“Gin & Tonic has saved more Englishmen’s lives, and minds, than all the doctors in the Empire,” Winston Churchill once said. Given the national importance of the drink, it’s no surprise that gin plays a big role in London hotels. But St Ermin’s in London’s St James’ Park goes a step further than simply seeing it as an essential part of the bar (and minibar), the four-star deluxe establishment now boasting its own small batch gin, made using home-grown botanicals handpicked from the hotel’s kitchen roof garden and a touch of honey from its resident Buckfast bees.

The London Dry infused gin (40 per cent by volume) with mint, lemon verbena, lavender, blue basil and geraniums is made by the Hawkridge Distillers using traditional techniques. Tasting offers heady citrus flavours followed by a juniper heart through to late, refreshing fruit notes, smoothed with a hint of honey harvested from the hotel’s hives.

The gin will be available in the hotel’s Caxton Bar, by way of a traditional G&T paired with Franklin & Son’s Tonic, or as part of a Vesper Martini. It is also offered for sale in 70cl bottles.

The hotel has a heart not only for gin lovers but also for dogs and other animals: it is dog-friendly and home to over 300,000 Buckfast Bees and remains London’s only ‘Bee & Bee’ hotel.