The melon was created by Bradford’s forefathers around 1840 and was once one of the most important and coveted melons of the South. Join COLAtoday to read this article. Ingredients: ¼ cucumber, peeled and chopped 1 Tbs. Six & Twenty Distillery and The Bradford Watermelon Company are pleased to announce the 2015 Bradford Family Watermelon Brandy. (function( timeout ) { Six & Twenty Bradford Family Watermelon Brandy, $100. 0 out of 5 $ 99.99. . Robert Redmond of Six & Twenty is a descendant of the infamous Southern moonshiner Louis Redmond, so pairing Bradford Watermelons grown by Nat Bradford himself with Six & Twenty’s deep roots in distilling history blends two strong, Southern stories and creates one distinctly Southern product. The Bradford watermelon quickly acquired a reputation as the South's greatest watermelon. The moving forgiveness modeled by the survivors inspired many, and Nat Bradford felt the desire to use his product to help heal race relationships in a more meaningful way than simply removing a Confederate Battle Flag. Read more about our brandy here. CUCUMBER MINT SPRITZ. Distilled with a clean, unbelievably smooth fruity finish this Brandy is available in very limited quantities in … Bradford Family Watermelon Brandy! Because it was so soft, it didn’t ship well, and so by 1922, the commercial crops had stopped. These are supposedly the sweetest watermelons available on the market today. The Bradford was prized because of its fragrant, sweet and soft flesh. The heirloom Bradford Watermelon, long thought extinct, is being reintroduced to chefs, gardeners and food enthusiasts around the world! Watermelons have been grown in the southern U.S. since the late 18th century. See More. More than a century ago, the Bradford Watermelon was the sweetest, juiciest watermelon around; now, thanks to the latest generation of the Bradford family in S.C., they're back. Dec 10, 2015 - Products derived from the Bradford Family Watermelon and developed by The Bradford Watermelon Company. The brandy is handcrafted from the sweet juice of the Bradford Watermelon and is unbelievably smooth, with a clean, fruity finish. He loved our commitment to local and heritage seeds, and gave us a call about making brandy with the Bradford because we were weird enough to do it,” Blackwell said. Our brandy is handcrafted exclusively from the sweet juice of the Bradford Watermelon and is distilled seasonally in small batches by Six & Twenty Distillery. Bradford Watermelon Company - Bradford Watermelon Products. The brandy is handcrafted in small batches exclusively from the sweet juice of Bradford Watermelons grown by Nat Bradford himself. 3 min read / CBS News. 2.9K likes. Brandy! })(120000); 3K likes. Around 1840, Nathaniel Napoleon Bradford of Sumter County, S.C., crossed the Lawson with the Mountain Sweet. Nat Bradford holds a Bradford watermelon, known for its sweet, fragrant red flesh. Watermelon Brandy. It’s time! This story will follow the watermelons from the field on it's journey to become various Taste: I tried raising cantaloupe one year. What could this trio of gift ideas possibly have in common? Please enter an answer in digits: three × 4 = ... explaining Bradford brandy was a once-coveted Southeast spirit. People used to protect these melons with deadly force, sometimes even poisoning themselves in their zeal to keep thieves away! }. Distilled with a clean, unbelievably smooth fruity finish this Brandy is available in very limited quantities in the Tasting Room. Please note that watermelon brandy is 41% alcohol proof! The 2016 Bradford Watermelon Molasses is now available on the website. I did, and another customer drove across several states for the Bradford watermelon that is being introduced again to chefs, gardeners and food enthusiasts around the world. watermelon juice, preferably strained from a Bradford watermelon. See more ideas about watermelon, bradford, pickled watermelon rind. Now, his family makes Bradford Watermelon brandy, molasses, and (Nat’s wife’s newest addition) watermelon beer. watermelon brandy. “Here, a gift,” says Bradford, handing me a quart Mason jar of watermelon-rind pickles when I visited. Nat Bradford is making watermelon molasses, watermelon brandy and watermelon rind pickles, all of which are possible because of the exceptional fruit characteristics—extremely sweet, thin rinds, delicious flesh and large (up to 30 pound) fruits. (864) 263-8312, sixandtwentydistillery.com. No joke, they were virtually inedible. About Six & Twenty DIRECTIONS: For the brandy smash: Fill a small bar glass 2/3 to the top with ice. 2020 Bradford Watermelon Presales announcement and terms: Due to the high number of requests to reserve Bradford Watermelons this year and the limited supply available, and in order to assure you, our valued customers, are guaranteed your reserved watermelon, we are pre-selling through our website. Bradford Watermelon Company, Sumter, South Carolina. Please reload CAPTCHA. (Or it could be the watermelon brandy that Bradford is now selling!) They also sell the seeds + the pickled rinds (Nat’s grandmother’s recipe). It is considered to be the tastiest watermelon and has exceptional characteristics such as rich sweetness, delicious flesh, thin rinds, and large fruits (up to 40 pounds). Show Details. eight Your email address will not be published. “Flags go up and flags go down,” he said. By the 1860s, the Bradford watermelon was … A sample of these ingredients include the previously extinct Nostrale rice, Jimmy Red grits, or the Bradford Watermelon. No joke, they were virtually inedible. But even with all that mayhem, the Bradford watermelon eventually fell out of fashion. High Wire Distilling Co. in Charleston made a splash crafting 130 bottles of Bradford watermelon brandy that sold out at $79 a pop. The brandy was light and smooth, with a fragrant top note of watermelon. The heirloom Bradford Watermelon, long thought extinct, is being reintroduced to chefs, gardeners, and food enthusiasts around the world! Melon connoisseurs prized the Bradford for its sweet, fragrant flesh and soft rind, so tender that it could be pierced with a butter knife. We have worked with local farmers to “revive” certain ingredients and utilize them in our dishes. (Our recommendation: ask Slow Food Columbia where to get yours.) Show Details. The most luscious watermelon the Deep South has ever produced was once so coveted, 19th-century growers used poison or electrocuting wires to thwart potential thieves, or simply stood guard with guns in the thick of night. ); And so, in 2013, Nat Bradford collected a few mason jars of seeds and began growing more Bradford watermelon than ever before. Rediscovered in 2012, the sweetest watermelon ever grown is being reintroduced to gardeners, chefs and food enthusiasts around the world. The legendary Bradford was delectable — but the melon didn’t ship well, and it all but disappeared by the 1920s. Shields convinced the Bradfords to restore the watermelon to its original glory and share it with the masses by planting more of the watermelon. 3K likes. var notice = document.getElementById("cptch_time_limit_notice_93"); display: none !important; The heirloom Bradford Watermelon, long thought extinct, is being reintroduced to chefs, gardeners and food enthusiasts around the world! Further, Nat plans to donate a portion of the proceeds from the 2015 Bradford Family Watermelon Brandy sales to the creation of a Nat Fuller Scholarship at the Culinary Institute of Charleston which will support minorities as they learn the culinary arts. 3109 SC-153, Piedmont, SC. Tune in THIS Sunday to CBS Sunday Morning at 9am EST on your local CBS station to watch... Read More. Announcing the Bradford Family Watermelon Brandy. function() { Molasses! Bring big flavor to your cocktails with these fruit infused mix-ins WATERMELON BRANDY The Bradford Watermelon Company Sumter, South Carolina For nearly 200 years, the Bradford family has cultivated their namesake watermelon, prized for its tender rind. But even with all that mayhem, the Bradford watermelon eventually fell out of fashion. Time limit is exhausted. Most watermelons fall close to a 10 on the brix rating, which measures sugar, but the Bradford came in … Once thought to be an extinct variety, Bradford Watermelons are back and they are absolutely delicious! 25.04 2017 July 1, 2017. Out of stock Watermelon Molasses (dark) – 1 Jar. John from http://www.okraw.com/ shares with you his top 8 advanced tips for picking a sweet and juicy watermelon every single time. To make it, the staff processes 250–300 Bradford watermelons (one melon yields one bottle of brandy) in a day, pressing out the seeds and paring the sweet red flesh away from the rind. Six & Twenty partners David Raad and Robert Redmond carefully researched the nuances of the brandy-making process and the result is a taste right out of history. Show Details. Specifically, each is being made from Sumter County's legendary Bradford watermelons -- considered the sweetest and juiciest of all watermelons (hence all the exciting punctuation.) By Bradford Watermelon In General, Home, Newsletter Tags Bradford brandy, Watermelon Drinks, watermelons 1 7. These natural sugars are ideal for consumption by the yeast prior to distillation. Molasses, Brandy, and CBS. It’s free! Most watermelons fall close to a 10 on the brix rating, which measures sugar, but the Bradford came in … It can also be purchased directly from the distiller at Six & Twenty Distillery just south of Greenville, SC. Photo by Heather Grilliot Last year, Nat Bradford found a bulbing allium growing in a patch of woods on his farm in Sumter, South Carolina. "If you had a Bradford, you took measures to protect it," Shields says. Because it was so soft, it didn't ship well, and so by 1922, the commercial crops had stopped. Grateful for the generosity, I counter with cash. We make watermelon rind pickle, molasses, and brandy - all 19th century products. 2 ½ gal. The heirloom Bradford Watermelon, long thought extinct, is being reintroduced to chefs, gardeners and food enthusiasts around the world! Sustainable farm specializing in heirloom crops, plants, seeds, and products. BRADFORD FAMILY WATERMELON BRANDY. Sustainable farm specializing in heirloom crops, plants, seeds, and products. Your email address will not be published. Garnish with orange slices and serve. 0 out of 5 $ 21.00. Along with the watermelon came the food culture. bradfordwatermelons.com/2015/11/bradford-family-watermelon-brandy The Watermelon Brandy is made from the famous Bradford watermelon, a rare heirloom variety that is known for its sweetness and ties to the Palmetto State. Think of it as the poster child for the story of our food culture. .hide-if-no-js { Nat Bradford is making watermelon molasses, watermelon brandy and watermelon rind pickles, all of which are possible because of the exceptional fruit characteristics—extremely sweet, thin rinds, delicious flesh and large (up to 30 pound) fruits. More than a century ago, the Bradford Watermelon was the sweetest, juiciest watermelon around; now, thanks to the latest generation of the Bradford family in S.C., they’re back In a shaker, mix the next four ingredients well and pour into the glass. We maintain the breedline of our 170 year old heirloom Bradford Watermelon and others. By the 1860s, the Bradford watermelon was the most important late-season melon in the South. Makes one cocktail. if ( notice ) “David knew we loved to experiment with our spirits. 5 oz. 1 In the midst of planning our brandy project, tragedy struck our state as nine worshippers were murdered at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC. Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review. Every last bottle sold out. The Bradford was prized because of its fragrant, sweet and soft flesh. In addition to its tender rind, the Bradford Watermelon has a naturally high sugar content. Watermelons rest in front of a still at Six and Twenty Distillery, awaiting their turn to become watermelon brandy, a historic South Carolina spirit. It will be available while the supply of juice lasts, so quantities are limited. (Or it could be the watermelon brandy that Bradford is now selling!) About Our Label He loved our commitment to local and heritage seeds, and gave us a call about making brandy with the Bradford because we were weird enough to … No doubt, they would make Louis Redmond proud. We are proud of our finished product and thankful to use it for a purpose larger than The Bradford Watermelon Company.  ×  We maintain the breedline of our 170 year old heirloom Bradford Watermelon and others.  =  For the 2015 Bradford Family Watermelon Brandy, The Bradford Watermelon Company partnered with Six & Twenty Distillery of Piedmont, South Carolina. Time limit is exhausted. Watermelons! Nat Bradford holds a Bradford watermelon, known for its sweet, fragrant red flesh. In any case, I going to try growing a few but a couple of things make this new venture a bit tricky for me. 7th generation Bradford Family Watermelon Farmer. Their Brix is over 12. Saving The Sweetest Watermelon The South Has Ever Known : The Salt The Bradford boasted sweet flesh so coveted, 19th-century growers turned … Watermelon Pickles – 3 Jars. Recently, High Wire Distillery in Charleston made a batch of watermelon brandy. You could pierce the rind with a butter knife and the sugary juice could be boiled to make molasses or even distilled into Brandy. They are able to ship to almost every state, so you can have our historic brandy delivered to your door! DIRECTIONS: For the brandy smash: Fill a small bar glass 2/3 to the top with ice. timeout Out of stock Watermelon Molasses (dark) – 2 Jars. Please reload CAPTCHA. The melon was created by Bradford's forefathers around 1840 and was once one of … We are very excited to announce that Cordial Wine now has our Bradford Watermelon Brandy available for distribution and shipping! I successfully grew beautiful plants were covered with large melons…that tasted like dirt! Garnish with orange slices and serve. notice.style.display = "block"; Clemson Extension Agent and Host of "Making It Grow" Amanda McNulty visits Nat Bradford, a direct descendent of the original grower, in Sumter, SC. I successfully grew beautiful plants were covered with large melons…that tasted like dirt! fresh-squeezed lemon juice 3–5 mint leaves, to taste 1.5 ounces Bradford Family Watermelon Brandy . Most watermelons fall close to a 10 on the brix rating, which measures sugar, but the Bradford came in … Watermelon brandy was distilled all over the lowcountry during the 19th century. It boasts a smooth, crisp flavor with a watermelon finish and can be purchased online and shipped to you from Cordial Fine Wine here. The Bradford Watermelon’s natural sweetness makes it ideal for brandy-making, so Watermelon brandy was distilled all over the lowcountry during the 19th century. In a shaker, mix the next four ingredients well and pour into the glass. The legendary Bradford was delectable — but the melon didn’t ship well, and it all but disappeared by the 1920s. This cultivar’s history begins during the American Revolution, on a British prison ship bound for the West Indies in 1783. The Bradford Watermelon, long thought to be extinct, quietly survived on the Bradford family farm in Sumter, South Carolina. The most luscious watermelon the Deep South has ever produced was once so coveted, 19th-century growers used poison or electrocuting wires to thwart potential thieves, or simply stood guard with guns in the thick of night. The fruit was more than just a savory summer treat — its sweet juice was routinely boiled into molasses or distilled into brandy for cocktails garnished with fruit … In any case, I going to try growing a few but a couple of things make this new venture a bit tricky for me. We need real communion, to eat together — to break bread together.” With that in mind, he placed nine stars on the brandy label to represent the nine who were murdered that June 17. Bradford Watermelon Company, Sumter, South Carolina. May 5, 2015 - [caption id="attachment_44222" align="alignright" width="289"] The heirloom melons can be purchased for $20 a piece. Pickles! The Bradford watermelon quickly acquired a reputation as the South's greatest watermelon. Other heritage produce is sure to follow. We make watermelon rind pickle, molasses, and brandy - all 19th century products. The ‘Bradford Family’ watermelon is an heirloom with a classic narrative of glory, loss, and revival. Fresh Watermelons Sales & Upcoming Products. “David knew we loved to experiment with our spirits. To purchase, visit Cordial Fine Wine’s website here or contact Six & Twenty at 864-263-8312. By the 1860s, the Bradford watermelon was the most important late-season melon in the South. "With this, I … My stash from Bradford Watermelon Company. For the watermelon molasses: Put the juice in a stockpot and cook over a moderate simmer for two to three hours, reducing to about 1/10 the volume of the original liquid to achieve a light, syrup-like consistency. GETAWAYS FOR GROWNUPS: SIX & TWENTY. Bette folds the money and nods thanks. “The Bradford is just about the sweetest melon, almost like a dark caramel, or cotton candy,” said Baker, 50, leaning over one of the oblong, dark green parent melons in Crum’s field. To make the brandy, High Wire owners Scott Blackwell and Ann Marshall partnered with Sumter-based farmer Nat Bradford, who is a direct descendent of the watermelon’s original producer. You might be able to reserve one from the late-summer crop on the Bradford family website , but you’ll have to pick it up in South Carolina (or content yourself with some watermelon brandy or watermelon molasses, whenever that is back in stock). You could pierce the rind with a butter knife and the sugary juice could be boiled to make molasses or even distilled into Brandy. The Bradford was prized because of its fragrant, sweet and soft flesh. Orange slices For the watermelon molasses: (Yields 1 qt.) Add to Cart Show Details. Watermelon Pickles – 2 Jars. You might be able to reserve one from the late-summer crop on the Bradford family website , but you’ll have to pick it up in South Carolina (or content yourself with some watermelon brandy or watermelon … This was the most important and famous melon of the South from the 1860s to the early 1900s. 0 out of 5 $ 19.50. 0 out of 5 $ 39.00. Taste: I tried raising cantaloupe one year. bradford family watermelon brandy Announcing the Bradford Family Watermelon Brandy. Then the pulp is fermented with yeast, becoming watermelon wine before it … Diversifying, Bradford collards will find a spot on the family farm. Because this is a hand made, craft item, orders are on a 2-3 week backorder. The heirloom Bradford Watermelon, long thought extinct, is being reintroduced to chefs, gardeners, and food enthusiasts around the world! Heather Grilliot/Courtesy of Bradford Watermelons. About Our Brandy CBS News. The Bradford Watermelon’s natural sweetness makes it ideal for brandy-making, so The Bradford Watermelon Company partnered with Six & Twenty Distillery to recreate a beverage once lost to history. If you missed the 2015 inaugural batch, the 2016 bottling of Bradford Watermelon Brandy is now available at the Six and Twenty Stillhouse in … By the 1860s, the Bradford watermelon was the most important late-season melon in the South. “What we need to do is change people’s hearts. The Bradford was prized because of its fragrant, sweet and soft flesh. You could pierce the rind with a butter knife and the sugary juice could be boiled to make molasses or even distilled into Brandy. It is distilled and bottled in very limited quantities at Six & Twenty Distillery in upstate South Carolina and can be purchased now for $99.99 at the Six & Twenty Distillery store. The Bradford boasted fragrant red flesh, pearly seeds and a rind so soft you could slice it with a butter knife. setTimeout( Bradford Watermelon. You, too, can try a Bradford watermelon, though it’s nearly always sold out. You, too, can try a Bradford watermelon, though it’s nearly always sold out. Contact Six & Twenty Distillery for information about purchasing at 864-263-8312 (store hours are noon-6:20). }, Bradford Watermelon Company, Sumter, South Carolina. Most watermelons fall close to a 10 on the brix rating, which measures sugar, but the Bradford came in … By Bradford Watermelon In General, Products 1 1 Six & Twenty Distillery and The Bradford Watermelon Company are pleased to announce the 2015 Bradford Family Watermelon Brandy. Their sweetness is one reason this type of watermelon fell into disfavor with growers and disappeared from the marketplace for almost 100 years. You could pierce the rind with a butter knife and the sugary juice could be boiled to make molasses or even distilled into Brandy. Bred by Nathaniel Napoleon Bradford in Sumter, S.C., in the 1840s and 1850s, it’s one of the oldest surviving North American watermelons.