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Highclere Castle’s own gin brand was celebrated at a special evening party at the home of Downton Abbey

Highclere Castle Gin

In the home of fictional Downton Abbey during the height of the COVID pandemic, the real lady of the house enjoyed sharing a new concept: Virtual cocktail hour with tens of thousands of online guests.

On Sept. 19, as the sun set on a late summer day, Lady Carnarvon — or ‘Lady C’ as her staff affectionately calls her — and her husband Lord Carnarvon hosted guests at the magnificent home, which doubles as the TV location.

Highclere House, located about 65 miles west of London, serves as the backdrop for the beloved TV and movie series, with a new film scheduled for release next September. On this particular evening, the event showcased the art of hosting in the 17^th century castle as it might have occurred in historical times.

Highclere Castle Gin

Similar to the fictional butler Mr. Carson from Downton Abbey, Highclere’s Luis Coelho adeptly mixed and served cocktails in the grand hall. Highclere Castle’s own gin brand was the highlight of this special evening.

The event featured the “Lavender Lady,” a cocktail composed of Highclere gin, lavender syrup created by Coelho, aquafaba, and lemon juice. Another standout was the “Brit 75,” a concoction of gin infused with butterfly pea blossoms giving it a lilac hue, mixed with lemon juice and sparkling wine, naturally sourced from Highclere.

Also on the drink menu was a classic gin and tonic with a signature sprig of rosemary, and a Negroni.

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“A few years ago, 80,000 people watched us drink cocktails, getting dressed up to join us online,” Lady Carnarvon said proudly. “There are around 80 here today.”

Since those virtual parties, the gin brand has thrived in the niche gin market, using botanicals from the orangery at the stately home’s garden, or tapping into history to create new versions.

Highclere Castle Gin

In the library of the expansive estate with over 250 rooms, family photos and portraits are comfortably displayed, including those of the late Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, showcasing their connections with the British royal lineage (Lord Carnarvon was one of Queen Elizabeth’s godsons).

Accompanied by nostalgic tunes from the post-Second World War era, Brandyn Shaw and his orchestra delivered a performance at the end of the library.

As he surveyed the vast hall, Lord Carnarvon remarked to his visitors, “My ancestors were renowned hosts. Imagine the lavish gatherings the 5^th Earl would have thrown! No doubt, gin cocktails were in abundance.”

Highclere Castle Gin

The castle has been a focal point for royalty, politicians, literary and musical icons. Yet, it gained worldwide recognition through a television series, as seen in various rooms. Portraits and scenes from Downton Abbey featuring Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, and Michelle Dockery are displayed on easels in the library, drawing room, and hallway, showing visitors the settings of the popular drama.

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Highclere Castle Gin

They have recently bid farewell to the Downton Abbey crew after 12 weeks of on-site filming completed, with the film now progressing to its next production stages, slated for release in September 2025.

Like countless fans, Lady C is eagerly awaiting to see how the narrative unfolds.

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