Joined in 2023 
82 
63 About this deal
Originally made by Berry Bros & Rudd for King Edward VII, this has become a bit of a Christmas classic, its pure gingery spiciness working very well in solo-digestif style or as the partner, with a good Scotch blended whisky, in lieu of ginger wine in a souped-up whisky mac.
The new bottle allows the liquid to be the hero; it takes the design from staid tradition to a more refreshing, convivial experience,” says Guy. “During the re-design, we knew we needed to shed new light and energy on a brand which had been around for a long time and give it appeal to a new audience.” St James’s today is a time capsule of the 1900s, and possibly earlier.It was part of the early establishmentandit would all have been very familiar totheKing, who was living in Pall Mall,” says Ronnie Cox, our Brands Heritage Director. King Edward VII literally lived life in the fast lane. He would endlessly drive his horseless carriage (a Daimler), whatever the weather. So much so, that in 1903 the Royal Physician became concerned about the monarch’s health. So, he called on Berry Bros. and Rudd for a solution, a bespoke liqueur that would warm and revivify His Majesty. Crafted from fresh ginger, (for centuries celebrated for its medicinal properties) and enlivened by the judicious addition of citrus oil, The King’s Ginger was born. Rich, golden and delightfully crisp in flavour, it helped King Edward stay colourful and ready for whatever came next.
Recommended for you
We’re delighted that the latest iteration of The King’s Ginger was awarded a gold medal by the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2021.
TheKing and his hedonistic environs co-existed in perfect symbiosis.In stark contrast to his famously austere motherQueen Victoria, Edward VII’swell-documented interest inmotorcarsandlife’s indulgencesled to an image of acharming“bon viveur”which has endured to this day.Long before they were widely available to the general public, theKing was the proud owner of eight Daimlers, which he called “horseless carriages”.The speed limitin the vicinity of St James’sat the time was20 miles per hour(the speed ofa trotting horse)but theKing was known for his passion for speed– an unexpected factor that would nudge him towards Henry Berry’s ginger cordials. The birth of The King’s Ginger But, even as it fell out of use amongst the general public, the saddle flask continues to be used in the context of country sports. The result is clean and elegant, tactile and seductive. Its translucent golden bottle recalls honey or nectar, suggesting richness, vitality and purity. Edward VII would have been familiar with Berry Bros. (as we were then known), as his parents and grandparents had been – making it a natural destination for the Royal Physician in his search for a restorative for the King. He came to visit the shop, setting the wheels in motion for the birth of The King’s Ginger.It remains popular even today when people go out hunting – an activity which takes place in winter, when it’s very cold,” says Ronnie, “It was typical to have a ‘stirrup cup’ before going out on a hunt, a tot of something to calm you down before getting on a horse, and it was just as typical to carry a flask throughout the day.” The brand story behind this liqueur revolves around King Edward VII who reigned from 1901 to 1910 and is said to have been a thoroughly sociable chap who amongst other activities enjoyed driving his horseless carriage, a Daimler. The brand legend has it that his physician was concerned about Edward's health, exposed as he was to the elements in his new automobile. Thus he commissioned Berry Bros. & Rudd, the King's wine and spirits merchants to formulate a liqueur to warm His Majesty. In 1903 King Edward VII granted Berry Bros. their first Royal Warrant. In contrast to the previous bottle, the new bottle is also fully recyclable. Sustainability is a key consideration behind the new design, broadening its appeal to a new audience of socially and environmentally conscious consumers. The King's Ginger was created in 1903 when King Edward VII's doctor commissioned Berry Bros. & Rudd to create a "fortifying beverage" to be served in King Edward's flask. [1] King Edward's doctor was concerned about the King's constitution: the King was obese, suffered from various ailments, elderly and tended to travel the countryside in his convertible and go hunting regardless of the weather conditions. [1] [2] The doctor hoped this beverage would help "stimulate and revivify His Majesty during morning rides." [1] Originally formulated by Berry Bros. & Rudd for King Edward VII, The King’s Ginger is a beautifully warming, revivifying elixir with a spicy-yet-honeyed flavour, perfect for the wintery outdoors.
Another fancy way of cheating at mulled wine. This is a delicious sweet liqueur made with citrus fruits and ginger. Add a little of King’s Ginger with some citrus fruit and sugar to hot wine, or even better, cider, for a delicious warming drink. Founded in 1698, Berry Bros. & Rudd have been the official wine supplier to the Royal Family since the time of George III and count Lord Byron and William Pitt the Younger amongst their former customers. They were responsible for the launch, in 1923, of the Cutty Sark blend and continue to bottle some of the finest examples of single cask whiskyaround today. Itremainspopular even todaywhen peoplegoout hunting – an activity which takes place in winter, when it’s very cold. It was typical to have a‘stirrup cup’before going out on a hunt,a tot of something to calm you down before getting on a horse,and it was just as typical to carry a flask throughout the day.” The King’s Ginger – our favourite ginger and lemon liqueur – is steeped in 117 years of history, since its inception in 1903. The story behind it is just as colourful as the king it was named for. I speak to Ronnie Cox, our Brands Heritage Director, to uncover the details of its rich heritage. The King and his neighbourhood The hunting flask would have been held in aleather holster and carried on the side of a horse when you were out hunting or going from one place to another – in the days before the commercial advent of the motorcar,” explains Ronnie.From shooting, the liqueur’s popularity promptly extended to fishing and hunting parties. The latest iteration ofThe King’s Ginger bottle designreferences these roots,evoking Edward VII’s original saddle flask, also known as a hunting flask. We collaborated with design agency Stranger & Stranger to revitalise The King’s Ginger for a new age. The new bottle comes in the shape of a saddle flask, the sort that Edward VII would certainly have carried, in recognition of its heritage.
As I sit typing this I think the outcome will be that I have lost my favourite spirit of all time but that a close second has emerged. The bottle has been opened, I poured a good measure into a glass, took a small sip and it is a very different drink. Very nice but very different.In 1903, St James’s Street was thethrivingepicentre of London’s clubland; a districtassociated withthe leisurely pursuits of high society, from gunsmiths and hunting shops to hatters and cigarstores – and, of course, wine merchants.
Related:
Great Deal 
New Comment