The Jubilee weekend is fast approaching and we’re all looking forward to raising a toast to Queen Elizabeth and her 70 years on the throne. In true British fashion, our prep is well underway for an amazing party and if you’re also getting ready for your celebrations, we’re here to help...
Here are our top tips for throwing an incredible Platinum Jubilee party, Slingsby Gin style!
Cheers to Queen Liz!
A party isn’t a party without some amazing drinks, and for the Jubilee it should definitely be the Queen’s favourite spirit; gin.
If you’re thinking of serving Slingsby Gin, make sure you have everything you need for our signature serves. This means our perfect pairing of tonic and garnishes that guarantee an amazing gin and tonic every time. For example, you’ll need Elderflower tonic for your Yorkshire Rhubarb gin and Mediterranean for Gooseberry!
For ease, you could always offer guests canned G&Ts – or keep them for yourself! Our Solo range includes our core flavoured gins, and they taste wonderful. The addition of a Slingsby cool bag will ensure your cans are kept nice and cool if your celebrations continue into the evening.
A Jubilee party is the perfect excuse to get the pitchers and jugs out and fill them with cocktails. You could even fill up some Kilner jars with the pre-made mixtures so that your guests can help themselves. Our new Platinum Punch is a delicious cocktail, as well as our Slingsby Sangria with London Dry gin. Don’t forget to accommodate your guests who aren’t drinking alcohol too – and make sure you have lots of garnishes alongside ice so that people can help themselves and add extra flavour (and aesthetics) to their cocktails.
Anyone for high tea?
Get into the royal spirit and create an afternoon tea-inspired spread of sandwiches, pastries and fruits to cater for the range of your guests. It’s always a good idea to ask friends/family to bring a dish themselves too – just to lighten the load and means you can focus on drinks.
When it comes to sweet treats, we’re thinking ‘Best of British’; scones, meringues with fruit, Victoria sponge cake fingers and fondant fancies. Not quite the baker? You could always support your local bakery – Mama Doreens and Bettys are our favourites and have seriously delicious baked treats.
Fingers crossed the weather is on our side and you can cool down with some Slingsby ice lollies. Our favourite recipe uses our award-winning Rhubarb gin:
1 part Slingsby Rhubarb Gin
4 parts Fentimans Rose Lemonade
1 tbsp agave syrup
Fresh raspberries
INSTRUCTIONS: In a jug, mix Slingsby Rhubarb Gin with Fentimans Rose Lemonade and squeeze into the mixture 1 tbsp of agave syrup. Add two fresh raspberries into each ice lolly mould and divide the mixture between each. Freeze for 1 - 2 hours until semi-frozen and then push the sticks into place. Leave in the freezer until fully set and enjoy!
Top tip: As tempting as it is, please don't be too heavy with the gin as your lollies won't set!
Celebrate street party style
Not sure how to decorate? Now is the time to embrace the Union Jack in all its glory but try and avoid over doing it. First things first, you need to get a long table and a white tablecloth. See this is a blank canvas that you can decorate freely with paper plates, Union Jack napkins, plastic cups, bunting and much more. Ginger Ray and Marks & Spencer have an amazing selection to help you get kitted out for your Jubilee celebrations.
If you’re keeping things informal, lay the food in the centre for people to pick and choose from and if you’re going for place settings, add a personal touch to everyone’s seat with a miniature bottle of Slingsby gin as a gift.
When it comes to entertainment, find your favourite ‘Best of British’ playlists on Spotify to get everyone in the mood for a day of festivities and if you’ve got the space, keep your guests amused with lawn games. Boules and ring toss are both great ways to get everyone in the spirit and having fun no matter their age.
From all of Team Slingsby, we hope you have a wonderful time celebrating the Platinum Jubilee! If you include Slingsby Gin in your celebrations, don’t forget to tag us @slingsbysocial on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.