Fans of Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (RBGV) – including Melbourne and Cranbourne – can now taste as well as see the beauty of the gardens.
A collaboration with award-winning Anther Distillery has created a new boutique gin called Florescence containing plants from the gardens.
RBGV director Tim Entwisle said he enjoyed sharing knowledge and familiarity with the plant kingdom with Anther Distillery.
“This is a real, one of a kind beverage with the delicate notes and scents reminiscent of the gardens,” he said.
Anther Distillery was founded in 2016 by husband-and-wife duo Dervilla McGowan and Sebastian Reaburn.
It won the 2018 Australian Champion Gin and Champion Australian Micro Batch Spirit in 2019 at the Australian Distilled Spirits Awards.
Ms McGowan said gin has plenty of potential for experimentation with plant ingredients.
“Working with Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria meant we had a whole library of potential ingredients at our fingertips and access to scientists and botanists with an educated hunch about what might work,” she said.
“We enjoyed walking around with gardens experts to explore and discuss ingredients.”
All Florescence ingredients are currently growing at both Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne and Cranbourne, which are home to thousands of plant species.
There are 1,700 native Australian plant varieties in the Cranbourne garden including traditional ingredients such as juniper, coriander seeds, orange and lemon peel.
The gin also includes unique selections of native Australian plants such as Tasmannia xerophilia (Alpine pepper), Kunzea parvifola (Violet Kunzea) and Baeckea gunniana (Alpine Baeckea).
Mr Entwisle said he personally taste-tested and approved the gin.
“It has a fantastic aroma and a unique and charismatic flavour,” he said.
Proceeds from Florescence gin sales support Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria’s landscapes, scientific and horticultural research and public programs.
The gin can be purchased on Anther Distillery’s website at anther.com.au/shop/
