Isabel II sells her own gin for 44 euros
The drink, the favorite of the British royal family, is made with botanical extracts collected in the gardens of Buckingham Palace
Those who want to feel that they drink like kings will be able to do so from August 31. Since then, Buckingham Palace, the official residence of Elizabeth II, will sell its own gin, as announced on the Royal Collection website, where official Windsor items are on sale.
“Introducing the launch of our gin from Buckingham Palace. This spirit drink has a unique royal origin, since many of its citrus and herbal notes come from botanical elements gathered in the gardens of Buckingham Palace ”, he specifies. "Lemon, verbena, hawthorn berries and mulberry leaves are among the 12 botanical extracts hand-selected for gin in the palace gardens." As they explain, these fields cover no less than 16 hectares "and provide a habitat for 30 species of birds and more than 250 species of wild flowers."
The gin has an official price of 40 pounds, just over 44 euros, for the 70 centiliter container. It is presented in a transparent glass bottle with a blue back, while on the front it is surrounded by a golden circle covered with flowers and with a crown that identifies it with the royal seal. It's only available for UK shipping at the moment, and will be available in actual product stores soon too; in the case of London, it is located in Buckingham Palace itself and which is accessed from one side of it.
"To become the perfect thirst quencher in summer, the recommended method of serving it is to pour a measure of the gin into a short glass filled with ice before filling with tonic and garnish with a lemon wedge," recommends the page of real products on the drink of which, it specifies, will be manufactured in "small batches".
This royal gin is not the only alcoholic beverage sold with the royal seal. For 30 pounds (33 euros) you can find a bottle of Portuguese Port, a bottle of 2011 brut champagne for 45 (50 euros) and for 60 (66 euros) a tokaji wine. In fact, there was already a gin in his shop, but it was not produced directly by the palace, but simply "in Britain", called William Crisp and at a cost of 9.95 pounds (11 euros). The closest thing to this exclusive new drink is a single malt whiskey from the Scottish Palace of Holyroodhouse, the home of the Queen when she visits this territory of Great Britain, specially manufactured for sale in the Royal Store, manufactured and bottled in Scotland.
Gin is one of the Windsors' favorite alcoholic beverages. It is said that Elizabeth II herself enjoys it daily, also accompanied by ice, lemon and a touch of spiced wine similar to vermouth called Dubonnet, as one of the chefs who worked with her once explained to CNN. In addition, at meals the sovereign has a glass of wine and, at dinner, champagne.
The queen mother was also a big fan of gin. As Margaret Rhodes, niece and companion of Elizabeth II's mother, recounted in a book a couple of years ago, the queen's mother's habits were very similar to those of her daughter today. Isabel Bowes-Lyon drank gin and Dubonnet before lunch; wine during meals; a Martini before dinner and finally a glass of champagne. A habit that, according to the lady in waiting, "never changed." In another 2009 book, the first official biography after her death at 101, in 2002. In 1925, when she was pregnant and unable to consume alcohol, she wrote to her husband: “The mere sight of wine lifts my spirits. Isn't it extraordinary? It would be a tragedy if I could never drink again. "
In addition, Shawcross also recounted another anecdote, already from 1965, during a trip to Jamaica. The already then queen mother complained to her daughter Margarita through a letter that she was served fruit juices and, apparently, had to beg for "a pinch of gin".
