Helen’s agroforestry project is also coming along nicely, with the fruit ripened, and lots picked already. They have many different types of fruit growing in the orchards; from cherries, to apricots, it is all delicious and all organic, of course!
Agroforestry is all about mixing up trees with farming; in recent decades they have become increasingly separate. Integrating trees into Helen Browning's Organic farming systems will, they hope, bring a whole range of benefits both to the farm and to the wider environment.
This project has inspired a new product which launched in May, an Organic London Dry Gin! Using key botanicals grown on the farm this gin has a modern twist – the distinct flavour profile of sea buckthorn, an emerging superfood, is mellowed out by perry pear. Orange and lemon peel, elderflower and rosemary create herbaceous and floral notes, reminiscent of wild berries and fresh honey.
Helen Browning's Organic use a local organic distillery, who share the same ethos as ourselves. They strive to ensure sustainability is at the forefront of production by recycling the waste water and using it to heat the distillery buildings and greenhouses used to grow some botanicals.
The bottle itself is made from recycled glass with a recyclable mineral paper label and seal finished with a soft wooden cork. Pouch refills are available to refill your gin bottle, helping to reduce carbon footprints and reuse the bottle. When finished, customers can post the refill pouch to us and then we’ll recycle them. Responsible drinking is here!
The Perfect Serve - Recipe
Ingredients:
- Helen Browning’s organic gin Organic Gin from British Agroforestry - Helen Browning’s Shop
- Tonic water
- Ice
- Sprig of rosemary
- Slice of fresh orange or pear
Instructions:
50ml of Helen Browning’s organic gin with pear & sea buckthorn, in a generous glass with plenty of ice, topped up with classic tonic.
We recommend adding a sprig of rosemary to enhance the glorious herbaceous flavour. Add a slice of fresh orange to highlight the citrusy notes, or a slice of fresh pear to showcase the sweetness.
Elderflower Spritz - Recipe
Ingredients:
- 50ml Helen Browning’s organic gin Organic Gin from British Agroforestry - Helen Browning’s Shop
- 25ml elderflower liqueur
- 90ml prosecco
- 35ml soda water
- Fresh lime slices
Instructions:
Fill a glass of your choosing with ice, then pour over the elderflower liqueur. Add the gin and prosecco, top up with soda water and garnish with lime slices.