MAKE YOUR OWN GIN GARDEN

Become a gin genius by growing your own key ingredients. Becky Searle shows you how

- Becky Searle

As gardeners and allotmenteer, we can often be held in a certain stereotype: we usually wear wellies, always have mud under our nails, and love eating vegetables. A mug of halfdrunk tea often stands precariously on the edge of a bed, forgotten about when we spied a rogue weed or noticed a vine that needs tying in. Tea is the backbone of our days in the garden, and it undeniably tastes better when consumed in a greenhouse, shed or while perched looking out on your land.

But just because we exude an air of smug healthiness, it doesn't mean we can't enjoy other drinks occasionally. This might even be medicinal after finding all our seedlings eaten by one over-plump slug or feverishly covering everything before a late spring frost.

Many of us are already confident at growing herbs and have perhaps been experimenting with making our own on-site herbal teas. Usually, a few leaves are hastily pushed into a mug and left to steep for a few minutes. You might use a tea strainer if you're a bit more advanced.

The same method basically applies to making your own gin infusions. You can do the same with vodka and rum, but I've chosen gin because it's my favourite, and I know I'm not alone in this!

POPULARITY

In recent years, there has been an upsurge in the popularity of gin, which has led to garden centres often stocking expensive floral, aromatic gins in fancy bottles. Gin is frequently given as a gift, and I have been the grateful recipient of some beautiful gins in my time. It is a real treat to explore the different flavours and combinations. But if you learn to make your own, you can combine it with your love of gardening. And, if you're the sharing sort, you could find yourself suddenly very popular.