Regency-inspired cocktails that Lady Whistledown herself would approve of
The Regency era represents the height of romanticism. Jane Austen, Thomas Lawrence, and the glittery adornments and delicate clothing of that time period are iconic and unrepeatable. Perhaps that’s why millions of viewers are hooked on Bridgerton, which has broken numerous streaming records since its Netflix debut in December 2020.
To celebrate the debut of Season 3 Part 2—Penelope! Colin! Cressida’s sleeves!—we have some Regency-inspired cocktails for a Bridgerton-inspired happy hour.
We also chatted with Daniel Beedle, Assistant Food & Beverage Director at Kimpton the Forum Hotel in Charlottesville about bringing Regency-era aesthetics to cocktail recipes and, naturally, what his Bridgerton name would be.
Beedle has been the Assistant Food & Beverage Director at Kimpton The Forum Hotel since January 2023. He oversees their beverage programming at their three onsite outlets: Birch & Bloom, a modern steakhouse overlooking the hotel’s botanical garden; The Good Sport, an elevated sports bar serving crafted cocktails and local brews; and Aspen Bar, the hotel’s lively lobby bar.
“My focus is on sustainability, using ingredients from local purveyors and the hotel’s five-acre botanical garden, and introducing zero-waste methods and composting in our beverage program,” Beedle explained. “We also launched Cocktails for a Cause, donating $1 per cocktail to local nonprofits each month.”
Beedle’s career began in Oregon at LeVelle Vineyard, which led him to experiences in New York where he served as sommelier at The NoMad and wine director at Michelin-starred Betony and Juni. He was named one of WIne Enthusiast’s “40 Under 40: America’s Tastemakers” and earned Wine Spectator’s “Award of Excellence.” Beedle then went on to work globally with Chef Manish Mehrotra’s Indian Accent in New York, London, and New Delhi, and later as Corporate Beverage Director at LDV Hospitality. He founded Sage Beverage Consulting, advising Michelin-starred restaurants like Agern. But after years of traveling, Beedle was ready for a role that would keep him in one place.
“What really excites me about my role at Kimpton The Forum is the chance to incorporate Virginia’s natural produce into our menus and build sustainable offerings,” he said. “We have so many opportunities for unique programming here. For instance, this month (June), we’re hosting a Cocktail Master Class that dives into the history of spirits and cocktails. We’ve also got some great Summer Soiree events coming up, like the Lo-Fi High Tea and Casamigos Summer Supper. I’m really looking forward to continuing to build relationships with the local community and creating memorable experiences for our guests.”
Birch & Bloom is known for its lush botanical backdrop and, similarly, Bridgerton is known for its elaborate (though not necessarily historically accurate) costumes and aesthetics—it almost feels like a natural pairing. According to Beedle, aesthetics should always be taken into account when creating signature cocktail recipes.
“I never separate the two,” he advised. “It’s always about experience as a whole and it has to have both. You always have to consider where they are drinking—what’s the vibe, season, color scheme of the room, music, and, most importantly, your target audience. I would make entirely different cocktails for young adults in their 20s versus people in their 60s. They’ve been exposed to different things and different trends, so you have to create a cocktail list that paints with all the colors.
So what about a cocktail list for, say, a group of ladies in their first season out in society? We’re glad you asked.
Suzey-Q
Recipe by Kimpton the Forum Hotel
“This is a very balanced and refreshing highball with flavors of juniper, gentian flower, and grapefruit. This is a wonderful cocktail for food and is my favorite for leafy salads and green vegetables.” – Daniel Beedle, Assistant Food and Beverage Director for Kimpton the Forum Hotel
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. Beefeater gin
- 1 oz. Giffard pamplemouse
- ½ oz. Suze
- ¼ oz. honey syrup (recipe below)
- 1 oz. lemon juice
- 2 oz. soda
Directions:
- Make the honey syrup: Add ¼ cup of honey and ⅛ cup of warm water to a squeeze bottle. Recipe makes more than one serving.
- Make the cocktail: Combine all ingredients except the soda into a cocktail shaker. Prime a Collins glass with ice and 2 oz. of soda water. Double strain the cocktail mixture into the Collins glass. Garnish with nasturtium or edible flower of choice.
Bridgerton Berry Bramble
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. Sipsmith gin
- 1 oz. fresh lemon juice
- ½ oz. simple syrup
- ½ oz Giffard crème de mûre (blackberry liqueur)
- Fresh blackberries and lemon wheel for garnish
Directions:
- Fill a glass with crushed ice.
- In a shaker, combine gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
- Shake well and strain over the crushed ice.
- Drizzle crème de mûre over the top.
- Garnish with fresh blackberries and a lemon wheel.
The Featherington Fizz
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice gin
- 1 oz. fresh lemon juice
- ¾ oz. simple syrup
- 2 dashes orange bitters
- Egg white
- Soda water
- Lemon peel for garnish
Directions:
- In a shaker, combine gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white.
- Dry shake (without ice) vigorously to create a frothy texture.
- Add ice to the shaker and shake again until well chilled.
- Strain into a tall glass filled with ice.
- Top with soda water.
- Garnish with a lemon peel.
Regency Rose
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. Bloom gin
- 1 oz. rose water (or a few drops of rose essence diluted in water)
- ½ oz. fresh lemon juice
- ½ oz. simple syrup
- Edible rose petals for garnish
Directions
- In a shaker, combine gin, rose water, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
- Fill the shaker with ice and shake gently.
- Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
- Garnish with a few edible rose petals.
Final notes from Daniel Beedle of Kimpton the Forum Hotel: If you’re having a Bridgerton-themed cocktail party at home, a simple combination of Roku Japanese gin with Fever Tree ginger beer is a great option.
“Easy, simple, refreshing, and fantastic,” he said. “And my Bridgerton name would be…Lord Truffleton.”
Don’t miss the Cocktail Master Class at The Aspen Bar, every Saturday starting June 1.
Cocktail Master Class | The Aspen Bar
- Date: Every Saturday, starting June 1, 2024
- Time: 4:00 p.m.
- Description: School is out, but class is in session this summer at The Aspen Bar inside Kimpton the Forum. Join expert mixologist Daniel Beedle for a 9-week series exploring the rich history of spirits and cocktails, covering a new topic each week. Learn the origins of agave, pre-prohibition cocktails, and the evolution of drinks like the Aperol Spritz. Gain insights into the history of spirits and master techniques to use at home.
- Pricing: Adults $36
- Reservation: Book your reservation here.
