5 AF Drinks to Toast to England at the Ashes - Wise Bartender

5 AF Drinks to Toast to England at the Ashes

Spring is coming to a close which means the nation’s favourite sporting season is upon us. With June approaching, we relish the dawn of the annual rivalry that arises between England and Australia with the Ashes 2023 looming on the horizon.

Following Australia’s win in 2022, it is difficult to avoid rallying behind our team this year, but the most important question of all remains to be answered: which drinks will we be sipping as we do so?

At Wise Bartender, we know that nothing brings Brits together like sports and a refreshing beverage so we’ve compiled a list of libations that are ideal for showing your sporting spirit, from wherever you’re toasting England. 

1. Maiden Mill Mimosa

The Ashes is due to run through the peak of summer so what better way to wet your whistle while you watch than a cool glass of Maiden Mill?

Just picture it: you’re out in the baking heat, the sun is beating down on your face, England scores a run and you reach for your pint glass that is beading with drops of condensation. You feel the refreshing chill of a cold glass against your hand and lift it in the air before taking a long swig to cheer your country on.

This Somerset swill, whilst the perfect beverage on its own, can also be transformed into something rather classy if drinking it solo just isn’t for you. Our Alcohol-Free Apple Cider Mimosa recipe is one to watch this sporting season because it’s easy, energising and celebratory.

Maiden Mill Mimosa

Ingredients:

  • 1 part Maiden Mill 'Voyage' Golden Medium Alcohol Free Cider
  • 4 parts Alt Alcohol Free Organic Sparkling Wine

Recipe:

  1. Fill ¼ of a champagne flute with Maiden Mill
  2. Top up with Alt Alcohol Free Organic Sparkling Wine

Tip-top tipple advice: Dust your glass with cinnamon sugar to transform this drink from a springtime sip to an autumnal alcohol-free tipple.

2. Alcohol Free Pimms

Pimms might not be top of your list when it comes to cricket themed bevvys but it’s certainly a brilliant communal drink for hot weather and emulating the pub garden feeling from your own home.

Our Anon Alcohol-Free English Garden Spirit is the ideal AF alternative to Pimms and creates a truly summery, fruity feeling that is ideal for spending hours outdoors watching cricket matches.

Iced Tea Cocktail

The best alcohol-free Pimms recipe:

  1. Prepare your pitcher with plenty of ice
  2. Stir in blends of summer fruits like strawberries, cucumber, orange and mint
  3. Combine our Anon Alcohol-Free English Garden Spirit with lemonade, tonic or alcohol-free prosecco
  4. Pour over the ice and fruit mixture
  5. Serve the pitchers on your drinks table

Tip-top tipple advice: For extra flourish, serve your fruit separately and allow your guests to choose their own garnish. 

3. Beer Bottled

We wouldn’t be English if we didn’t suggest coming together through sport with a pint of beer in hand. Now, you might be wondering whether beer really is the most appropriate drink for the ashes. The answer is: absolutely! This quintessential tournament that pits England against Australia is the perfect time to celebrate the great English breweries and come together over a mutual love of sporting spirit and the nation’s favourite cooler.

Beer Bottled


Our recommendations: 

The Gimlet is a citrus and lime heavy cocktail that was drunk by naval officers for medicinal purposes, but don’t let this put you off. Comprising 3 very simple ingredients, this gin soaked English tipple is a clever way to nod to the historical sporting rivalry between England and Australia by referencing the famed Gimlet restaurant in Melbourne in a stunningly British way.

Its sharp kick will keep you alert throughout the match as you salute England’s successes

Iced Tea Cocktail

Ingredients:

  • 2 ½ ounces Gordon's 0.0 Alcohol Free Spirit
  • ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
  • ½ ounce sugar syrup

Recipe:

  1. Combine the ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker or stir well with a cocktail spoon
  2. Strain into a tall glace over ice
  3. Garnish with a slice of lime

5. Iced Tea Cocktail

The British sporting spirit is matched by our nation’s rigorous dedication to drinking yards of tea at any given opportunity.

Bad day at work? Have a cup of tea. Sleepy morning? Have a cup of tea. Hot summer’s day? Have a cup of iced tea. Celebrating an annual cricket tournament with a touch of irony and a warm dose of English wit? Whip yourself some spiked Iced Tea Cocktails. 

No, we’re not talking about Long Island Iced Teas; we mean a proper English brew with a large dram of alcohol-free whisky.

Iced Tea Cocktail

Ingredients:

  • 1 large cup of peach iced tea
  • 1 ounce CleanCo Clean W Whisky Alternative Alcohol Free Spirit
  • 1 ounce MONIN Peach Syrup
  • Mint leaves
  • Peach wedges

Recipe:

  1. Add a few cubes of ice to a highball glass
  2. Add the CleanCo Whisky and Peach Syrup
  3. Top up with you Iced Tea and stir gently
  4. Garnish with a few peach slices and mint leaves if you prefer

    Wherever you plan to enjoy the 2023 Ashes, Wise Bartender has plenty of alcohol-free alternatives for you to sample. We stock a wide range of alcohol-free gin, cider, wine and even fruity soda options that you can crack open before the tournament begins.
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