To celebrate Wimbledon, Jay Ditum has picked four cocktails that reflect this century’s big four in the men’s game – guaranteed to put Pimm’s in the shade.
We’re nearing Wimbledon. Its suburban charm and sun-kissed courts are a prestigious highlight in the British calendar and, despite it coming around every year, there’s always a glint of nostalgia that comes with it. And with nostalgia often comes a drink, so here’s a fusion of the two: the famous big four as a selection of Wimbledon’s favourite cocktails, courtesy of Difford’s guide.
The Courtside – Roger Federer
The straight sets winner. Refreshing and easy on the eye, and certainly easy to drink. This drink has elegance and class and has cemented itself as a fan favourite.
There are few better words to describe Roger Federer than those above. It seemed the man never ran, but floated. His fluttering one-handed backhands just grazing the white lines, a flip of the hair over the sweatband with a swoosh to match. Eight titles.
45 ml Vodka
15 ml Elderflower liquer
45 ml Cloudy apple juice
15 ml Fresh lime juice
10 ml Cane sugar syrup
Top with soda water, fresh mint, strawberries & raspberries.
The Game Set Match – Novak Djokovic
There might have been a time where you’d wince having a sip of one of these, as they have been known to leave quite a bitter taste in the mouth. But once you’re past the rougher edges here, there’s a complexity that you just have to respect.
Perhaps once a pantomime villain in SW19, the Joker’s tenacity and grit has left us all speechless at times. He arguably annexed the big four to a big three, and is still challenging in the new era of tennis. This summer he will look to extend his surely unassailable record of grand slam titles.
50 ml Bourbon whiskey
15 ml Sweet vermouth
15 ml Cynar
Orange wedge & maraschino cherry
Honey Deuce – Rafael Nadal
This drink is light on its feet, the vodka is sharp and crisp, and after a couple you’ll start to feel its power. There’s certainly a line to draw with one this strong – or a baseline, if you will.
Arguably the greatest tennis match of all time, the 2008 final was deuce after deuce and tie-break after tie-break between Federer and Nadal. Nadal prevailed after four hours 48 minutes, clinching the first of his two Wimbledon titles, and the King of Clay had invaded the grass.
45 ml Vodka
30 ml Lemon juice
10 ml Honey syrup
60 ml Soda water
15 ml Black raspberry liquer
Gin and Tonic – Andy Murray
Let’s just address the one elephant in the room quickly: only one of these things is English. However, both are adored by the English. This is one of the best mixed drinks ever, and although it might not bear the beauty of a Courtside, the grit of the Game Set Match, or the power of a Honey Deuce – it’s still everyone’s number one pick.
Andy Murray toyed with the heartstrings of tennis fans for years, and it’s fair to assume his name would be scratched on to the board of the All England Club far more times had these three not been around to stymie him. “I’m going to try but this isn’t going to be easy,” he said after 2012 heartbreak. It was much easier for him on Centre Court the following year.
50 ml London dry gin
100 ml Tonic water
Ice & Lemon wedge
Jay Ditum is Fitzdares’ Social Media Manager.
