Buckingham Palace launches London Dry gin

The Queen’s London residence, Buckingham Palace, has launched a gin made with botanicals found in the palace grounds, including hawthorn berries and mulberry leaves.

Buckingham Palace Gin is made with 12 botanicals, several of which are found growing in Buckingham Palace’s gardens, including lemon verbena, hawthorn berries, bay leaves and mulberry leaves.

The palace gardens provide a habitat for 30 species of birds, over 250 species of wildflowers and 40 different trees.

The planting of mulberry trees was popularised in England during the reign of James I, and this royal association continues today, with mulberry trees found in the palace grounds.

The London Dry gin was created by the Royal Collection Trust, a department of the Royal Household.

The small batch premium gin has gone on sale at Royal Collection Trust shops, priced at £40 for a 70cl bottle.

The 42% ABV gin will also be served at official royal events at the palace. It is best enjoyed in a traditional G&T with ice, tonic water and a slice of lemon.

All profits from sales of the gin will go to The Royal Collection Trust, a registered charity, and will help fund the care and conservation of the Royal Collection.

The Royal Collection is among the largest and most important art collections in the world, and is one of the last great European royal collections to remain intact.

Highclere Castle in Hampshire, the setting for popular historical drama Downton Abbey, also has makes it own gin from botanicals found in the castle grounds, including lavender, lime flower and oats. Its square bottle shape is modelled on the castle’s main tower.