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Celebrating Summer with Welsh Witch Craft Spirits

Summer is officially here: grab the beach brollies, some strawberries and cream and pop the Wimbledon on! The UK is revelling in the freedom of summer holidays, al-fresco dining and enjoying all the festivities the hot weather brings. So, let’s give you some ways you can celebrate summer with our inspiration from Welsh Witch Craft Spirits, from garden parties, to seasonal recipes and ways to connect with your loved ones.

Get outside into nature

Use this delightful weather to inspire your senses and inner explorer. Grab a pal or take a solo adventure. Visit a place of natural beauty nearby, whether that’s the beach, some gardens, the mountains, it doesn’t matter! Get outside and enjoy some of the fresh air while the weather is good: studies show that getting outside, even just for a 10 minute walk outdoors, boosts your mental health and mood significantly! Find time to take a dip outdoors, in a river, the sea or even a lake if you have one nearby; this time of year the water is so refreshing and ideal for a soothing dip on a hot day.

Host a garden party or barbeque

Summer is often a time of weddings, parties and celebrations. Grab your nearest and dearest and host a summer gathering to remember. If you don’t have a garden, hit up your nearest park, beach or community garden and host a picnic, a ‘bring a plate’ party or a barbeque (if the community space allows!). Finding time to connect and relax with loved ones is a perfect way to soak up the sunshine this summer and enjoy those memorable moments. Don’t forget to top up your tipple stash with our 3 for £95 spirit deal, and you can check out our blog for lots of summer cocktail recipes to enchant your guests and spread some sparkle.

Try out some new recipes

Summer is such a beautiful time for seasonal fruits and veggies, making it a great time to try out some new recipes, prepare some preserves for the winter months or to just have fun with loved ones. Strawberries are an excellent example of a fresh seasonal fruit on offer at the moment; nothing beats UK strawberries in the summer! Try out a strawberry shortcake recipe, a strawberry and feta salad, or check out our recipe for a Strawberry & Elderflower Smash gin cocktail.

Summer Cocktails

Embrace the beautiful summer energy

The summer is always such a beautiful to go out there and do. Use this time to be inspired by the abundance of nature and tap into your inner magic; this is the time to try out new things, explore a new hobby and do that thing you’ve been putting off! Now is the time to strike, with summer in full flow we are encouraged with the solar energy to find time to play, release our inner child and find wonder in this magical summer season. Try some yoga outside, host a game of rounders with friends or spend a day making recipes you’ve been meaning to. It’s so important to nurture that inner child, so what will you do this summer for fun and play?

The exciting summer times always bring a sense of wonder and joy, the warmer weather is an invitation to step outside and revel in the sunshine and just do. So, embrace that solar energy and dive into something new, host a party or take a long trip out into nature.

Here at Welsh Witch HQ, we are wishing you a magical summer, filled with sunshine, good times with good people, and of course a delicious tipple here and there!

Love and light,

Welsh Witch HQ x

 

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Rum Cocktail Recipes to celebrate World Rum Day

Our favourite Rum Cocktails 

Do you know what’s happening on Saturday? If you didn’t, on the 8th of July it is World Rum Day! Fear not if you didn’t get the memo, we’ve got some delicious rum recipes you can try out this weekend with our mystical Welsh Witch Spiced Rum. 

Check out some delicious crowd-pleasing rum cocktails to try out below:

1. Rum Old Fashioned 

A perfect drink for the classicist in your life! Good old-fashioned flavours and simple, delicious notes of aromatic spices make this one a winner for spiced rum enthusiasts. 

Ingredients you’ll need:

  • 2 parts Welsh Witch Spiced Rum
  • 2 dashes Bitters
  • 1-2 tsp sugar
  • Cubed ice

To garnish

  • Orange Peel

For a classic spiced rum beverage perfect for any classic cocktail fan, mix together the sugar and Bitters in a whisky or rum glass. Add in a single ice cube and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Add a few more ice cubes, half of the rum and stir for a minute. Then, add more ice, the remainder of the rum and stir generously once more. Take an orange peeling and twist over the drink to ensure that delicious orange oil infusion is added to your drink. Stir the orange peel in and enjoy. 

2. Magical Dark & Stormy

Ahh, Welsh Witch Spiced Rum and ginger beer; a match made in flavour heaven! This Dark and Stormy is a perfectly refreshing tipple for a hot day.

Ingredients you’ll need:

  • 60ml Welsh Witch Spiced Rum
  • Freshly squeezed juice of ½ a lime
  • 150-200ml botanical ginger beer

To garnish

  • A lime wheel 

Add the rum and lime juice to a tall glass filled with ice and stir. Pour the ginger beer over the top and garnish with the lime wedge and enjoy the harmonising flavour of our Spiced Rum with a delightfully refreshing ginger beer. 

3. Spiced Rum Mojito

Enjoy a little spicy twist on a summer mojito with this Spiced Rum Mojito; perfect for beating the heat this summer with an abundance of fresh mint leaves. Bonus points if you can pick the mint fresh from your garden! Mojitos are very customisable, so feel free to add any fruit puree you might like in there too; perhaps some strawberry or pineapple and add this at the muddling stage at the beginning.

Ingredients you’ll need:

  • 3 parts Welsh Witch Spiced Rum
  • 1 part simple syrup
  • 4 lime wedges
  • 6-8 mint leaves
  • Small slice of fresh ginger
  • A dash of bitters

To garnish

  • A lime wheel 

Muddle together the lime, ginger, mint leaves and any other fruit you’d like, along with the simple syrup, in a tall glass. Filled with cubed or crushed ice and top with the rum and bitters and give it a good stir. Top with more ice if you desire and garnish with a lime wheel and enjoy our spiced take on a classic mojito. 

4. Dreamy Spiced Rum Milk Punch

For something a bit different, why not try a Milk Punch? This cold and milky beverage is an evening iced latte, if you will. Cool, creamy, and refreshing, this is perfect for summer evenings in the garden or as a nightcap before bed. Of course, this can be made with any milk of your choice, experiment and see which ones you like the most – we recommend coconut milk for the creamiest flavour.

Ingredients you’ll need:

  • 50ml Welsh Witch Spiced Rum
  • 90ml milk of your choice
  • 20ml simple syrup, maple syrup can also be substituted here
  • 1 dash of vanilla extract
  • Handful of ice

To garnish: 

  • Freshly grated cinnamon
  • Freshly grated nutmeg

Add the spiced rum, milk, simple (or maple) syrup and vanilla extract to a cocktail shaker with a handful of ice and shake until well combined and chilled. Strain into a chilled glass with several cubes of ice, then garnish with freshly grated cinnamon and nutmeg. 

If none of these tickle your tastebuds – you really can’t go wrong with a classic Rum and Cola…

Delightful if you ask us! We’ll definitely be trying one of these on a hot summers’ evening.

We hope you have a magical World Rum Day and celebrate in true Welsh Witch style: with lots of magic, laughter and joy. Hopefully we’ve given you some rum inspiration to try out some new tipples this weekend.

You can shop our award-winning Welsh Witch Spiced Rum here.

Love and light,

Welsh Witch HQ x

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Honouring July’s Buck Moon – Welsh Witch Explains

On Monday the 3rd of July, we will be blessed with a beautiful full supermoon characterised in July as the ‘Buck Moon’. Named, aptly so, after this time when antlers of male deer are at their peak growth during this month. Stags shed their antlers each year to grow a bigger, more impressive set the following year. Therefore, it will come as no surprise that this supermoon is used as a time of growth, transformation, and shedding negativity. We’re going to have a look at some of the best ways you could spend this day of lunar wonder.

Ways you can celebrate the Buck Moon

Since July’s moon is a supermoon (and the first one of 2023 at that!), meaning it orbits slightly closer to the Earth than normal, it will appear bigger and brighter in the night sky than a normal moon. This means it’ll be very hard to ignore the light and lunar energy radiating from the Buck Moon; get ready to use this time to supercharge your life this July. The other supermoons of the year will be happening in August (one on the 1st and one on the 31st) and on the 29th of September, so this summer is going to be filled with lots of beautiful feminine energy. There are lots of things you can do to honour the energy of a supermoon (or any full moon!), whatever you choose to do should feel right for you and remember to remain true to your authentic self.

Now, are you ready for some inspiration for what to do?

1. Plan a new dream, project or goal

This Buck Moon is often seen as a symbol of fertility – due to the full male antlers signifying mating season, but whether that means literally or symbolically is up to you! Characteristically full moons are seen as times to sit back and enjoy your hard work, but the masculine nature of the stags this time of year shows that now is the time to go for it! Use this fruitful time to start a new hobby, tick something off your bucketlist or cultivate a new friendship. Seeing your little seed grow into a greater plant in a few months’ time will be so rewarding if you put things into place during the Buck Moon. Nurturing is a very important process during this transformational lunar energy; what will you nurture this July?

2. Celebrate the moonlight

If it wasn’t obvious, the light from this Buck Moon is going to be pretty intense! You can honour this light by celebrating it however feels authentic to you. Perhaps meditate during the full moon with a guided visualisation, or practice gratitude while bathing yourself in the moonlight. If you’d prefer company, hold a supermoon ceremony or join in a women’s circle or witch’s circle. Use this time to honour the light, give thanks for mother nature and the cyclical events that give us life. If you’d like, use candles to make this celebration of light even more magical.

3. Shed anything that’s holding you back from growing

Just as the male deer would with their antlers each year, use this time as a metaphorical purge of your own antlers. What is holding you back from growing bigger and stronger? Use a journal or in your head think about what is keeping your from progressing further and becoming your best self. If you hold onto any negative emotions that are stopping you from healing, use this time to let these go too. Visualise yourself physically purging these emotions. Similarly, you could write them on a piece of paper and (safely!) set them alight in a controlled environment.

4. Connect with your feminine energy

While the moon’s counterpart the sun emanates masculine energy, the lunar energy is feminine, meaning this is a great time to tap into that feminine energy and honour this sacred time to nurture, venture inwards and reflect. Honour that feminine magic inside each and every one of us and use this time to welcome feelings of gratitude, compassion, and unconditional love for all. Spend time with loved ones or enjoy a self-care evening with all your favourite things; there is no right or wrong way to honour your feminine energy!

When you look up at the moon on Monday, remember how truly connected we all are. Each day is a magical opportunity! However you decide to enjoy the magical supermoon, we hope it is filled with magic, joy and comfort for your soul. May this be a time of calm amongst chaos and let it remind you how special your place is in this big, beautiful world of ours.

Love and light,

Welsh Witch HQ x

 

 

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Litha Ritual (with cocktails) by Lizzie Burgess

Litha Ritual (with cocktails)

Litha Gin cocktailWitchcraft rituals are always unique and personal to everyone’s individual practice – but I hope you find some fun with this little structure below! If you work with deities, don’t forget to thank them, or if you use elemental energy then you could honour it during your ritual. You can do this ritual on your own, or involve a friend if you’re comfortable, but what’s important really is that it’s fun and meets your magickal intentions.

 

Cleansing the Space:

Find a quiet and comfortable space where you can perform your ritual. Begin by cleansing the area to remove any stagnant or negative energies. Light a bundle of dried herbs, such as sage or rosemary, and let the smoke fill the space. Visualize the smoke purifying the area and clearing away any unwanted energy. As the smoke dances, repeat the following affirmation:
“With the cleansing smoke, I release all that no longer serves. I create a sacred space for joy, celebration, and the turning of the wheel. As this smoke purifies, I invite in the vibrant energy of summer and the blessings it shall reveal.”

Setting Intentions:

Take a moment to ground yourself and connect with the energy of the summer season. Visualize the warm rays of the sun enveloping you and filling your being with vitality. Hold a clear quartz crystal in your hands and infuse it with your intentions for the ritual. State your intention aloud or silently:
“On this joyful occasion, I set my intention to celebrate the summer and honour the turning of the wheel. May this ritual create a space filled with love, laughter, and the essence of the sun. I open myself to the abundance and blessings that this season brings.”

Creating the Sacred Space:

Arrange your ritual tools and ingredients on a beautifully adorned table or altar. Place a vibrant yellow or orange cloth as the foundation, symbolizing the energy of the sun and the warmth of summer. Arrange fresh flowers, citrus fruits, and herbs like rosemary, elderflower heads or mint as offerings to the spirits of the season.

Gin Cocktail Preparation:
Select your favourite Welsh Witch Litha Edition gin and gather the ingredients for your cocktail. As you mix and prepare the drink, infuse each ingredient with your intention for celebration and joy. Whisper or speak the following affirmation:
“In this glass, I blend the spirits of summer. May this cocktail be a potion of delight, carrying the essence of the sun’s embrace. With every sip, I am nourished, uplifted, and connected to the abundant energy of this season.”
Celebration and Gratitude:
Once your cocktail is prepared, raise your glass in a toast to the summer and the turning of the wheel. Express gratitude for the blessings of the season and the opportunities it brings. Sip the cocktail slowly, savouring each moment and allowing its flavours to awaken your senses.
As you enjoy the cocktail, take a moment to reflect on the intentions you’ve set and the energy you’ve invoked. Feel the warmth of the summer sun within you, filling your heart with joy and inspiration. Offer words of gratitude to the universe, the spirits, and the elements for their presence and support.
Closing the Ritual:
When you’re ready, offer a final expression of gratitude and release the energy of the ritual. Blow out any candles, extinguish any incense, and thank the spirits and energies that have joined you. Close the ritual by saying:
“As I conclude this ritual, I thank the spirits/elements/universal energies that have joined me in celebration. I carry the essence of summer within me, and I embrace the abundance and blessings that this season offers. And so it is!”

Allow the sacred space to remain in place for as long as you desire, or dismantle it with gratitude, knowing that its energy lingers within you.

“Sipping the Sun” cocktail recipe

This is a very special “Sipping the Sun” cocktail for Litha, involving all the flavours you can expect with that little bit of magickal-spice added to it!

Ingredients:

  • 50ml Litha Edition gin
  • 3-4 ripe strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 330ml water
  • 2 black tea bags
  • 1 fresh lemon, sliced
  • 1 small quartz crystal (cleansed and charged)
  • Elderberries or Strawberries sliced, for garnish
  • Ice cubes

Instructions:

Honey-Soaked Strawberries:

In a small bowl, combine the sliced strawberries with honey. Gently stir until the strawberries are coated in the honey. Set aside to let them soak and release their sweet flavours overnight in the fridge before the solstice.

Sun Tea Infusion:

  • Fill a glass pitcher with water and add the black tea bags, lemon slices, and a cleansed quartz crystal. Place the pitcher in a sunny spot outdoors, allowing the sun’s energy to infuse the tea. Absolutely get it covered with cling film or a plate to ensure no insects get in.
  • Let the tea steep for 2-3 hours, depending on your desired strength. Once infused, remove the tea bags and lemon slices. Set the pitcher aside.

Cocktail Prep:

  • In a cocktail shaker, muddle (mush up) the honey-soaked strawberries to release their juices and flavours.
  • Add ice cubes and our Litha gin to the shaker. Shake well to combine and chill the ingredients.

How We Witches Serve:

  • Fill a glass with fresh ice cubes.
  • Strain the cocktail mixture from the shaker into the glass.
  • Top off the glass with the sun tea infusion, pouring slowly to control the desired strength.
  • Garnish with a few elderberries, allowing them to float on top of the cocktail.

Final Touch:

  • Take a moment to appreciate the summery appearance of the cocktail, reflecting the energy of the sun and the magick boost of the quartz crystal.
  • Stir gently with a cocktail stirrer or spoon to combine all the flavours.

 

Savouring the sweet floral notes of elderflower gin, the vibrant flavours of honey-soaked strawberries, the refreshing taste of sun tea, and the subtle earthiness of elderberries. As you sip this enchanting summer cocktail, feel the warmth of the sun’s energy, the healing power of the crystal-infused tea, and the joy of the season. Cheers to a magical summer!

The power of any witchcraft practice lies within your intentions and personal connection to the elements you choose to incorporate. Trust your intuition, adapt these suggestions to suit your preferences, and let your witchcraft practice be a reflection of your unique magick and empowerment.

And so it is!

Until next time xox

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Using the Litha Edition Gin by Lizzie Burgess

Gin has always been a staple for many witches in their practice. With its magickal correspondences of cleansing and healing properties, it can be used not just for drinking. Elderflower is a stunning witchy herb staple that can be used to make delicious summery kitchen spells. So why not use some Litha Edition Welsh Witch Gin to add a little extra magick to your Solstice celebrations? Use it for ritual offerings, adding it to your cauldron or crystal balls, or simply enjoy sipping on a gin & tonic at sunset as you watch the sunset over the horizon!

Love Elixir: Create a love elixir by infusing gin with rose petals, lavender, and a touch of honey. Use it to inspire self-love and attract loving energies into your life.

Healing Bath: Add a few drops of gin to your bathwater along with healing herbs like chamomile and eucalyptus. Allow the soothing properties of gin to amplify the rejuvenating effects of your bath.

Cleansing Ritual: In a small spray bottle, mix gin with purified water and a few drops of essential oil such as lavender or sage. Use this spray to cleanse and purify your sacred space or ritual tools.

Celebration Potion: Craft a celebratory potion by combining gin with fresh citrus juices and a sprinkle of edible glitter. Use it to toast special occasions and infuse them with joyful energy.

Love Spell Sachet: Fill a small fabric pouch with dried herbs associated with love, such as rose petals, jasmine, and cinnamon. Add a few drops of gin to enhance the potency of the herbs, and carry or place this sachet near your heart to attract love.

Healing Tea Infusion: Add a splash of gin to your herbal tea blend during a healing ritual. It can enhance the energetic properties of the herbs and help facilitate physical and emotional healing.

Cleansing Smoke Blend: Infuse gin with cleansing herbs like white sage, rosemary, and frankincense. Use it to anoint or refresh your herbal smoke sticks, creating a potent blend for purifying your space.

Celebration Candle Dressing: Mix gin with a few drops of essential oil and use it to anoint celebratory candles before lighting them. This imbues the candles with positive energy and amplifies the intention behind your celebrations.

Love Altar Offering: Place a small dish of gin on your love altar as an offering to love deities or spirits. This gesture symbolizes your openness to love and invites their blessings into your life.

Healing Crystal Elixir: Create a crystal elixir by submerging healing stones like rose quartz, amethyst, or clear quartz in a jar of gin overnight. Sip this elixir to imbibe the energetic properties of the crystals and promote overall well-being.

Cleansing Foot Soak: Add a splash of gin to warm water and soak your feet to cleanse and purify your energy. Visualize any negativity being drawn out of your body and into the water, allowing the gin to dissolve it.

Celebration Anointing Oil: Blend gin with a carrier oil and a few drops of uplifting essential oils like orange or ylang-ylang. Use this anointing oil to bless yourself and loved ones during celebrations, infusing them with joyous vibrations.

Love Divination Bath: Create a love divination bath by infusing gin with rosemary, damiana, and a pinch of sea salt. Bathe in this mixture while focusing on your desire for love, allowing the energy to guide your intuition.

Ancestor Offering: Pour a small amount of gin into a dish as an offering to your ancestors during healing rituals. Express gratitude for their guidance and ask for their continued support in your journey towards well-being.

Cleansing Floor Wash: Mix gin with a splash of vinegar, lemon juice, and water to create a cleansing floor wash. Use it to mop your floors, visualizing any stagnant or negative energies being swept away. Charge the wash with a crystal beforehand, but don’t forget to take it out!

Celebration Cleanse Spray: Infuse gin with celebratory herbs like basil, cinnamon, and cloves. Transfer the mixture to a spray bottle and use it to energetically cleanse and bless your space during festivities.

Love Charmed Jewelry: Anoint your love-focused jewelry pieces with a drop of gin to infuse them with loving vibrations. Visualize the jewelry as a talisman for attracting and nurturing love in your life.

Healing Moon Water: Charge a jar of water under the full moon and add a splash of gin to enhance its healing properties. Use this moon water for various purposes like cleansing, healing rituals, or simply to imbibe lunar energy.

Cleansing Bath Bomb: Combine gin with baking soda, citric acid, and your choice of cleansing herbs or essential oils to create a fizzy bath bomb. Drop it in your bathwater to cleanse and rejuvenate your body and spirit.

Celebration Spell Jar: Create a spell jar filled with dried flowers, glitter, and a splash of gin. Seal the jar and use it as a visual representation of celebration and joy in your sacred space.

 

Read about Lizzie here

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An intro to Litha by Lizzie Burgess

Litha – Sunflowers, sunbathing and the solstice

It’s peak summertime here in Wales, and we want to bring you the best of the season with our special summertime celebration. Summer is a great time to spend outdoors, soaking up the sun and enjoying nature’s beauty. Whether gathering with friends to celebrate this magickal time of year or spending time alone in contemplation, summertime is a beautiful opportunity to connect with the spirit of nature.

At this special time of year, we take part in Solstice celebrations and offerings to honour the warmth and light of summer. We decorate with sunflowers, wear bright colours, explore our inner light through meditation practices, dance around the fire and make offerings of thanks for the gifts the Earth provides us. We hold sacred space to honour our ancestors and open ourselves to receive what the summer offers. Nature is in full bloom, giving us an abundance of nourishment and magick that we can take with us throughout the year. This is when witches gather to celebrate Litha.

What is Litha?

Litha is a summer solstice celebration, also known as Midsummer. It is celebrated by many Pagans and Wiccans around the world on the longest day of the year and marks the first day of summer. Traditionally it is a time to honour the sun, celebrate fertility, and give thanks for abundance. For secular witches like myself who don’t honour gods or goddesses, it’s a time to be grateful for the warmth of summer and to take a moment to appreciate the earth with all it provides us when the days are at their longest.

At this special time we also pay attention to our dreams and visions. We use meditation and tarot cards for guidance as we explore deeper connections with ourselves, our community, and the divine.

You’ll find that weddings and handfastings are typically planned around this time too – love magick definitely feels heightened in the light of summertime even into the late evenings. Following on from Beltane and Ostara, the wheel has turned and so has our journey.

Litha is a great opportunity to work with the fae, too, as you’ll remember from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Celebrate the abundance and magick of summer by making offerings to the fae folk, honouring their friendship and connection. A small bowl of milk & honey goes a long way!

Get creative with decorations, take part in rituals that feel right for you, and be sure to spend as much time outdoors as possible – it’s summer after all, and we don’t get a lot of this sunshine normally! There are so many ways to celebrate this special time of year, and so here is some additional inspiration.

Litha Correspondences

  • Crystals: Rose Quartz, Jade, Emerald, Sunstone
  • Colours: Red, Pink, Orange, Gold, Yellow, Bright Green
  • Flowers: Elderflower, St Johns Wort, Lavender, Thyme, Mugwort, Sunflowers
  • Foods: Honey cakes, Mead, Strawberries, Bread, Fresh Salads, Dandelions, Chickweed
  • Activities: Sun-bathing (safely), Dancing around the fire or a bonfire, visiting sacred sites and ancient monuments, making offerings to the fae folk.
  • Magick: Divination, Solar Magick, Fire Magick, Candle Magick, Charging tools and cleansings
  • Deities: Aine, Fortuna, Juno, Cernunnos, Pan, Dionysus, Aphrodite, Bast, Ra, Helios, Apollo

 

About the writer

Lizzie Burgess, a secular divination Bosswitch, runs BackyardBanshee.com where you can learn more about divination methods, rituals and resources that help you with your growth spiritually and professionally. Lizzie is currently finishing the upcoming book “An A to Z of Modern Divination”, where they upcycle and modernize ancient divination methods for a more accessible divinatory practice.

 

 

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Welsh Witch Cocktails to Celebrate World Gin Day

We don’t all need a reason to celebrate, but if you did – it’s World Gin Day! What better way to spend the weekend than to enjoy a refreshing tipple? If you’re looking for some inspiration, join us in our celebration of the magic and diversity of gin as we reminisce on some of our favourite gin cocktails.

 

  1. When the Viking Met the Witch

 

Feast your tastebuds on a delightfully decadent floral and aromatic cocktail this World Gin Day, perfect for those summer evenings with cherished souls. This is a summer version of our favourite winter warming cocktail ‘When the Viking Met the Witch.’ We’ve switched out the hot rooibos tea for cold by letting it cool and make sure to add an abundance of ice before serving. This floral cocktail is perfect for any garden party and feels like a sophisticated twist on fruity iced tea. For this recipe, you’ll need to mix together:

 

1.5oz Welsh Witch Beltane Gin

0.5oz fresh lime juice

0.5oz homemade honey syrup (or just normal honey!)

4oz freshly brewed rooibos tea which has been left to cool

 

You can see this delicious tipple demonstrated by Oli at Oli’s Drinks on Instagram here.

Check out Oli’s Instagram reel on how to make ‘When the Viking Met the Witch’

 

  1. Welsh Witch Strawberry & Elderflower Smash

 

With Wimbledon right around the corner and British strawberry season in full swing, why not try out our delightful Welsh Witch Strawberry & Elderflower Smash? Our Litha gin is packed full of Welsh-inspired floral ingredients, with elderflower the star of the show. Perfect to sip while enjoying a spot of tennis in the sunshine!

 

Muddle a handful of fresh strawberries in the bottom of a cocktail glass.

 

Pour in:

1.5oz Welsh Witch Litha Gin

0.5oz fresh lime juice

0.5oz Simple syrup

…And mix.

 

Fill the glass with ice, then top with:

4oz Soda water

Sprig of basil to garnish

 

Stir well and enjoy! We think this winning combination will be our drink of choice this summer.

 

  1. Simple and Refreshing Cucumber Gin Cocktail

 

A perfect pair for our Original Dry Gin is refreshing and cooling cucumber and zesty lime juice, delightful and delicate for those that prefer a less sweet cocktail.

Mix together the following ingredients for the perfect tipple to remedy a hot summer’s day:

 

Muddle a handful of mint and cucumber pieces in a cocktail shaker.

 

Add 1.5oz Welsh Witch Original Dry Gin and shake, shake shake!

 

Serve with your tonic of choice and garnish with a slice of lime and cucumber.

Enjoy a delightfully refreshing cucumber gin cocktail this World Gin Day!

Which One is Your Favourite?

 

We think they all sound delicious! Let us know if you make any of these and tag us in your creations on Instagram @welshwitch_craftspirits; similarly, if you come up with a new recipe we’d love to see it!

 

Here’s to a magical World Gin Day and hope you get a chance to try some of our magical potions brewed in North Wales.

 

Love and light,

Welsh Witch HQ x

 

 

 

 

 

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3 Enchanting Gifts For Fathers’ Day

As the summer solstice fast approaches, June is the month to celebrate beautiful plants flowering, the longest day and of course, blooming wonderful dads! Today, we’ll be talking about all things gifts on the run up to Fathers’ Day. Stick around for our top Welsh Witch gift ideas, a delightful cocktail recipe to try out on a lovely lazy Sunday and ways you can celebrate the father figure in your life.

 

Now, the date for your diary is the 18th June! Not long to go, but fret not: Welsh Witch HQ have you covered for luxurious gifts everyone will love. We’ve got crowd-pleasers and we’ve got delectable tipples for a refined palate; here’s your one-stop shop for Fathers’ Day 2023.

 

Welsh Witch Gifts for Fathers’ Day Everyone Can Enjoy

 

Our handcrafted and botanically brewed spirits are a gift straight from the heart. Here in our distillery in Wrexham we use Welsh-inspired ingredients from folklore tales and age-old traditions; perfect for that Dad who loves things “how they used to be”. Staying true to our Welsh roots, our award-winning spirits are just the ticket for the perfect gift for Dad. Check out our top 3 picks:

 

  1. Spiced Rum Gift Box

 

A winning combination for a winning Dad: look no further than our Welsh Witch Rum Gift Box. Gorgeously presented in sleek yet minimal packaging, you’ll find our gold award-winning Welsh Witch Spiced Rum and a Welsh Witch rum glass all ready to go for that Sunday afternoon tipple. All you need is some ice and Dad can enjoy our delicious dark rum, with whispers of whiskey and a bara brith inspired spice infusion all on its own, or pair with a botanical cola for that beloved flavour combination we all know and love.

Our Welsh Witch Spiced Rum Gift Box makes for perfect gifts for Fathers’ Day!

 

  1. Welsh Witch Original Dry Gin

 

What’s better than a good old fashioned dry London gin? We think not much! So, a great crowd-pleasing gift this fathers’ day is our Welsh Witch Original Dry Gin. Multi award-winning and excellent paired with a mixer of your choice makes for a great gift any gin lover is sure to adore. Delectable lemon peel and gorse flower give this dry gin a sophisticated edge, making for a perfectly refreshing G&T. If you think that’ll tickle your Dad’s fancy, you can check out our Original Dry Gin here.

A crowd-pleasing Welsh Witch Original Dry Gin, perfect for gin enthusiasts

 

  1. Welsh Witch Premium Glasses

 

A great gift idea for the man that seemingly has it all is a high quality drinking glass for their tipple of choice. Shaped especially for enhancing the tasting and nosing experience, our Welsh Witch glasses are an excellent addition to any home bar or glass collection. Branded with our magical and mystical branding, it’ll be sure to add a unique Welsh spin to each sip.

 

However you choose to show your appreciation this Fathers’ Day, we hope that the day is filled with flavour, enjoyment, and magic. If you’re feeling inspired, our full range of magical Welsh Witch Craft Spirits can be found here.

 

Fathers’ Day Magic Potion Inspiration

 

Perhaps making Dad a fancy cocktail or recipe is a great way to enjoy the special day; carve out some time and enjoy trying out some things together and find out which is your favourite!

 

If you’d like to try something new, you could enjoy our Spiced Rum Butter sauce to lather onto a fruit cake or bara brith loaf. Similarly, you could try out one of our simple Espresso Martini cocktails:

 

Mix the following ingredients together for a Welsh twist on a classic Espresso Martini:

 

50ml Welsh Witch Original Dry Gin

25ml Coffee Liqueur

15ml Sugar Syrup

35ml Fresh Espresso

 

You could even try our blackberry-infused Welsh Witch Imbolc Gin for a fruity twist on a classic espresso martini!

 

Now that’s the treats and tipples sorted, all that’s left is to enjoy the day with your favourite people! We hope the sun is shining and the G&Ts are deliciously refreshing.

 

If you try any of our recipes or brew a totally new magic potion using our spirits, please tag us on Instagram @welshwitch_craftspirits, we’d love to see them! Finally, we hope you Dads out there have a fab day, you rock!

 

Sending love and light from North Wales,

Welsh Witch HQ x

 

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Welsh Witch on Wrexham: Competition, Challenges & Community

A tale of gins: setbacks and springboards

In December 2019, many moons ago in the North Wales hills, the Welsh Witch distillery bloomed to life, ready to take on the world. Armed with beautiful botanical beverages fit for any occasion, Jade (the Welsh Witch herself) and her magic set to taking the gin-dustry by storm with her mystical branding and winning flavour combinations. Of course, in March 2020, the whole world changed when Covid took over the world and shut down life as we knew it. Welsh Witch had to adapt to running a business without being able to interact with customers face to face and engaging in events and talks to get exposure and increase our brand awareness.

Then… things got even more interesting

Now, if this wasn’t hard enough, in November 2020, we then got the news that two Hollywood A-Listers had bought our local town football club, Wrexham AFC. At first, we didn’t think twice about it, but once we found out who had bought the club, we were a little apprehensive! Of course, one of these A-Listers, Ryan Reynolds, is a major shareholder in global gin company Aviation, and the other, Rob McElhenney, owns a whisky company – of everyone it could have been! Not ideal for a small distillery based in Wrexham!

A short time later, Ryan Reynolds was sending pubs in the area free cases of Aviation gin, and then shortly after that they launched a Wrexham AFC edition of Aviation gin. This was interesting news for Jade as a one-woman band just trying to get the magic of the Welsh Witch distillery out there into the big wide world; but she took it in her stride and continued doing what she does best.

Jade busy making potions in her Wrexham distillery

But, little did Jade know this bump in the road in the shape of two Hollywood A-Listers would be the momentum needed to get Welsh Witch off the ground and put Wrexham on the map and radar of flavour and football enthusiasts alike. We’re very grateful things worked out the way they did, plus: a healthy dose of competition did us good! Our spirits have been going from strength to strength winning awards and enchanting the masses; distilled and brewed in the distillery featuring Welsh and Celtic inspired botanicals and ingredients. You can read more about our Spiced Rum Gold Award right here on the Welsh Witch blog.

 

Wrexham AFC going from strength to strength

Did you know: Wrexham AFC is the third oldest professional club in Wales! After being taken over by the new dynamic duo in town, the first year they weren’t promoted to the EFL but this has recently changed, hooray! This newfound success prompted a parade around Wrexham, which was a spectacle of community and enthusiasm, something in these trying times that is more important than ever. Keeping up with their male counter-parts, Wrexham AFC Women team have also been accruing achievements left, right and centre, including their recent promotion to semi-professional status following a string of tough wins. Reynolds’ wife and Gossip Girl icon Blake Lively’s premium mixer business is also their latest sponsor (we bet the Hollywood couple always have a G&T ready to go at home!)

 

Jade has admitted to not being a huge football fan but has always consistently backed Wrexham when the time calls for it. Something she has always admired is the fans for travelling up and down the country; the love and dedication of supporters behind the club is nothing short of heart-warming.

Documentaries and determination

If you’d like some more backstory on the club itself, the documentary Welcome to Wrexham (available on Disney+ and Amazon Prime) is a good insight into the club and its growth and success from the beginning. Hollywood aside, we can attest that the team have played with their heart and soul for the town and continue to do Wrexham proud. Their resilience and determination makes them so entertaining to watch; they are all workhorses and play with all the fire in their bellies just like the Welsh dragon. For that reason Wrexham have gained worldwide fans and recognition, with new fans travelling all the way from the United States to watch them play. And not dissimilarly, Wrexham AFC have scheduled games across the pond where their newfound success we’re sure will be admired and encouraged all the same.

 

Wrexham community spirit and bringing people together

Of course, we’re not here to throw shade on Reynolds and McElhenney. We’re actually here do to the opposite: to thank them! The effect these two have had on the entirety of Wrexham is heart-warming, inspiring and uniting for the passionate community of Wrexham. And, we can’t lie, Aviation gin is good (but don’t tell anyone we said that!) and we are flavour enthusiasts after all, so we can give credit where it’s due. We feel very lucky to be a part of this exciting time and we’re grateful for all the opportunities it’s given the Wild Moon Distillery.

welsh_gin

Our botanical beverages inspired by Celtic folklore are true to Welsh history and traditions

And of course, talking of community spirit; the stadium Wrexham Racecourse Ground is hosting Kings of Leon for an exciting performance just next week! We’re most excited to be welcoming them to our home turf and hope they can soak up the community spirit here (Jade herself will be in the crowd cheering away!). Here’s to hoping it’s a magnificent evening, and maybe they can kick back and enjoy a Welsh Witch gin after the show?!

 

Welsh Witch, to North Wales and beyond

What we do know, is that we’re prouder than ever to be at the heart of the Wrexham community making our potions and elixirs. It’s a wonderful feeling being a part of this place that is full of so many passionate individuals, whether that be for sports, food and drink, or just general Welsh pride. We’re thankful for all of our customers and supporters, wherever you may be – Wrexham or beyond! Jade feels extremely lucky, and it’s a very exciting time in the business journey and we welcome you along for the ride while we continue to expand, make magic and share the wisdom of the Welsh Witch to all the corners of the world.

If any of our tipples have tickled your fancy, you can shop the entire Welsh Witch collection, here.

Everybody is welcome here in Wrexham to enjoy the football, botanical beverages or the good old Welsh fire and enthusiasm!

 

Love and light,

 

Welsh Witch HQ x

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How to Celebrate Beltane: The Welsh Witch’s Guide

The beautiful May Day festival of Beltane is upon us and we’re here to spread some insight and ways you can spend this magical day. Our Welsh Witch herself, founder Jade, is a Beltane baby herself so knows all about the Celtic and pagan traditions and rituals. The festivities are a time of inviting in warmth, fertility and anchoring in hope for the future ahead.

 

What is Beltane?

 

Traditionally, Beltane has been celebrated by Celtics and pagans as a mid-point between the spring and summer solstices for hundreds of years and puts emphasis on the honouring of nature and changing seasons. As an homage to Mother Earth, Beltane is most notably celebrated with fire rituals, bonfires and light. This is traditionally in dedication to the gods to beckon warmer weather and plentiful harvests in the summer months.

 

Welsh Celebrations of Calan Mai

 

Also celebrated on the same day is Calan Mai, the Welsh celebration of May Day. This celebration is known for welcoming the beginning of summer and is very much part of our heritage here in Wales. Together they can be enjoyed hand in hand on the first day of May, as many of the traditions of Calan Mai and Beltane overlap and share similar themes. Singing, dancing and feasting are traditional ways of celebrating the May Day, with maypoles and bonfires aplenty. The Welsh tradition is also known as Calan Haf or Cyntefin and is known in Welsh as the first day of summer. It’s a sign sunshine is on the way!

 

How to Celebrate Beltane

There are many different ways in which you can celebrate, and of course, it is important to engage in rituals that feel authentic to you. Use your intuition and take what resonates if you’re looking for some inspiration this Beltane.

beltane fire

How will you choose to celebrate Beltane this year?

Get Festive with Florals

With flowers and botanicals abundant at this time of year, many blooming due to the coming of spring, what better way to celebrate than harnessing their magic? Many pagans and celebrators of May Day utilise these flowers by creating wreaths, harvesting flowers to dry or press, decorating an altar with their blooms (picked responsibly of course!). Brew some floral tea, bake some recipes that utilise seasonal flowers, get creative and find a way to honour the seasonal produce! This is a way that interweaves mother nature with our every day and connects us deeply to our environment.

 

Get Together with Friends and Loved Ones

 Times such as Beltane have always traditionally been a time of coming together, honouring nature and one another and celebrating in unity. Finding a community of likeminded individuals, whether that is online through social media, or through local events, is an exciting way to feel a part of something bigger. Organise a women’s or community circle event, get together with your closest friends for an evening of food, drinks, gratitude and crafts, or plan a meal with loved ones. This feeling of togetherness is a long-standing pagan tradition and it’s a perfect way to welcome in a new sabbat of the Wheel of the Year. Talk about what you’re looking forward to this year, what you’re grateful for, or discuss your worries and anxieties with people you feel safe with.

 

Eat and Drink Your Way Through Beltane

Of course, many of us are very passionate about good food and drink. What better way to celebrate than with delicious dishes and botanical beverages?! Of course, we’re a little biased here at Welsh Witch HQ, but we’re allowed to be, when founder Jade has worked hard to create the Beltane Edition Welsh Witch Gin, perfect for this day and any other! Packed with natural botanicals and a fiery kick of cinnamon to honour the Beltane fire rituals, our Beltane Gin is a perfect excuse to get together with your besties and share a tipple on May Day (plus, it’s a bank holiday – there’s no reason not to!)

beltane_gin

Our magical Beltane Gin, brewed with love in North Wales

Practice a Fire Ritual

So many fire ceremonies and rituals are associated with Beltane; why not give your own a go? Join up with friends and light a bonfire; talk about your intentions and maybe release any negative feelings by writing them on paper and burning them in the fire. You could also write down your goals for the rest of the year and burn those too, as a physical act of manifestation and writing your intentions to the universe. For something more low key, get relaxed and cosy, light a candle (our Gin & Tonic Candle is a great shout!) and reflect on what you’d like this year to bring.

beltane_candle

Our Welsh Witch with a lovely candle ready for Beltane celebrations

 

However you practice Beltane, we hope you have a marvellous May Day. Maybe try a new tradition with friends or loved ones, or enjoy a relaxing evening in with food and good times. Use your intuition and celebrate in a way that feels authentic for you. We’re wishing you all the Beltane blessings from Welsh Witch HQ and sending love and light from North Wales.