From Crisis to Creation: How 122,000 Wimbledon Strawberries Became Liquid Gold
When the world stopped in 2020, one distillery saw opportunity where others saw waste. This is the story of how Sipsmith transformed sporting tragedy into spirited triumph with the creation of Sipsmith Strawberry Smash Gin.
The Rescue Mission That Changed Everything
Picture the scene: Wimbledon 2020, cancelled. The hallowed courts of the All England Club silent for the first time since World War II. But perhaps most heartbreaking of all – 122,000 perfect strawberries from Hugh Lowe Farms in Kent, destined for Centre Court’s finest moments, suddenly facing the compost heap.
Enter Sipsmith, London’s gin revolutionaries who had already made history by becoming the capital’s first new distillery in 189 years. Master Distiller Jared Brown and his team saw what others missed: not waste, but opportunity. Every single berry was rescued and transformed into something extraordinary.
Born from Crisis: Sipsmith Strawberry Smash Gin
The result was Sipsmith’s Limited Edition Strawberry Smash Gin – a testament to British ingenuity and sustainable luxury. This wasn’t just another flavored gin; it was liquid history, capturing the essence of British summer in its purest form.
What makes it special:
- Real Wimbledon strawberries from Hugh Lowe Farms, Kent
- Fresh English mint
- Classic London Dry botanicals
- Perfect citrus harmony
- 40% ABV in a premium 0.7L bottle
A Symphony of Summer Flavors
The tasting experience tells the story of rescue and transformation. On the nose, you’ll discover luscious strawberries dancing with citrus brightness and fresh mint. The palate delivers sweet, sun-kissed strawberries perfectly balanced by gentle mint and the warming embrace of juniper. The finish? Elegantly balanced with a robust body and a smooth, lingering strawberry-mint fade that whispers of English gardens and summer afternoons.
The Perfect Partnership
This collaboration between Sipsmith and Wimbledon represents more than just a business deal – it’s a meeting of minds obsessed with craftsmanship and tradition. The same Kent berries that have graced Wimbledon’s legendary strawberries and cream for 147 years now live forever in this sustainable luxury spirit.
Cocktail Culture: The Strawberry Smash Club
Why simply sip when you can create? The signature cocktail celebrating this gin is the Strawberry Smash Club – Sipsmith’s ode to British summer that’s both creamy and citrus-bright, layered with Wimbledon nostalgia.
The Recipe:
- 40ml Sipsmith Strawberry Smash Gin
- 10ml dry vermouth
- 20ml fresh lemon juice
- 10ml sugar syrup
- A few fresh strawberries
- 1 egg white (or vegan alternative)
- Black pepper to garnish
The method is as elegant as the result: dry shake everything first, then add ice and shake again. Strain into a chilled coupette and garnish with a strawberry and a crack of black pepper. The taste? Strawberries in sunlight – creamy, citrus-kissed, with a quiet backbone of mint and peppered botanicals.
The Perfect Serve
For those preferring simplicity, the perfect serve showcases the gin’s natural elegance:
- 50ml Sipsmith Strawberry Smash Gin
- Topped with floral or elderflower tonic over plenty of ice
- Garnished with a twist of fresh lime
The result is a fragrant burst of ripe strawberry on the nose, bright citrus on the palate, and a delicately dry finish that lingers like a warm summer evening.
Innovation Born from Heritage
This rescue mission launched an entirely new category of seasonal luxury gin, proving that innovation and sustainability create the most authentic stories. Sipsmith’s journey from challenging 200-year-old distilling laws in 2008 to becoming Wimbledon’s first official gin partner in 2020 shows how tradition and innovation can dance together beautifully.
As a Certified B Corporation since 2021, Sipsmith continues to prove that business can be a force for good – rescuing strawberries, creating jobs, and crafting exceptional spirits that tell meaningful stories.
Ready for Your Summer Story?
With Wimbledon 2025 on the horizon, the question becomes: how will you celebrate the British summer this year? Whether you’re mixing a Strawberry Smash Club or savoring the perfect serve with elderflower tonic, this gin offers more than just flavor – it offers a taste of resilience, creativity, and the magic that happens when waste becomes wonder.
Currently rated 6.8/10 on the GINferno app, but one sip might just change your mind about what sustainable luxury can taste like.
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