Grab the tonic, the Queen is launching her own small-batch gin brand

The Queen of England — and her entire royal family — is rumoured to enjoy a tipple now and then (or nightly, if the showrunners on The Crown are to be believed) so it comes as little surprise that Her Majesty is launching a locally distilled gin label, featuring ingredients harvested at one of her (many) homes. Sandringham, the traditional Christmas holiday gathering place for the Queen and those on her ‘nice’ list, is the birthplace of the new small-batch gin, aptly named Sandringham Gin (when you’ve already established the brand, why not capitalize on it?), which sells for around $87 CAD… only it isn’t available here. Monarchists and gin imbibers on this side of the Atlantic will have to beg friends or relatives in the UK to post them a bottle, since Sandringham Gin will only be sold in Britain.Made in Norfolk, the gin will incorporate herbs and other ingredients grown on the Queen’s estate, including “Sharon fruit, a woody tree related to ebony, also known as the Chinese Persimmon and foliage from myrtle plants” in addition to the requisite juniper berries.Sharon fruit, explains the site dedicated to the Queen’s most recent business venture, “is grown in the Walled Garden on a sheltered wall at the end of what was a range of glass houses, built on the winnings of the famous racehorse, Persimmon, owned by King Edward VII. The foliage from myrtle plants also grown on the Estate,” continues the description, “originated from a cutting taken from Princess Alexandra’s wedding bouquet on her marriage to Prince Albert Edward, who later became King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.” This is no ordinary gin, this is a gin with a pedigree. A gin, perhaps, that the Queen herself might drink.

 

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As People reports, the Queen is said to be a fan of a particular gin cocktail made with Dubonnet, lemon and a generous portion of ice. And it isn’t as though this is the 93-year-old’s first foray into distilling either. Buckingham Place has its own brand which debuted just last summer and Prince Charles peddles an organic gin made in Cornwall at his Highgrove Estate (it is not, Crown watchers, named ‘Gladys’). For those who prefer the dark side, the Queen’s home in Balmoral produces and sells a very well-priced single malt whisky in the gift shop. Cheers![video_embed id='2081389']Before you go: Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip celebrate 73rd anniversary[/video_embed]