When I brought Cocktail Drop back to life earlier this year, I made a promise to myself: no scrimping on quality, and a focus on the local talent right here on our doorstep.
I’ve always said that a great cocktail is only as good as its weakest ingredient. So, when it came to designing the Lychee Blossom, I knew a "standard" off-the-shelf gin wouldn't cut it. I needed something with soul, something made with the same obsession for detail that I put into my own batches.
A Chance Encounter
Back in March, after a shout-out on social media for local partners, I was contacted by Sam from Raw Honey Distillery in Fetcham. We met up at the end of the month to talk shop—obsessing over botanicals, production methods, and what it actually takes to make a "superstar" standard drink in a home-grown setting.
It was immediately clear that we were on the same page. Raw Honey isn't just making gin; they’re distilling a bit of Surrey heritage into every bottle. Their honey-distilled gin has a specific smoothness that is hard to find elsewhere—and I knew it would be the perfect backbone for our newest signature serve.
Meet the Lychee Blossom
The goal was to create the "cooler, floral cousin" of the classic White Lady - one of my all-time favourite drinks.
By blending Raw Honey’s locally made gin with crisp Cointreau and the delicate, velvet-sweet notes of lychee, we’ve created something that is bright, botanical, and impeccably balanced. It’s a sophisticated, "grown-up" cocktail that swaps sugary syrupy notes for a silky, floral finish.
Why Collaboration Matters
This isn’t just about a new recipe; it’s about the "Heritage" part of the Cocktail Drop story. From the early days of Grevfest 2021 to the Friday delivery rounds in Ashtead, this business has always been about community.
Collaborating with makers like Sam means we can offer you something you won't find on a supermarket shelf. It’s a closed-loop of quality: sourced in Fetcham, batched in Ashtead, and delivered to your door.
How to get yours
The first batch of the Lychee Blossom will be ready for delivery on May 14th.
As with all our releases, batch sizes are strictly limited to ensure everything meets my standards. You can find it on the shop now—serve it ice-cold in a chilled coupe, add a lemon twist (or a rose petal if you're feeling fancy), and taste the difference that local craft makes.
A Note on Our Partners
If you enjoy the botanical backbone of this cocktail as much as I do, I highly recommend checking out the rest of the Raw Honey Distillery lineup. From their signature honey-distilled gin to their seasonal experiments, Sam and the team are doing incredible things over in Fetcham. You can explore their full range and support another local maker at https://www.rawhoneydistillery.com.
Cheers to new beginnings (and local gin),
Conor 🍸😎