Nothing conjures the taste of British summertime like strawberries; whether in a bowl with double cream or at the heart of our fine Treguddick No.19 Strawberry Liqueur. We’ve grabbed every last quark of strawberry-ness out of our strawbs’ through distillation and maceration of fresh Brit’ strawbs with a blim of vanilla. Utterly lovely!!
But how did this red jewel of summer come to define the British palate?
Well… the wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca) has been eaten by humans since the Stone Age, but the cultivated variety we know today – Fragaria × ananassa – is new-ish. It was first developed in 18th-century France by crossing two New World species: the Virginian strawberry from North America and the Chilean strawberry (F. chiloensis), which had been brought to Europe by Amédée-François Frézier around 1714.
From botanical curiosity to edible luxury, strawberries quickly captivated European palates. Their spread across our Spectred Isle accelerated by improvements in transport during the 19th century, particularly the railways, which allowed fresh produce to reach urban markets from Kent and the Thames Valley, areas still famed for strawberry growing to this very day.
By the late Victorian era, strawberries had secured their place in the national psyche as a symbol of summer, class and indulgence. Afternoon tea and summer fêtes often included bowls of strawberries and cream – a combination believed to have first been popularised in the 16th century by Thomas Wolsey, Henry VIII’s Lord Chancellor, who reportedly served the duo at his lavish banquets. The simple luxury of the pairing made it a natural fit for British high society and has remained a seasonal delight ever since.
What about Wimbledon? I hear your chomp (mouth half full of a strawbs).
It’s the oldest tennis tournament in the world, first held in 1877 at the All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club in SW19. Originally a croquet club founded in 1868, it hosted its first tennis championship with just 22 male participants. The women’s competition followed in 1884.
Strawberries and cream were introduced as a tournament refreshment in 1877 – partly due to their seasonal availability and because they aligned with the genteel, pastoral image of the event. Today, they are almost as iconic as the white dress code.
In scoreboard summary fashion:
Wimbledon 2025 Facts:
Start Date: 30 June 2025
Visitors: Approximately 500,000 people are expected to attend in person over the fortnight.
Global Audience: Watched by an estimated 500 million viewers worldwide.
Strawberry Stats: Around 190,000 portions of strawberries and cream are sold at Wimbledon annually.
UK Strawberry Consumption: The UK consumes over 150,000 tonnes of strawberries each year, mostly between May and September.
But back to more important things: Your Treguddick No. 19 Strawberry Liqueur can elegantly twist a variety of classic cocktails or inspire fresh creations!
Here are a few serves ideal for to sip and some for home experimentation:
Strawberry Liqueur Spritz
A light, effervescent serve for warm afternoons.
50ml Treguddick No. 19 strawberry liqueur
75ml prosecco or English sparkling wine
25ml soda water
Garnish: fresh mint & sliced strawberry
Build in a wine glass over ice. Stir gently.
Wimbledon Fizz
A gin-forward cocktail that nods to the G&T and tennis whites.
25ml Treguddick No. 19 strawberry liqueur
25ml Dr J’s Gin
15ml fresh lemon juice
Top with chilled elderflower tonic
Garnish: cucumber ribbon and strawberry
Serve in a highball over ice.
Strawberry & Basil Collins
Herbaceous, fresh, and fruit-laden.
50ml Treguddick No. 19 strawberry liqueur
25ml Spitfire vodka or Spitfire gin
20ml lime juice
2 basil leaves (shaken in)
Top with soda water
Shake first four ingredients with ice, strain into an ice-filled glass, top with soda. Garnish with a basil leaf.
Strawberry Negroni
A bittersweet aperitif twist.
50ml Treguddick No. 19 strawberry liqueur
25ml sweet vermouth
25ml Campari
Stir over ice and strain into a rocks glass with a large cube. Garnish with orange zest.
The SW19 Martini
Elegant and potent – for late evening garden parties.
50ml Seax vodka
25ml Treguddick No. 19 strawberry liqueur
10ml dry vermouth
Dash of orange bitters (optional)
Stir over ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a thin slice of strawberry.
This summer, let the unmistakable aroma of fresh strawberries and the prestige of the All England Club transport your guests to centre court – one glass at a time with Treguddick No. 19 strawberry liqueur!
Cheers!
Dr. J
