The UK celebrates a special extended bank holiday this weekend (June 2-5) to provide an opportunity for communities to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Here are some of the drinks that have been released for the occasion.
KEEPR’s honey-infused artisan spirits has created a limited-edition bottle to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee. Just 840 bottles – the number of months that the Queen has reigned – are available in the UK.
The one-off 70cl bottle offers KEEPR’s signature, premium Classic London Dry Gin infused with 100% pure honey from apiaries in Windsor Great Park, creating ‘a delicately sweet twist to a quintessentially British premium spirit’ (42% ABV).
The glass bottle is matt purple - representing Her Majesty’s 70 years on the throne - and displays the official platinum and royal purple emblem for the Jubilee; a continuous platinum line revealing a stylised St Edward’s Crown and the number 70 on a round purple background to drive the association with royalty and signify a royal seal.
Stuart Fritz, Commercial Director at KEEPR’s, commented: “KEEPR’s Platinum Jubilee edition will be welcome fixture for retailers looking to cater for the occasion and consumers who are ready to make the most of the long weekend with friends. We expect British spirits and drinks to take on increased relevance and take pride of place at get togethers as the nation embraces the opportunity to celebrate.
“KEEPR’s is inextricably linked to the natural environment and British beekeeping; we’re incredibly proud of our British provenance. Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee reflects these values and so it felt right to create something truly special that will power UK retailers to get behind the sales opportunity while appealing to consumers seeking something reflective of the festivities and wanting mark this once-in-a-lifetime celebration.”
The bottle is the first expression in KEEPR’S new-look range which features a contemporary bee-themed bottle design, incorporating elements of the hexagonal honeycomb pattern, a unique bee-themed tapered shape reflecting the tail of a honeybee, and intricate bee imagery on the bottle stopper and label. It is made from 50% recycled glass.
Upmarket supermarket M&S has launched a Platinum Jubilee Ale for the occasion.
Presented in a 660ml bottle with a shimmering silver label, the brew is made using exclusively Sovereign hops (The hop is an English variety, first bred at Wye College in the 1990s, with 'floral, herbal and earthy tones')
Aldi has launched a light-up British Strawberry and Mint Glitter Gin to celebrate the Jubilee.
The special edition of the Infusionist Gin range lights up and shimmers.
“The Queen is known to be partial to a gin, so it seems only right to launch a special jubilicious tipple in commemoration of the historical anniversary,” says the supermarket.
“Encapsulating the taste of a picture-perfect British summer, the new liqueur boasts flavours of jammy British strawberries, with a hint of mint to balance. Delicious served with tonic, an orange garnish and plenty of ice for a classic Jubilee G&T.
“Aldi’s regal gin liqueur is presented in a sparkling light-up bottle, creating a festive red, white, and blue glow, as well as platinum-coloured flakes that sparkle in the sun – the perfect centre piece for street and garden parties.”
Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I, part of AB InBev, is part of an industry-wide collaboration to launch a new limited edition beer called Thank Brew for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend (June 2-5), with all profits going to charity.
With pubs and bars across the country expected to have one of their biggest weekends of the year on the Bank Holiday weekend, a total of 34 breweries are delivering the 3.5% ABV single hop Pale Ale made with 100% British malt, hops and Nottingham ale yeast.
Budweiser Brewing Group apprentices play a crucial role in the business and this initiative will be spearheaded by Jack Cavanagh, who began his apprenticeship earlier this year. Jack will be leading a team of four to produce the limited edition Thank Brew at the Group Global Research Pilot Brewery, where he has held the position of Front Line Manager since 2020. The brewery is based at the University of Nottingham and part of AB InBev’s Global Innovation and Technology Centre, which opened in 2011. The beer will be available for consumers to purchase during the Jubilee Weekend.
The special edition beer has been created by social enterprise The Good Beer and will raise funds for the following charities: The Together Coalition; Eden Project communities; and Reset Communities and Refugees (supporting Ukrainian refugees arriving in the UK).
This is the second charity beer that Budweiser Brewing Group has produced this year: the first being Chernigivski, the Ukraine’s most loved beer, which is now brewed in its Samlesbury brewery, Lancashire and available at major retailers, some of the largest pub groups, and online. All Budweiser Brewing Group profits from the sale of Chernigivski will go to the humanitarian relief efforts in the Ukraine and border areas.
Stirling Distillery, situated in the shadow of Stirling Castle, has launched a limited edition Platinum gin.
Created to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, there will be only 500 of these special bottles created. Gin lovers can pour themselves a G&T fit for a Queen and party like a royal at Jubilee celebrations across the UK with this eye-catching bottle.
As Stirling Distillery has a royal connection - James VI is said to have stabled his horses where the ‘Old Smiddy’ building sits – it wanted to pay homage to Her Majesty and her 70 years of service with this striking bottle of nettle-based classic gin.
Designed by graphic designer Megan Raine and distillery co-founder June McCann, the bottle celebrates the Stirlingshire nettles that gives their gin the unique flavour of Stirlingshire’s countryside.
Presented in a regal laurel wreath design with royal crowns hidden through the design, those who get their hands on a bottle can win tickets to a gin tasting at the distillery if they find the crown locations and tag @Stirlingdistillery on social media.
Hand-dipped in a platinum coloured wax seal, the bottle is filled with Stirling Distillery’s signature nettle gin. Made with carefully chosen botanicals including basil and citrus peel to create a complex spirit, the smooth, lingering finish carries a peppery tang that is both spicy and dry. By using local nettles the distillery are working to provide a sustainably sourced spirit.
Royal Collection Trust has released a special edition English Sparkling Wine in celebration of the Platinum Jubilee.
The vintage sparkling wine is a classic blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, made exclusively from hand-picked fruit grown on vineyards in Kent and West Sussex. Gold in colour, it has ‘enticing aromas of rich and honeyed citrus fruit, white peach and hints of sweet spices’.
The wine can be enjoyed as an aperitif and pairs particularly well with mature English cheddar. It also complements British seafood, such as crab, langoustines or classic fish and chips, making the wine a perfect addition to Platinum Jubilee celebrations this summer.
The label design takes inspiration from the gold embroidery on Her Majesty’s Robe of Estate, worn on the Coronation Day, 2 June 1953. A crowned EIIR cypher is surrounded by golden olive leaves and ears of wheat to symbolise peace and plenty.
All profits from sales of the sparkling wine and champagne flutes go to The Royal Collection Trust, a registered charity, and help fund the care and conservation of the Royal Collection, and the promotion of access and enjoyment of the Collection through exhibitions, publications, loans and educational programmes.
Alcohol-free brewers Nirvana Brewery and speciality AF retailer Wise Bartender are bringing back their Elderflower Lager limited-edition collaboration for the Jubilee.
In what the duo believes to be a first in the realm of non-alcoholic beers, they have brewed a classic lager lifted with the addition of seasonal elderflower essence, coming in at 0.5% ABV.
Dreamt up and brewed in Nirvana’s own East London premises, the UK’s only brewery dedicated to alcohol-free beer, the beer was fermented low and slow just like a good lager should be. A generous addition of seasonal elderflower essence brings just the right balance of sweet and floral flavours to the beer, with the lager base lending sweet biscuit malts and a balanced flavour.
Vienna malts bring characteristic lager aromas on the pour, giving a straw-coloured body. The brew was dry hopped with a light touch of Cascade to bolster its floral and fruity characters before the final addition of the elderflower essence, resulting in a bev which is deliciously thirst-quenching and undeniably moreish.
Becky Kean, Co-founder at Nirvana Brewery said: “We’re really excited to bring back this very popular special with long time Nirvana stockist and AF superstar Wise Bartender for this beer! As the alcohol-free beer pioneers in the UK, creating new styles and innovating is at the heart of what we do, so when they originally approached us asking if we could make their dream of an alcohol-free Elderflower Lager a reality, we jumped at the chance to bring something fresh to the market!”
“At Nirvana, we’re all about bringing people together for social occasions. With elderflower being the quintessential scent of a British summer, we think this beer is the perfect tipple to share with friends and family over the Jubilee celebrations.”
Campari has created a Platinum Jubilee Negroni serve to celebrate the Jubilee.
The serve uses Campari and gin with the twist of Dubonnet – ‘known to be the Queen’s favorite tipple’ – in place of the usual sweet vermouth.
Paolo Tonellotto, bartender and Campari Cocktail Expert said: “The Negroni was created for an Italian count, so it seems fitting to create this version for a British monarch. It brings a touch of Milan to Windsor, combining two of her favourite drinks with CAMPARI. We’re sure this regal take on the world’s favourite cocktail will surprise and delight the British public over Jubilee weekend.
“We’ve seen the Negroni gain in popularity, with the public creating numerous twists and variations of their own, so we’re thrilled to add this very special, very royal Negroni to the mix. It’s equally at home at garden parties and street parties as it is with some elegant aperitivo.”
The Platinum Jubilee Negroni can be enjoyed at home, or at Eve Bar in Central London – who will be serving up 70 complimentary Platinum Jubilee Negroni’s across Platinum Jubilee weekend.
The Platinum Jubilee Negroni Recipe:
- 1 part CAMPARI (25ml)
- 1 part Gin (25ml)
- 1 part Dubonnet (25ml)
- 1 orange slice garnish
- 1 lemon peel
- Pour the Campari, Gin and Dubonnet into the glass with ice, stir, and add the garnishes.
Independent family brewer Shepherd Neame has brewed a limited edition Celebration Ale to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
The bespoke English ale (4.8% ABV) will be available on draught at a selection of its pubs throughout Kent, London and the South East during the extended Jubilee bank holiday weekend (Thursday, 2 June – Sunday, 5 June).
Crafted by Shepherd Neame’s Master Brewers using the best of British barley, Celebration Ale ‘boasts light caramel notes and a deep golden hue. Local East Kent Goldings hops add a spiciness to the citrus and fruit aromas, balanced with subtle bitterness from a generous hopping of Kentish Challenger’.
Shepherd Neame has a long association with the Royal family, holding Royal Warrants for its Grants Morella Cherry Brandy and flagship Spitfire Amber Ale.
Chief Executive Jonathan Neame said: “We have always supported the Queen’s Jubilees with a special beer, and are delighted to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee with this Celebration Ale. We hope that our customers will enjoy raising a glass to toast this very special occasion!”
Silent Pool Gin has released a limited-edition celebratory gin, with a signature bottle from glass packaging company Croxsons.
“The bottle was created with the vision of celebrating the once in a lifetime occasion that is Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, while still be recognisably a Silent Pool Gin product,” said Sophie Best, Silent Pool’s operations director. “For this we turned our now iconic copper pattern a gorgeous shade of platinum and created metallic, platinum coloured stickers that are placed on the belly and neck of the bottle, depicting the dates of Her Majesty’s reign.“
