Secret Garden Gin

Secret Garden Gin takes its inspiration from a medieval physician's herb garden. Myriad View Artisan Distillery, in Rollo Bay on Prince Edward Island, distils its own vodka with a long list of herbs, plants with a history of use in many cultures.

Floral · Herbal · Earthy

Rose petals, sweet violets, lavender and chamomile bring the floral side. Rosebay willowherb, borage, hyssop, lemon verbena and lemon balm add an herbal dimension, the last two with a lemony brightness, fennel and sweet cicely a touch of sweetness, while orris and angelica keep the blend in balance. Spruce tips, dandelion and burdock roots and tansy reinforce the classic bitter edge of juniper. The gin is bold, floral and herbaceous, with an earthy undertone beneath the flowers.

The herbs are native, naturalised or sustainable as annuals on Prince Edward Island, and some come from the distillery's own garden. The gin is bottled at 46% ABV in a 750 ml bottle.

For a Garden highballHighballA long drink served in a tall, straight glass with plenty of ice: a spirit topped with soda or tonic. The word also names the glass.Glossary, fill a tall glass with ice, pour 4.5 cl gin and 13 cl Folkington's English Garden Tonic Water, stir briefly and add a cucumber slice. The tonic carries the garden theme into the glass, and cucumber brings a cool, green note that suits the herbs without hiding the flowers.