Isle of Wight distillery created the serve with mixologist Joe Brayford, AKA Today’s Tipple
With consumers increasingly swapping nights out for elevated nights in, Mermaid is embracing what it believes is one of autumn’s defining entertaining trends: ‘From Night Out to Night In’. The Isle of Wight spirits brand has partnered with drinks creator and mixologist Joe Brayford, AKA Today’s Tipple, to create the Mermaid Hot Honey Martini, a seasonal cocktail combining hot honey and the martini format.
The serve is made using Mermaid Winter Gin, white port, hot honey and orange bitters, and has been designed for the season ahead, when evenings draw in, dinner parties return and consumers look for ways to elevate gatherings at home. Mermaid said the launch comes as hot honey continues its rise across food and drink, appearing on restaurant menus, sharing plates, desserts and cocktails, while the martini remains an influential serve in contemporary cocktail culture.
The Mermaid Hot Honey Martini was developed with Joe Brayford, who has worked with Mermaid on previous cocktail projects including the Dirty Sartini. Mermaid said it and Joe set out to create a serve that felt contemporary and trend-led, while staying true to the island-inspired character and botanical complexity of the Mermaid range.
Joe Brayford, Today’s Tipple, said: “We’re seeing drinkers become much more adventurous with flavour while still gravitating towards classic serves, which is why the martini continues to resonate. Hot honey is one of those ingredients people are genuinely excited about right now because it adds both sweetness and complexity – combined with Mermaid Winter Gin, it creates a cocktail that feels contemporary, seasonal and sophisticated. The touch of extra sweetness from the hot honey, coupled with the warming rounded gin makes it a uniquely accessible variation for new martini drinkers, while the complexity and depth of flavour still appeal to martini fans.”
Mermaid said Mermaid Winter Gin is crafted using responsibly sourced botanicals, including the brand’s signature rock samphire, sustainably foraged from the island’s shoreline and known locally as “Mermaid’s Kiss”, and coastal figs. According to Mermaid, these botanicals deliver warming spice, bright citrus and rich fruit notes, resulting in a serve that balances sweet heat, warming citrus and botanical richness.
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Xavier Baker, co-founder of Mermaid and the Isle of Wight Distillery, said: “We’re seeing people place greater value on gathering at home and creating memorable experiences around the table. For us, this season is all about the move from night out to night in. People still want premium experiences, but they’re increasingly creating them themselves through great food, thoughtful hosting and quality drinks. The Hot Honey Martini was created to be part of those moments, combining a flavour that’s trending right now with the seasonal character of Mermaid Winter Gin.”
Mermaid Hot Honey Martini recipe: 60ml Mermaid Winter Gin, 20ml White Port, 1 bar spoon hot honey, 2 dashes orange bitters. Add all ingredients to a mixing glass filled with ice and stir until chilled and diluted, then strain into a chilled martini or coupe glass and serve.
For more information, visit www.isleofwightdistillery.com.
