What?
Botanicals are the natural flavouring ingredients that can be added at various points of the gin distilling process. These give each gin its own distinct flavour depending on the quantities and variations used. Many of the botanicals used in gin have natural medicinal properties.
Tip: Don’t confuse botanicals with garnishes – Botanicals are added to the gin as it’s being made and garnishes are added to your drink.
A substance obtained from a plant and used typically in medicinal or cosmetic products.
When?
Botanicals can be added at several points of the distilling process providing differing results in flavour. It can be argued that more botanicals included the more complexity of flavour.
The London Dry method is considered the highest level of gin-making. Rather than referring to where the gin is from it means that the botanicals and juniper were added at the point of distillation rather than after. London Dry Gin cannot have any added flavourings or colourings.
Distilled gins are where the botanicals are added after the distilling process. Distilled gins can contain flavourings and colourings.
Slingsby’s signature botanicals
In the creation of Slingsby, 24 botanicals were carefully selected to represent the restorative nature of Harrogate. Seventeen of these are locally sourced from Rudding Park kitchen gardens and Taylors of Harrogate providing Green and Jasmine tea. The selection from Rudding park includes Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Sweet Cicely, Rhubarb, Oregano and Primrose. If you pay a visit to Rudding Park, Adrian the resident gardener will point you in the direction of our botanicals.
Benefits
The botanicals we use in our gin were chosen as they are synonymous with the beautiful and restorative nature of Harrogate and some have been used historically for their health benefits.
Rosehip – Contains lots of vitamin C aiding with the prevention and treatment of colds and flu.
Milk Thistle – Used as a natural treatment for liver problems.
Heather – Used to help aid nervous complaints and cardiac palpitations.
Hyssop: Used as an antiseptic, cough reliever and expectorant.
Coriander seeds – Have been used to lower blood pressure, ease digestion and work as an anti-oxidant.
Lovage – Used to help with stomach and feverish attacks in the 14th century, also as a soothing anti-inflammatory.
Angelica root – Used to aid stomach pains, colds, congestion and fever.
Nettle – Used to boost immunity and for relieving arthritis symptoms.