Words by Aidy (@sypped)
Add a little royalty to your spirits cabinet this Summer, with good ol’ Elizabeth’s very own gin. Well, kind of.
Turns out that during the reign of James I, Mulberry trees became quite a popular thing to plant. This tradition has even held up today, where they are still seen throughout the country – not to mention throughout the grounds of the palace.
Mulberry leaves, along with 11 other botanicals including lemon verbena, hawthorn berries and bay leaves are used to produce this one of a kind gin, with each and every element taken from the ground of Buckingham Palace itself.
With the palace gardens home to over 30 species of birds, 250 species of wildflowers and 40 different trees there’s a lot to play with so who knows what surprises wait in store for future batches?!
This London dry gin has been produced as a small batch premium spirit and is currently sold through the Royal Collection Trust shops for £40 a bottle. If you’re lucky enough to be invited as a guest to the palace (I’m there most weekends these days), the gin will soon be served at official events. I’ve been told the queen likes to drink hers as a traditional G&T with a slice of lemon and although she didn’t share her favourite tonic water with me, I recommend London Essence or Franklin & Sons.
All profits go straight back to The Royal Collection Trust, maintaining the incredibly historic and invaluable Royal Collection. Few know this, but it’s actually one of the most important art collections in the world and one of the last great European royal collections to remain intact.
See, you get to drink well and help preserve the queen’s paintings. Win/Win, squire.
Producer: The Queen (kind of)
Size: 70cl
ABV: 42%
Price: £40
Buy it from Royal Collection Trust Stores
If you enjoyed this then make sure to check out Two Wine Stories you Never Knew about the Royal Family