characters, such as the aforementioned Lord & Lady Grantham’s Tea. A second blend, Violet & Mary’s Tea, is inspired by the formidable grandmother-granddaughter duo and creates a “strong-willed cup” thanks to notes of ginger, orange bergamot, mint and lemon thyme. The “sophisticated herbal tea,” which is caffeine-free, apparently also has the power to soften even the sharpest of tongues.

Republic of Tea’s collection also includes a variety modeled after the Bates.

Credit: Lot18

The Downton Abbey Wine Collection

This three-wine line from winemaker Lot18 was crafted in honor of Downton Abbey’s big screen debut. The new collection includes a Downton Abbey Sparkling Rosé from Val de Loire, France, a 2018 Downton Abbey Bordeaux Blanc from Bordeaux, France, and a 2018 Downton Abbey Bordeaux Rouge that also hails from Bordeaux. That final opaque blend, shown above, is described as “elegant and rich, with aromas of red, blackberry and blackcurrant.” The wine features a remarkable balance and complexity, velvety tannins and a long and tasty finish confirming the anticipated aromas.

Credit: Highclere Castle Gin

Highclere Castle Gin

This super-premium London Dry Gin is made with botanicals from Highclere Castle’s (a.k.a. the “real” Downton) herb gardens as well as Highclere’s acclaimed estate-grown oats. Furthermore, the spirit comes in a custom glass bottle, designed and manufactured in England, which is inspired by the castle and its architect, Sir Charles Barry. The vessel’s shape invokes the symbol of the main tower at Highclere, while the deep purple glass recognizes the Carnarvon family’s heritage and captures the brand’s premium qualities.

Distilled above an ancient underground water source, Highclere Castle Gin is produced in England’s oldest gin distillery in one of the oldest working copper gin stills dating back to the 1800s.

Credit: Cocktail Collective

Downton Abbey Whisky

The U.K. distillery Harrogate Tipple released its own themed gin earlier this month, along with an 80-proof whiskey inspired by the period drama. This particular libation is made at the distillery, which "is located between the Northern England towns of Ripon, York and Harrogate,” home to the fictional Downton Abbey estate.

"We are excited to bring Downton Abbey to life for fans of the series with a range of authentic, high quality spirits that evokes the flavors and style of the show's post-Edwardian era," Harrogate Tipple founder Steven Green said in the announcement. "We are the only distillery in the fictional Downton Abbey region, and we also have an ethos of super-local provenance and a 'quality first' approach to distilling that [master distiller Tom Nichol's] half a century of experience brings to all our products."

Credit: Amazon

The Official Downton Abbey Cookbook

Slated to be released on Tuesday, September 17, this thoroughly researched cookbook from food historian Annie Gray includes authentic, delicious period recipes, accompanied by images of the Downton Abbey cast, and is the only officially sanctioned cookbook from the franchise. The tome presents over 100 recipes that showcase the cookery of the Crawley household – from “upstairs” sumptuous dinner party centerpieces to comforting “downstairs” puddings and pies. The dishes are grouped by occasion, which include breakfast; luncheons and suppers; afternoon tea and garden parties; picnics, shoots and more.