The much talked about Salcombe Distilling Co, the team behind Salcombe Gin, has teamed up with the stunning South Sands Boutique Hotel to create the ultimate pairing for Salcombe Crabfest – a crab canapé and gin cocktail combo – to be served all day at the Salcombe Distilling Co bar, Island Street, on Sunday 30th April.

The “Mary Celeste” is Salcombe Distilling Co's unique take on a Bloody Mary and will be served alongside a Salcombe Crab Vietnamese spring roll, fresh herbs, celery & tomato gels, developed by South Sands Hotel head chef Allister Bishop especially for the cocktail. Crafted using a limited edition Salcombe Chilli Gin created specifically for Crabfest and a tomato consommé  base, the Mary Celeste pairs perfectly with Salcombe crab.

Allister Bishop, head chef at South Sands Hotel, comments on the culinary collaboration: “It's been brilliant to work with Angus and Howard from the multiple award-winning Salcombe Distilling Co. creating a perfect Spring canapé of Salcombe Crab - the star of the weekend - to match their unique gin cocktail.”

Salcombe Distilling Co. co-founder, Angus Lugsdin, explains: “Bloody Marys are a strange drink in that you normally craft the cocktail around an odourless, flavour neutral spirit, adding flavourings such as Tabasco, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish and lemon juice. Instead we have created a limited edition gin, where many of the traditional flavourings added to a Bloody Mary have been added to the gin itself, as botanicals during the distillation process. This results in a gin with the flavourings of a Bloody Mary that are then mixed with the tomato base, which will pair beautifully with the fresh, tomato-led flavours of Allister's crab canapé.”

To create a light and refreshing alternative to the Bloody Mary, Salcombe Distilling Co decided to use the tomato consommé  to create an almost clear cocktail, the “Ghost of Mary” or “Mary Celeste”. The Chilli Gin is smooth and balanced like the original Salcombe Gin, but has a pleasant warming sensation from head distiller and chilli aficionado Jason Nickels' blend of fresh chillies and horseradish.

The bar will be open 10am-8pm with live music in the distillery courtyard from 10am-4pm following by a funk and soul set on the decks until 6pm. An all day outdoor bar in the courtyard will serve the Crabfest 'Mary Celeste' cocktail and South Sands' Vietnamese Spring Roll canapé, in addition to the Signature Serve 'Salcombe & Tonic', plus a variety of soft drinks.

Salcombe Gin owners Angus and Howard will also have a Gin School open house from 11am-12pm and from 2pm-3pm where visitors can pop in to see what the school is all about.

Catch Allister, head chef at South Sands Hotel, at 1pm as he joins other local chefs for a series of demonstrations during the day.

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Notes to editor:

For more information about Salcombe Gin, book a Gin School experience or buy a gift voucher visit www.salcombegin.com, email ilovegin@salcombegin.com or call 01548 288180. 

1. Each batch of Salcombe Gin is distilled with an unrivalled passion, care and attention to detail, and blended together with Dartmoor water to produce consistently perfect gin.

2. Salcombe Gin is created using the one shot method, according to the 'London Dry' standard.

3. Salcombe Gin 'Start Point' 44% 70cl bottle (£37.50) is available to buy nationwide from various retailers, farm shops, food halls and delicatessens plus from the Salcombe Gin website www.salcombegin.com and can be purchased directly at the distillery.

For further information on South Sands hotel visit www.southsands.com, email enquiries@southsands.com. To keep up to date with their latest news follow South Sands on Twitter (@SouthSandsHotel), like on Facebook or follow on Instagram @SouthSandsBoutiqueHotel.

1. South Sands Hotel is located on South Sands beach just outside Salcombe town center in a secluded cove. There is a ferry which operates between April and October (subject to sea and weather conditions) which takes guests from the hotel into the heart of Salcombe

2. Gift vouchers for all occasions are available

3. A full list of forthcoming events – including wine suppers, beer fests, murder mysteries and 'Forest and Beach' days - can be found on the website

For further information on both Salcombe Distilling Co or South Sands Hotel please contact:

Hayley Reynolds at RAW PR and Marketing - hayley@rawprandmarketing.co.uk;

Tel: 07887 474 104; @RawSW; @HayleyJReynolds