The 'Great British' Wingfield gin aperitif

A contemporary new summer drink, The Wingfield, is making its debut in Harvey Nichols stores. The gin aperitif is a blend of small batch London Dry Gin, cucumber, pink grapefruit, elderflower and other fruits and spices.

Created by Simon Weston and Charles Smith, co-founders of Pontoon, a ‘liquid research and development laboratory’ that selects ingredients from producers from around the world and blends these into high quality drinks.

Simon Weston, comments: “Our namesake was an innovator too - Major Walter Clopton Wingfield pioneered lawn tennis in the 1870’s and changed the face of the British summer and we’d settle for nothing less.

"The Wingfield is distinctly different. It’s a modern gin aperitif blended to have a unique signature. It tastes like a garden at dusk -clean and fresh with complex layers of quintessential summer flavours. I can’t think of a better way to enjoy an afternoon al fresco with a glass of what’s set to become an iconic British drink!”

The Wingfield has been described as a sophisticated alternative to Pimm’s and Aperol; fresh and perfectly balanced with a dry finish.

A series of tastings in al fresco venues, hosted by Wingfield ambassadors, is planned for spring/early summer as well as the marketing and PR campaign around the launch -“I’d rather have a Wingfield” targeting 25-40 year old men and women.

While the Wingfield is versatile and can be drunk chilled straight from the fridge or served on the rocks, the signature serve is The Wingfield Spritz, topped with chilled soda water and garnished with an orange twist.

RRP £25.99 to £34.99 for a 70cl bottle at 23.3% ABV. Stockists: Harvey Nichols’ seven stores throughout the UK.

Bottle design: Stranger & Stranger.

23 March 2016 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor