Harvey's Bristol Cream Sherry

Harveys Bristol Cream is the world’s best selling sherry. Harveys has produced fine Spanish sherry from the Jerez region of Spain since 1796.

Harveys Bristol Cream stands out from other sherries in taste and quality. Harveys Bristol Cream is a blend of three sherry types — Fino, Amontillado and Oloroso, all created from the Palomino grape – that are then sweetened with Pedro Ximénez wine. Each adds a unique flavor and textural element ...
...guarded company secret. Harveys Bristol Cream sweetness is ultimately adjusted to 13.8 - 14.2% by the addition of wine created from the sun-dried Pedro Ximénez, which adds a creamy, raisiny richness.

The Bristol Blue bottle was introduced in 1996 to mark Harveys 200th anniversary. Bristol, besides being an important seaport, had become one of Britain’s centers for the manufacture of fine colored glass by the 1720s. The term "Bristol ... more

Harveys Bristol Cream is the world’s best selling sherry. Harveys has produced fine Spanish sherry from the Jerez region of Spain since 1796.

Harveys Bristol Cream stands out from other sherries in taste and quality. Harveys Bristol Cream is a blend of three sherry types — Fino, Amontillado and Oloroso, all created from the Palomino grape – that are then sweetened with Pedro Ximénez wine. Each adds a unique flavor and textural element to the final blend. The final blend is a closely guarded company secret. Harveys Bristol Cream sweetness is ultimately adjusted to 13.8 - 14.2% by the addition of wine created from the sun-dried Pedro Ximénez, which adds a creamy, raisiny richness.

The Bristol Blue bottle was introduced in 1996 to mark Harveys 200th anniversary. Bristol, besides being an important seaport, had become one of Britain’s centers for the manufacture of fine colored glass by the 1720s. The term "Bristol Blue" arose from the fact that Bristol was the point of supply for the coloring agent, Saxon cobalt oxide (smalt), which produced the wonderful, deep blue. This oxide was not easily available in Britain until the 1760s, when a Bristol porcelain manufacturer, William Cookworthy, purchased the entire stock from the Royal Saxon Smalt Works and made it available to glassmakers throughout the country.

Harveys Bristol Cream is about 8 years old at the time of bottling. It is an amber-coloured sherry with smoky orange rind and caramel aromas. It is flavoured with vanilla beans, toasted caramel and toffee. The overall effect is one of mellowness and richness.

Traditionally Harveys Bristol Cream is served well chilled as an aperitif or as an after-dinner drink straight. Recently there has been a trend to drink it on the rocks with a wedge of lemon, lime or slice of orange. It is also used as an ingredient for a variety of cocktails. I have included some below:

After Glow
4 oz. cranberry juice cocktail
1 ½ oz. Harveys Bristol Cream
1 ½ oz. orange juice
¾ oz. Hiram Walker Cinnamon Schnapps
Orange slice

Combine all ingredients except orange slices. Heat just until mixture simmers. Pour into serving cup and garnish with orange slices.

Citrus Twist
2 ½ oz. Harveys Bristol Cream
2 oz. coconut cream
1 ½ oz. lemon juice
½ oz. Rose’s lime juice
3 ice cubes
Lime & lemon slices

Combine Harveys Bristol Cream, coconut cream, lemon juice, lime juice and ice cubes in a blender. Cover and blend until smooth. Pour into a tall glass and garnish with lime and lemon slices.

Millionaire Manhattan
¾ oz. Harveys Bristol Cream
1 ½ oz. Canadian Club
Cherry

Fill rocks glass with ice. Add Harveys Bristol Cream and Canadian Club. Stir and garnish with cherry before serving.

Harveys Hawaiian Lei
2 ½ oz. Harveys Bristol Cream
2 ½ oz. pineapple juice
1 oz. coconut cream
½ oz. lime juice
2 ice cubes
Lime slice and pineapple wedge

Combine Harveys Bristol Cream, pineapple juice, coconut cream, lime juice and ice cubes in container of electric blender. Cover and blend until smooth. Pour into tall glass and garnish with lime slice and pineapple wedge.

Harveys Bee Sting
1 ½ oz. Harveys Bristol Cream
3 oz. orange juice
1 Tbsp. honey
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
Orange slices

Combine Harveys Bristol Cream, orange juice, honey and lemon juice in a blender. Cover and blend until smooth. Serve over ice, garnished with orange slices.

Harveys Sunset
1 ½ oz. Harveys Bristol Cream
4 oz. orange juice
Orange slice

Combine Harveys Bristol Cream and orange juice in a tall glass over ice. Garnish with an orange slice.

Priced at about £6.99 for 75cl, It is not the cheapest of sherries but the quality is worth the extra expense.

Personally, this is my favourite of all sherries (and I have tried a few). The mellowness is unsurpassable. The bottle gives an elegant feeling and gives a bit of English pride knowing it is made from Bristol glass. This is always a must buy at christmas in my house. The children traditionally have to leave Father Christmas a glass (though why father has to get the glass I don't know - Mother Christmas should get a look in as well).

I would recommend this drink to everyone. Try it on the rocks or as one of the cocktails as a change.

 

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