Author: Wild Moon

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Witch’s Guide to the Autumn Equinox

As we approach the beginning of the Autumn Equinox on the 23rd of September, we invite you today to a guide of all things Mabon, preparing for winter and cosy rituals for the darker evenings ahead. This time of year is perfect for getting your cosy on, chilling out and venturing inwards into your feminine energy.

Let’s take a look at some of the things you can do during this autumn equinox in order to make the most of the changing seasons.

Things to Do During the Autumn Equinox

Mabon is celebrated between the 21st and 29th of September, so right during the autumn equinox. This celebration comes from the changing of seasons and the equal amount of light and dark during each day. Check out our blog on the best ways to celebrate Mabon for some inspiration.

Mabon rituals might include a light ritual, feasting with friends or as simple as setting intentions for the winter months ahead.

Before we come to the end of delicious berry season, get outside and forage some blackberries, elder berries or sloes. This time of year is perfect for finding an abundance of treats in nature, perfect for baking and making into new recipes. Preserving them into jams and syrups to enjoy in the winter is a great thing to do this time of year too!

Remember to change with the seasons

With the changing of weather and the autumn solstice upon us, nature reminds us to always be in flux. Change is welcomed and encouraged in order to grow. This autumn you could try out a new hobby or craft which you can use the darker, winter evenings to refine and improve upon. If you’re the creative type, maybe try your hand at crocheting, watercolour painting or punch needling. If you’d prefer something more athletic, try a new exercise class or find some videos online of yoga, pilates or ballet.

You could even try your hand at becoming a cocktail master to impress all your friends at those Christmas dinner parties – check out some of our favourite Welsh Witch cocktail recipes here.

The cyclical nature of life and the Wheel of the Year helps us embrace and trust in the natural processes throughout the calendar year. Celtics and pagans remember that each sabbat is necessary and important in order for life to thrive. The same will come back around next year; so while we know it’s sad to see the summer coming to a close, we know that we’ll see it again soon. For now, we can enjoy the marvels of the winter months with cosy recipes, chilly Sunday mornings and the magic of Yule ahead. This change reminds us to be grateful for each moment. Practicing gratitude is a perfect way to give thanks back to nature, especially at the time of the solstice; try saying a little thanks to nature for always providing abundance and a safe space for growth.

Make some time to see the sun set

As is common with the summer solstice, witches and pagans make an effort to watch the sunset and/or sunrise on the autumn equinox. Places like Stonehenge are popular destinations to do this in, but just the act of spectating the sun setting and rising wherever you are (you don’t have to do both, pick one or the other) on the equinox is a beautiful way to appreciate the new solstice. Pagans, celts and other religions have been celebrating these moments for thousands of years.

Have you ever watched the sun set on a Solstice day? Why not give it a go?

Time to embrace Spiced Rum season!

We all know and love this time as filled with pumpkin spice here there and everywhere, but at Welsh Witch HQ this time is all about the Spiced Rum! As we’ve spent the summer enjoying our fruity and floral gins, now is the time to welcome with open arms the warming winter belter every bar cart needs! Our award-winning Welsh Witch Spiced Rum is the perfect autumnal drink, with sugar, spice and everything nice; handmade to perfection in the hills of North Wales. Pair it with a botanical cola, add into a Bara Brith recipe or enjoy neat on its own over ice, this Spiced Rum can fulfil all your whimsical autumnal drink wishes!

Wishing you a happy and healthy Autumn Equinox!

We hope your autumn solstice is filled with joy and magic, as we enter a new season and sabbat. Let us know how you like to spend Mabon and the autumn equinox on our social media @welshwitch_craftspirits; here you can also keep up to date on any new product launches, special offers and even giveaways. You can also shop our full range of award winning Welsh spirits here.

Love and light,
Welsh Witch HQ x

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Mabon Rituals for Turning Inwards

Celebrated between the 21st and 29th of September, Mabon is one of the eight sabbats of the pagan Wheel of the Year. The festivities are to enjoy the arrival of the autumn equinox; this time being sacred for turning inwards and preparing for the winter ahead. Using this time to reflect after the long days of summer is traditionally what ancient Celts and pagans would do to mentally prepare for the cold and dark nights of the latter half of the year.

The restful times of the autumn equinox and winter solstice are perfect for drying and preserving the rich crops of the fruitful summer months, storing food to enjoy throughout the winter, and preparing warming foods made with seasonal vegetables and fruits. During September vegetables such as pumpkins, squashes and gourds are abundant, meaning rich vegetable pies and stews are perfect for celebrating the transition from summer to winter.

Let’s learn a bit more about the rituals and practices that are used during Mabon and see if you feel called to try any of them.

1. Feast With Loved Ones

Food is a huge part of pagan celebrations, and therefore Mabon wouldn’t be complete without a harvest feast. Gather lots of fresh produce and make a warming dish for loved ones to enjoy together. Give thanks for the abundance of food and good times spent in good company, this is always a beautiful way to bring festivity to any occasion. Maybe suggest everybody bring a plate of food which can all be enjoyed together, or go to town and make a big pot of warming stew made with seasonal veggies and fresh bread followed by apple pie; as long as you use this time to recognise the abundance and sacredness of food and its nourishment, you can enjoy a feast exactly how you feel drawn to!

2. Preserve Harvested Foods For the Winter

Preserving collected harvests for the winter is an ancient tradition followed by many before food was so easily acquired at corner shops or 24 hour supermarkets! This integral process was key to survival for many civilisations, yet it is still practiced by many pagans today in order to preserve tradition. Take blackberries for example, a delicious berry abundant in the months of August and September, but nowhere to be found outside of these months. Finding a way to preserve these blackberries into a jam or syrup is a perfect way to enjoy the abundance of summer throughout the winter months too. Spend a day pickling, preserving or making jams or chutneys with some local or foraged goods and enjoy the rewards later.

3. Reflect and Give Thanks for The Abundance of Summer

Gratitude is a huge part of pagan philosophy; giving thanks is an essential part of most sabbat celebrations. The continuation of the Wheel of the Year expresses the need for change and growth throughout the seasons. Spend a little while giving thanks for the sunshine that the summer brought, the new experiences and memories, and the abundance of life (food, wildlife, opportunities) that it brought with it. If you feel inclined, a meditation ritual with intention setting and an overarching sense of gratitude is a perfect way to honour the changing of the seasons.

4. Have a Light Ritual

Mabon is a celebration of the autumnal equinox, meaning it is a midpoint between the summer and winter solstices. This balance between the bright days of summer and dark days of winter makes up a large part of Mabon festivities: recognising that both light and dark is needed in order to complete the cycle of the year. Spend an evening during Mabon to light a candle or sit in the dark and appreciate the need for both; this can be extrapolated out into a meditation about needing both good days and bad days, happiness and sadness, in order to have balance and enjoy the full spectrum of life.

5. Set Intentions for the Winter Months

For many, the long and cold months of winter are difficult and hard to cope with. In order to make the most of these times and embracing the change, is to come up with some intentions before the shorter days set in. Make a list of some hobbies or activities you’d like to try during the gloomy evenings so it changes the perspective. Instead of ‘I have to stay in because it’s dark and cold’, it becomes ‘I get to try out x, y or z hobby during these cosy evenings’. This practice is great for maintaining your wellbeing during the (let’s face it) sometimes difficult months, as well as giving you something to work on and achieve. Maybe try out something with friends and create a craft circle or have a new hobby day – the options are limitless!

 

At Welsh Witch HQ, we recognise everybody is different and will choose to celebrate differently. We encourage you to embrace the rituals you feel most drawn to and that feel most authentic to you.

Embrace what feels good and leave the rest.

We hope you have a magical Mabon and we hope this time is restful, rejuvenating and brings forth prosperity and clarity as we transition into the winter months.

Love and light,

Welsh Witch HQ x

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A Charming Spell Cocktail – Guest Blog

We’re really excited to share this article and cocktail recipe by the lovely team at GlassofBubbly.com

Sometimes it feels like we’re under a spell, stuck behind the screen of a mobile device or pc, sometimes we need to break it, charm ourselves with a delightful combination of flavours united together in a Glass of Bubbly Cocktail, utilising Wild Moon’s Gin and Ruggeri’s Prosecco, we’re breaking that spell and offering a helping hand in relaxing with a taste of nature.

Deeply rooted in the tradition of winemaking, the history of Ruggeri began in 1950, founded by Giustino Bisol and his cousin, whose surname, Ruggeri, they adopted as part of the brand for their company.

In the early days, Ruggeri was one of only a handful of producers around Valdobbiadene focused on sparkling wine. Giustino’s son Paolo and granddaughter Isabella have since taken the company forward with the same pioneering spirit.

Ruggeri – Argeo Prosecco DOC Treviso Brut – Tasting Notes

Aroma – “An array of freshly squeezed ripe white fruits, green fruits, green apple, lovely white floral lemon grass, ripe white pears and peaches on the aroma.”

Flavour – “Ripe and delicate white fruits juicy white pears, subtle peaches, green pears and apple skins, with hints of foliage and plenty of wild white floral and blossom characters on the palate.”

Silver Medal in the Spring Fling Category at the Glass of Bubbly Awards 2022

The Gin – Wild Moon

Launched in 2019 by The Welsh Witch herself, Jade Garston, born in a small village in North Wales. A Beltane baby, a May Queen, a Goddess of Love. She cast her spell and created Wild Moon Distillery.

A juniper lead gin with a range of botanicals, bringing intense flavours and refreshing bursts of textures, stimulating the palate. Their Welsh Witch Dry Gin showcases notes of locally foraged gorse flower, coriander seed and bitter orange.

“We’re passionate about constantly creating new drinks that people love and all of our spirits have their own unique processes to make them stand out from the crowd. Being handcrafted in small batches in our North Wales distillery means we can ensure care and attention to every detail and we can remain true to our values.” – Jade Garston

A Charming Spell Cocktail

Ingredients

  • Gin
  • Prosecco
  • Elderflower Liqueur
  • Dried Cornflower Petals
  • Limoncello
  • Fennel
  • Lemon Juice
  • Lemon

How To Make A Charming Spell Cocktail

  • Start With A Few Ice Cubes
  • Add A Lime Wedge
  • A Squeeze Of Lime
  • A Dash of Limoncello
  • A Handful Of Dried Cornflower Petals
  • Add Some Fennel
  • 10mls of Elderflower Liqueur
  • Pour In 20mls of Gin
  • Top up with 100mls of Prosecco

Tasting Notes

Aroma – “Sweet vibrant notes of Elderflower with a touch of lemon skin and cornflower petals on the aroma.”

Flavour – “Sweet Elderflower lures you with its delicate sensation, you’re then delighted with flavours from dried lemon, wild floral and freshly picked white pears and white fruits palate.”

 

Written By Oliver Walkey, Director at Glass of Bubbly and Champagne & Sparkling Wine Writer, Focused on Bringing the Exciting and Fascinating World of Bubbly to You.

Original Post: https://glassofbubbly.com/a-charming-spell-cocktail/

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The Wheel of the Year – Creating Magic

The Wheel of the Year is our guiding star here at Welsh Witch Craft Spirits. Passionate about our belief in the magic of nature and the healing power of the earth, the wheel of the year defines the seasons and an abundance of beautiful ingredients to create our hand-crafted spirits.

Having a true understanding of the Wheel of the Year is and why it inspired the Welsh Witch to create her beautifully brewed spirits is the purpose of this blog.
Read on to find out more…

What is the Wheel of the Year?

The wheel of the year is an annual cycle, based on nature and the sun’s transition through the four seasons: spring, summer, autumn & winter.

The Wheel of the Year delves further into the seasons, highlighting solstices, equinoxes and the midpoints between them. These become the 8 sabbats of the year, celebrated by modern pagans with festivals and rituals.
The Wheel of the Year focuses on celebrating and honouring the nature of a turning wheel and continual death and rebirth.

 

Our very own Welsh Witch, Jade takes her inspiration from Welsh folklore and Celtic pagan traditions and ensures the Wild Moon Distillery focuses on the cyclical nature of life and the changing of seasons.

Why is nature so important to Welsh Witch?

The seasonal sabbats reflect the seasonal flow of nature. Some aspects of Witchcraft say that the spiritual higher realm and the psychical lower realm connect their energies at sabbats.
This energy is at its height during each sabbat and the ingredients we choose for each of our drinks is inspired by the season ensuring the magical energy of the Wheel of the Year is intertwined within them. The energy and high-quality ingredients we use in each of our drinks is what makes them truly magical.

By using the magic in nature, and seasonal ingredients, each flourishing at different points through the seasonal calendar, we can create something beautiful – born out of our love for the local landscapes and the beauty of nature.

However, it is not just the celebration of nature that makes our craft spirits what they are.

They are also infused with the Welsh spirituality of our founder, the Welsh Witch, born under the season of Beltane, the Celtic goddess. It is these magical roots that inspires Wales’ Finest Potions.

Welsh Witch Wheel of the Year Range

We currently have 5 magical spirits which celebrate the first five sabbats, with more coming soon…

  • IMBOLC BLACKBERRY GIN – Honouring the Imbolc celebrations, this juniper led blackberry gin is earthy, award-winning and true to Welsh heritage. Celebrated on the first days of February every year, which marks the halfway point between the winter and the spring equinox.
  • BELTANE FLORAL GIN – Made using reiki infused rose water, this Beltane edition Welsh Witch Gin honours the sweet and spice seen in Beltane fire rituals. To celebrate the birthday of the Welsh Witch, we have crafted this gin inspired by all the elements and magic of Beltane.
  • OSTARA FLORAL GIN – Inspired by Ostara, the maiden goddess awakening in the celebration of the arrival of spring and an expansive new energy. Ostara gin takes inspiration from the spring flower violet for a more floral gin
  • LITHA ELDERFLOWER GIN – This Litha Edition Welsh Witch Gin welcomes the elderflower. The Elder is sacred to the Mother Goddess and is often called the Witch’s Tree, the Elder Mother, or Queen of the Trees. It is protective with wonderful healing properties.
  • WELSH WITCH VODKA – Welsh Witch Lammas Vodka is an elegant crowd-pleaser using Welsh mountain spring water. Inspired by the celebration of Lammas, marks the seasonal turning point of harvest and the first grain which is the starting point of high-quality vodka.

What does the future hold…

You’ve joined the Welsh Witch family at a genuinely exciting time as we complete our range of Wheel of the Year drinks.

We will be creating the last few potions needed to complete the Wheel of the Year range over the next few months, creating many more magical moments for you to experience.

If you’d like to learn more in depth about some of the pagan celebrations throughout the year, our Witch’s Journal blog features some posts on how they are celebrated and how you can get involved!

 

Shop all our Welsh Witch spirits, including our Premium Dry Welsh Gin, Welsh Witch Spiced Rum and new Welsh Lammas Vodka here.

Love & light,
Welsh Witch HQ x

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Simple Steps to Finding Inner Happiness

Sometimes life can feel a little bit difficult and overwhelming; it’s impossible to be happy all the time, nor would it be healthy to try to be. However, there are steps you can take in order to embrace all of life’s ups and downs to feel a deep sense of contentment and inner happiness. Today we’re talking about what we can do to improve our overall feelings of satisfaction in our daily life.
Here are some simple tips which won’t cost anything other than a little bit of your time each day, that will have a huge impact on your inner happiness:

Practice Gratitude Daily

Many teachings regarding inner happiness focus heavily on being present and being thankful. These two states of being are paramount to living a happier life; practicing them often and getting into a routine of doing so is a great place to start when developing your inner happiness. Making this ritual part of your day is a great way to view life from a different perspective. Throughout your day, express gratitude for that cup of tea you’re drinking, express gratitude for your loved ones after you see them, for your pet for keeping you company. At first it may seem silly, but expressing gratitude for even the little things is a great way to increase your natural mood and feel more at ease. We get so wrapped up in what’s coming next or what’s just happened that we rarely recognise the present, which is where the contentment lies.

Let Go of What is Weighing Heavy on Your Mind

In order to move through life with ease and resilience, it is so important to deal with things that are bothering us, making us anxious or getting us down. This could be by talking about what is bothering you with a loved one, or perhaps a counsellor or therapist if the subject matter requires it. It could also be as simple as keeping a mood journal in order to keep your feelings from spiralling out of control. Bottling things up is a direct route to overwhelm, so it’s important to have an outlet for those feelings, even if it means writing on a piece of paper and burning it afterwards as a way to ‘release’ those emotions. This builds emotional resilience and you will become more confident when dealing with feelings of stress, fear or anger when you practice releasing regularly.

Find Stillness in Busy Moments

Similar to practicing gratitude, it is important to recognise when life gets stressful and overwhelming. Remember that regardless of the situation, there is always time for a long breath. Take a second to find stillness by taking a big inhale and a long, extended exhale; you can do this while stuck in traffic, getting your morning coffee, or brushing your teeth. Finding stillness in little moments will increase your resilience to external circumstances in future. If you feel inclined, carving out time to meditate is a great way to improve your mental health, ease anxiety and as a way to deal with confusing emotions. You could use tarot or oracle cards to guide the meditation if this is something that resonates with you also.

Work on Your Authentic Self

Here at Welsh Witch HQ we are all about showing up as your authentic self. Working on showing up as someone you feel comfortable in being is so important in developing that inner happiness. Starting this journey might have a lot of uncomfortable changes and transitions, but this is all a part of finding that true version of yourself. It may come to light that you need to shed old friendships, relationships, or even ideals in order to grow as a person into your authentic being, so it doesn’t come without sacrifice. Set intentions each day as the sort of person you’d like to show up as in the world and then work towards those intentions. Some examples of intentions could be ‘acting with kindness in everything I do’ or ‘feeling sure of myself and knowing I am on the right path’. Coming up with a mantra for the day based on what you truly feel and aiming towards it is a good way to set into motion goals that align with your v

Remember: No Two Journeys Will Look The Same

Of course there are many things you can do and encourage into your life in order to find inner happiness. There is no one-size-fits-all guide; it is a personal journey which is individual to you, therefore it won’t look the same as someone else’s. That is part of the joy of finding your inner happiness and working towards it, the journey is as much a part of it as the destination is. Enjoy the ride and take simple steps each day to feel at home in your own body, whether that is daily gratitude, finding stillness, or setting daily mantras and intentions.

Just know that however your journey looks, it is worthy. You are valued and you are loved.

With love and light,

Welsh Witch HQ x

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Summer Foraging in the Welsh Countryside

This time of year is a beautiful chance to explore our abundant mother nature during these summer months. Getting outside and harvesting local foods is a great way to feel grounded and connected to nature. Not to mention, there is so much on offer during these delightful summer months that we’re going to give you some tips on foraging in the Welsh countryside (or anywhere else in the UK!). Now, let’s see what you might find on a wander through nature at this time of year.

Blackberries

What would August be without blackberries? During this time towards the middle-end of the month, hedgerows are abundant with juicy blackberries. Why not try grabbing some next time you head out on a walk? Blackberries are great for all sorts of recipes; make them into a syrup, icecream, blackberry cake, a delicious pie, pop some in a gin or enjoy them on their own as they are! Our Welsh Witch Imbolc Gin is filled with an abundance of blackberries for that delicious sweet, berry flavour; they are a fruit sacred to the Celtic goddess Brigid, the inspiration behind this gin.

Elderflower and Elderberries

Another staple of the summer and sweet, fragrant florals come from the elderflower plant. This deliciously sweet flower is a perfect addition to any summer home kitchen. When these flowers are picked, you can stew some and make an elderflower cordial: add this to your G&T, with some lemonade or with ice cold water for a refreshing summer beverage. The flowers are in full bloom from spring to mid-summer, before the flowers bloom in to deliciously dark and juicy berries. A note on elderberries: they are mildly toxic to eat raw, so they will need to be prepared first by either drying, cooking or processing otherwise. There are so many fruity recipes to try out with elderberries, such as crumbles, pies or even elderberry syrup, which can be taken as a remedy for cold and flu season with autumn just around the corner!

If you love elderflowers as much as we do, we have an elderflower gin – Welsh Witch Litha Gin which delights the senses with that fragrant and floral deliciousness of the summer.

Strawberries

We can’t forget strawberries; a perfect summer staple just about anywhere in the UK. The supermarkets are filled with the red, fleshy berries but what’s better than picking your own? While wild strawberries can be foraged, they’re not as commonly found as elderflower or bramble bushes. So you might need to do a bit more investigation if looking for wild berries, and remember to pick only plants which you can confidently identify. If in doubt, lots of places offer ‘pick your own’ experiences, where you can spend a summer’s day picking deliciously ripe strawberries to use and enjoy at home; not to mention you’ll be supporting a local farm, too!

Damson berries

During July and August, you might notice some dark blue, almost purple, berries around hedgerows in the UK. Taking on an almost blueberry and grape-like shape and colour, damson berries are a great little berry packed full of flavour. Most foragers of damson berries enjoy making them into a delectable jam or preserve, to enjoy through the winter months. They can also be made into a cordial or syrup to add some tart fruitiness to summer drinks and tipples. Why not try adding a few spoonfuls of damson syrup to a Welsh Witch G&T?

Dandelions

What most see as just a common weed is actually a very diverse plant which can be made into many different recipes. Dandelion honey is a great alternative which is super inexpensive to make and tastes similar to the real deal. The flowers themselves are thought to reduce inflammation and is also a great antioxidant, making them medicinally useful too! Dandelion honey is so easy to make, just add several handfuls of washed dandelion heads and two slices of lemon into some hot water on the stove until boiling, then cover leave to steep overnight. The next day, strain the liquid through a strainer or muslin cloth, then weigh out the liquid and an equal amount of sugar. Place the infused water and equal sugar into a pan and boil for around 20 minutes, until the sugar has dissolved and the honey gels when placed on a cold plate or back of a spoon.

 

Keep in the fridge when cooled and use in hot drinks, porridge, or drizzled over cakes; delicious!

Forage Responsibly This Summer

Remember when foraging: only take what you need and leave enough for others, don’t uproot any plants to preserve the plants for next year, and treat the environment with respect. Maybe pick up some litter if you’re there and see some on your walk too. Especially with dandelions, make sure you only pick them if there is an abundance of them in the area: they are great pollinators, bugs rely on them so it’s important to pick them responsibly so we keep our pollinating friends thriving. If you head out this August, show us your foraged haul by tagging us on Instagram @welshwitch_craftspirits (bonus points if you include any in a Welsh Witch drink!)

This time of year is a perfect time to get outdoors and cherish nature in all its glory; give thanks for your foraged goodies and celebrate with loved ones the abundance of delicious offerings the world gives. You can check out our full range of Welsh Witch craft spirits here, where we make tipples inspired by the Welsh countryside and locally inspired ingredients.

Love and light,
Welsh Witch HQ x

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5 Vodka Cocktails for summer and beyond

If you are planning that perfect summer BBQ, party or want to wow dinner party guests we think our new Lammas vodka will do the trick.

Our premium vodka stands proud as a crowd-pleasing spirit; an unfussy accompaniment to any mixer of your choice to create a luxurious taste journey.

The quintessential and classic flavour of our triple distilled vodka, paired with the unique knowledge of Welsh traditions and folklore, is an enchanting spirit and drinks shelf staple for any cocktail making enthusiast.

Vodka is one of the world’s most popular spirits because of its neutral flavour, crystal clear colour, and versatility in cocktail recipes.
Check out some delicious crowd-pleasing vodka cocktails to try out below:

Wrexham Mule

With our now famous town on the map thanks to the Hollywood fairy tale surrounding our football club we couldn’t miss out on the opportunity to create a local twist on a classic vodka cocktail.

Wrexham is also famed for the quality of its underground water reserves, which gave rise to its previous dominance as a major brewing centre. Both Welsh Water and the first gain celebrated by Lammas are at the heart of our new Vodka.

Ingredients you’ll need:

To garnish

  • Lime
  • Splash of grenadine

Pour the vodka into a metal mug, julep tin or tumbler. Load up ¾ full of crushed ice, then fill to the top with the ginger ale and stir gently to combine. Add a few dashes of ginger bitters.

Serve with splash of grenadine to add the Wrexham fiery red colour and finish with a squeeze of lime and the wedges on top.

———-

Summer Breeze

On a beautiful summer day, you can’t beat a light, chilled, refreshing cocktail, and they don’t come more refreshing than a summer’s breeze.

Ingredients you’ll need:

To garnish

  • Garnish with a lime wedge

Take a chilled glass (coupe glass preferable). Shake and strain the ingredients with lots of ice cubes and then pour. Finish with orange zest shavings.

———-

Cosmopolitan

You can’t talk about vodka cocktails without including the very classic Cosmopolitan, with its famous sweet with just a touch of tang taste.

What’s more how else would you describe sipping cocktail at a summer get-together other than ‘how very Cosmopolitan!’

Ingredients you’ll need:

  • 45ml Welsh Witch Lammas Vodka
  • 20ml Cointreau
  • Splash of cranberry Juice
  • Squeeze of lime

To garnish

  • Garnish with a lemon twist

 

 

 

Combine all the liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled martini or nick & nora glass. Garnish with lemon twist.

———-

Welsh Vodka Fizz

This refreshing cocktail is a trifecta of sweet, minty, and tangy. This is a great cocktail to enjoy on a hot summer day by the pool.

Ingredients you’ll need:

To garnish

  • Garnish with a lemon slice

Pour vodka, lemon juice, and mint simple syrup into a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake. Strain into a glass filled with ice and top up the glass with club soda. Garnish with a slice of lemon.

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Espresso Martini

And finally……we couldn’t leave out the Espresso Martini as one of the great vodka cocktails to come out of the 1980s. Invented by famed bartender Dick Bradsell, some say he first shook one up for super model Kate Moss.

Ingredients you’ll need:

To garnish

  • 3 Whole Coffee Beans

 

 

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Add Welsh Witch Vodka Lammas Vodka, Kahlúa, and Espresso. Shake well to get the foam on top and strain it into a cocktail or martini glass. Garnish by placing three coffee beans on top.

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You can shop our whole range of Welsh Witch Craft Spirits here.

If you decide to try out any of these cocktails, don’t forget to tag us on Instagram @welshwitch_craftspirits to give our whole team food envy! Happy cooking!

Love and light,
Welsh Witch HQ x

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How to Pair Welsh Witch Gin With Meals

Food is delicious, gin is delicious – but how do they fit together? Today we’re diving into pairing gins (and our other spirits) with foods and which ones work well together. Let’s take a look at some of our spirit flavour profiles and find out which ones compliment certain foods. This way you’ll be able to enjoy your tipples with dinner while enjoying all the delicious botanical flavours as you eat.

Why Should You Match Your Gin With Food?

Why not just wait until after dinner for your gin? Well, sometimes a good pairing of a G&T with your meal not only is enjoyable, but enhances the flavour palette of both your food and drink. If you’re a flavour enthusiast, doing this is a must – especially if you’re a gin lover and haven’t yet been enjoying the magic of flavour pairing! It’s like food and drink alchemy, and we implore you to try it.

Flavour Pairings to Try

If you’re new to pairing gins with meals, our Original Dry Gin is a good place to start, since it’s unassuming but high-quality flavour palette is a good all-rounder when it comes to pairing with food. The delicious aromatic botanicals will pair well with most things, from refreshing salads, to barbeques, to pasta and pizza!

Our Beltane Gin is a floral yet citrusy refreshing gin with a fiery kick of cinnamon to celebrate the fire rituals of Beltane. Pair this gin with something like an earthy goat’s cheese tart or a seafood such as salmon or seabass to compliment those light citrusy flavours. You could also pair our Beltane Gin with something richer, such as a casserole, a stew or a hearty soup, since those warming notes of cinnamon will bring bundles of comfort for those cosy winter evenings.

Try a G&T With Curry Night!

Bear with us on this one: why not try a lovely gin with your next curry? At first the combination may seem a little strange, but if you think about it – it works! Curries are packed full of aromatic flavours, such as cumin, garam masala and herbs; a perfectly botanical gin will complement these flavours well while offering a refreshing beverage to pair. Any curry will work well with our Welsh Witch Original Dry Gin due to the combination of gorse flower and coriander seed along with that aromatic juniper flavour to compliment all those delicious herbs and spices you’ll find in a curry.

Graze Away With Nibbles

Another great way to pair spirits with food but you’re perhaps not wanting to cook a full meal, is by creating a grazing board. Extremely easy to make and perfect for summer, a grazing board is a fun way to add some nibbles into your evening. Things like garlic and herb olives work well here, especially with our Beltane or Original Dry Gin. If you’re feeling fancy, add some charcuterie too, since the botanicals in our gins will compliment the herbs and spices in cured meats nicely too. Rich cheeses such as stilton and camembert will pair delightfully with aromatic gins such as our Welsh Witch Original Dry Gin as well, enhancing those deep, luscious, and cheesy flavours.

Don’t Forget Dessert!

And of course, dessert! This one makes the most sense to people and a G&T or alcoholic tipple while your meal wraps up with pudding is a common practice. A sweet, floral gin such as our violet Ostara Gin or our blackberry infused Imbolc Gin will work here with desserts such as pavlova, crème brulee, or cheesecake. The light and refreshing botanicals work well with light and creamy flavours for that extra bit of magic at the end of your meal.

For a heavier, richer dessert such as a chocolate torte or sticky toffee pudding, our Welsh Witch Spiced Rum will make a warming, sweet and spiced accompaniment if you fancy something a bit sweeter. If you fancy incorporating your tipples into your food, we posted a recipe last year for a Spiced Rum Butter Sauce to pour over your favourite desserts, yum!

Of course, cocktails too are like a dessert in themselves! We’ve got lots of gin and rum cocktail recommendations on our Witch’s Journal Blog for inspiration on your next dinner party cocktails to try out.

You can shop our whole range of Welsh Witch Craft Spirits here.

If you decide to try out any of these meal pairings with one of our gins, don’t forget to tag us on Instagram @welshwitch_craftspirits to give our whole team food envy! Happy cooking!

Love and light,
Welsh Witch HQ x

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Our New Welsh Witch Vodka

Our new vodka

Happy summer witches! This is a very exciting time for the Wild Moon Distillery, as we are ready for a special launch which has been brewing away in preparation for our next Wheel of the Year addition.

If you didn’t know, our enchanting Wheel of the Year spirit range is ever expanding, and our repertoire already includes: Imbolc Gin, Ostara Gin, Beltane Gin and Litha Gin.

Those of you following our social media pages (@welshwitch_craftspirits) might already know; so make sure to follow us so you don’t miss any future releases!

Welcoming our Welsh Witch Premium Vodka

It is with delight and a handful of magic that we bring to you… our Welsh Witch Premium Vodka! Perfect for our Lammas Wheel of the Year sabbat. This has been an exciting feat in the making and we are so thrilled to share with you the potion you have all been waiting for.

Made with the best quality Welsh inspired ingredients, healing water from the Ffynnon Beuno Welsh mountains and reiki charged with aquamarine, amethyst, and moonstone crystals to create a perfectly balanced tipple ideal for luxe spirit enthusiasts. Brewed with care and triple distilled in North Wales, we’re looking to put Wales on the premium spirit map – you can read more about our hometown in our blog article ‘Welsh Witch on Wrexham’. A combination of love, expertise, and attention to detail come together to create this luxurious crowd-pleasing spirit that will surely become a staple in any collection.

How to Enjoy Our Magical New Potion

Our vodka is unassuming and an unfussy accompaniment for any of your mixer choices. Which, in essence means: pair it with what you love! There’s no discrimination here. That being said, we do recommend a high-quality premium mixer for the best flavour experience, such as a botanical cola (we love the Fever Tree cola for that delicious aromatic flavour!) or premium lemonade.

Our high-quality Welsh Witch Vodka is now available to purchase, as well as the rest of our Wheel of the Year spirits.

If you’d like to keep up to date with our new launches, as well as learning new cocktail recipes using our spirits, you can sign up to our newsletter here and if you enter before midnight on 6th August, you’ll be entered into our giveaway to win lots of goodies including our new vodka.

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How to Celebrate Lammas

Firstly, What is Lammas and How is it Celebrated?

Lammas is a celebration on the 1st of August marking the equal distance between the summer solstice and the autumn solstice. It is representative of the time around the first harvests of the year and is a festival of all things grain. Therefore foods rich in wheat, grains and barleys are common in Lammas traditions. As we know, summer (especially in the UK) is a time producing a delicious abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables, and Lammas is a pinnacle point of gratitude for plentiful crops and bountiful produce. Take a walk outside and admire all of the plants and trees bursting with colours; these summer festivities are honouring just that!

Let’s have a look at some of the ways we recommend spending Lammas (or any of August) to get the most out of this magical time of year. The month of August is usually a time of fun, good weather and embracing your inner child, which is exactly what we encourage! This is a great time to enjoy the fruits of your labour and look at how far you’ve come this year. The seasons remind us that everything is always changing, so it’s important to be present and grateful for the right now.

How to Celebrate Lammas This Year

1. Bake Something Delicious

One of the best ways you can celebrate this time of harvest and abundance is by utilising these ingredients! Try baking some fresh bread to honour grain and wheat harvests during Lammas, try out a new recipe and share with loved ones. There’s nothing better than getting together and connecting with friends and family while enjoying some home-cooked goods. Try out a sourdough loaf or a yummy stuffed tear-and-share bread or go sweet and try out a seasonal strawberry and peach pie; the choices are unlimited! Wrap up your loaf or sweet treat and head to the beach or your favourite picnic spot and enjoy a lovely outdoor feast, giving thanks to the Earth and for the abundance it provides. Not to mention, there’s nothing better than the smell of freshly baked bread, right?

2. Decorate with Fresh Flowers (Bonus Points if You Pick Them!)

This time is a perfect opportunity to decorate your sacred spaces with the abundance of nature, including flowers and floral decorations. Perhaps head to a sunflower field if you have one near you that offers a ‘pick your own’ style harvest and make extra memories frolicking through the flowers! Grab a buddy and make a day of it; that’s all part of the fun. If that’s not an option, try heading to a local florist and supporting a small business by buying a bouquet of high quality and seasonal flowers. Decorate your spaces with them and play around with some different displays. Some people love to create themed altars for the sabbats, so if you feel called to you could try that too. Use seasonal ingredients and natural items and say a little prayer of gratitude too once you’re finished. It’s also fun to save the flowers and press or dry them after you’ve enjoyed them for a while too.

3. Offer Something Back to Nature

Since we’re using this time to appreciate and show gratitude for all nature does for us, it’s important that we also give back too. Getting outside is a great way to do this, since we can really connect with the Earth when we are outdoors amongst the trees, ocean and sounds of wildlife. An offering can be anything of your choosing, as long as it is given with good intentions and you have gratitude in your heart. For example, you might choose to scatter some birdseed in your garden or set up a feeder to help your little community of birds. You could go as far as making a hedgehog house and filling it with food (hedgehogs are in great decline in the UK so this is a good one!) or installing a bug hotel to help bees and butterflies. On the other hand, the offering could be more of a spiritual one: perhaps burying one of your favourite rocks or crystals in the ground as a symbolic offering to mother nature. You could make a bouquet of dried flowers or herbs and place it somewhere in the woods or in your garden as it decays and returns to the earth. Get as creative as you like; the idea is to give thanks to Earth and repay it with kindness!

4. Honour the Full Moon(s)!

What is special about August is that we have two full moons this month, one falling on August 1st (Sturgeon Moon) as well as the 31st (Blue Moon). The second is called a blue moon because occasionally we get lucky enough to experience two full moons in one calendar month (hence the phrase ‘once in a blue moon’). This intense month of August brings with it the perfect opportunity to seize a new opportunity and watch it come into fruition with the two full moons symbolising a complete cycle. On August 1st, start a new journey or challenge, and see how far you’ve come on the 31st when we are met with another full moon. This could be a physical challenge (such as walking every day, or starting a new creative hobby) or equally a mental challenge (such as practicing meditation every day, or journaling how you are feeling each evening). The limits are endless; this is a great way to try out something new for 30 days and see how you get on!

5. Connect With Loved Ones

This celebratory time is often a time of weddings, parties and gatherings, so it’s a perfect time to connect with loved ones. Get together with your nearest and dearest, bring some drinks and snacks and enjoy long summer evenings. On Lammas you could host a dinner or garden party, where you each bring your favourite seasonal treats and discuss things you are grateful for in each other and in the world itself; not only will this create beautiful memories, it harbours a lovely sense of gratitude and positivity. If you’re looking for some tipples for your summer parties, our 3 for £90 spirit deal might just be for you if you’re looking to try our magical new Welsh Witch Vodka!

However you choose to spend Lammas, as we always say, it’s important to do what feels authentic to you. We are all about showing up authentically here at Welsh Witch HQ and that means doing what feels magical to you. Essentially, spend your Lammas honouring the magic of nature, (which is a lot of the keystone beliefs of pagan tradition!) and spend time with loved ones and use this time to be reflective of the cyclical and ever-changing seasons.

Love and light,
Welsh Witch HQ x