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Spring has officially arrived, which means it’s time for that annual ritual: opening the windows, letting in fresh air, and giving your home a proper refresh. While modern cleaning products make the job easier, Tudors had their own inventive – and fragrant- ways of welcoming the season.
A Tudor Deep Clean (no Henry Hoover required)
In Tudor England, spring cleaning wasn’t just about appearances—it was practically a survival strategy. After months of damp, smoky indoor living, homes needed a serious reset. Floors were cleared of old rushes, windows were flung open, and homes were filled with fresh herbs.
Instead of antibacterial sprays, they relied on bundles of aromatic plants to mask odours and, so they believed, to protect against illness. Two standout favourites? Lemon balm and rosemary—herbs that are still doing good work today, just in a far more delicious format!
Lemon Balm: Tudor air freshener extraordinaire
If the Tudors had candles labelled “Spring Meadow” or “Citrus Burst,” lemon balm would have been it. With its light, lemony scent, it was used to freshen rooms, lift spirits, and make everything feel just a bit more alive again.
People would scatter it across floors or steep it in infusions, letting that bright aroma cut through the lingering gloom of winter. Today, lemon balm still brings that same gentle freshness—only now, it tends to show up in far more appealing places: like your gin glass.
Rosemary: The Tudor Powerhouse
Rosemary, on the other hand, was the overachiever of the herb world. Strong, piney, and impossible to ignore, it was burned, bundled, and hung throughout homes to purify the air.
It also carried symbolic weight—associated with memory and renewal—making it perfect for spring’s “out with the old, in with the new” energy. Rosemary wasn’t just cleaning the house; it was setting intentions.
From Tudor floors to your favourite drink
Fast forward a few centuries, and while we’ve upgraded our cleaning methods, our love for these botanicals hasn’t changed. Lemon balm and rosemary are still prized for their fresh, uplifting qualities—now captured beautifully in Stratford Dry Gin.
And this spring, enjoying these flavours couldn’t be easier. Alongside our cocktails featuring fresh botanicals, we’re excited to launch our Tom Collins Pre-Mixed Cocktail—bright, crisp, and effortlessly refreshing. Combining Stratford Dry Gin with zesty lemon and subtle sweetness, it’s perfectly balanced for easy drinking. One mix, and you can enjoy the classic Tom Collins, a Bramble twist, or even a French 75 style serve—three cocktails in one!
Spring Cocktails to brighten your day
Whether you’re embracing a proper spring refresh or just want something light to sip while enjoying the sunshine, here are a few easy, spring-ready serves using our Tom Collins Pre-Mixed Cocktail:
🍋 Tom Collins
- Lemon wedge garnish
- Pour 100ml of pre-mixed cocktail over ice
- Top with 100ml soda
🥂 French 75
- Slowly top with sparkling wine
- Pour 50ml of pre-mixed cocktail into a flute
🌸 Bramble
- Pour 75ml of pre-mixed cocktail over ice
- Slowly pour/float 25ml Mulberry Gin Liqueur
- Lemon wedge garnish
A fresh start
The Tudors relied on herbs to freshen their homes, but the spirit of spring renewal remains the same: clear out the old, welcome in the new, and surround yourself with things that make you feel good.
Whether that’s a proper deep clean or just pouring yourself a refreshing Stratford Dry G&T or Tom Collins cocktail, spring has never tasted this fresh!
