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Shakespeare Distillery unveils mulberry gin liqueur
Stratford-upon-Avon’s Shakespeare Distillery is set to launch a special edition bottling of its gin liqueur made using fruit from two mulberry trees planted in the namesake poet’s garden.
New Place Mulberry Gin Liqueur combines mulberries with Shakespeare Distillery’s flagship Stratford Gin
Created in collaboration with independent charity Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, the distillery will make a special batch of its New Place Mulberry Gin Liqueur using mulberries which have ripened “earlier than expected” due to warm temperatures.
It is made by combining mulberries with the distillery’s flagship Stratford Gin and leaving them to steep for several months before decanting and bottling.
The result is a “deep rich fruity” gin liqueur ideal for sipping or using in cocktails.
The oldest mulberry tree in the Great Garden is reputed to have been grown from a cutting taken from a mulberry tree originally planted in the garden by William Shakespeare when he lived at New Place. This tree was cut down by the Reverend Francis Gastrell over 250 years ago, fed up with visitors who wanted to see it. The second tree was planted in 1969 by Shakespearian actress, Dame Peggy Ashcroft.
“We originally created and launched our mulberry gin in April 2016 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, purposely choosing mulberries due to their connection with the bard,” said Simon Picken, director and master distiller.
“It was therefore incredibly exciting to be invited to harvest the fruits from these very special trees and we hope they will make a great special edition of our mulberry gin.”
Established in 2015, Shakespeare Distillery produces Stratford Gin on the Alscot estate in Stratford-upon-Avon. Made in small handcrafted batches taking inspiration from the Tudor period, it uses 10 botanicals that would have been common in Shakespeare’s time.
Special edition bottles of Shakespeare Distillery’s New Place Mulberry Gin Liqueur will be available to purchase at the Shakespeare’s New Place gift shop on Chapel Street later this year.
The Shakespeare Distillery isn’t the only one to celebrate the famous bard with booze – the Cotswolds Distillery launched a barrel-aged gin to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare in April last year.