Saving The Planet, One Cocktail At A Time

Cornwall is not short of gin-makers but one couple in Newquay have developed the art of distilling to safeguard our coastline

When Mike and Sue Bearcroft decided to create a new Cornish organic gin, they were determined that it would stand out. Not just in terms of taste but by helping to save the planet too.

The Bearcrofts are a couple who do nothing by halves and appear unphased by challenge. Having come up with their idea for producing a new gin that would genuinely make a difference last Christmas, they didn’t just sit around talking about it for months. Instead they sprang into action – first of all finding a local distillery capable of manufacturing the outstanding product they wanted, secondly forming a social enterprise company that would meet the highest ethical standards and finally approaching Fauna & Flora, the world’s first international conservation charity, and agreeing a partnership.

The result of their endeavours is Land of Saints Organic Gin – a natural blend of 13 botanicals: organic pure grain spirit and Cornish spring water distilled with juniper berries, coriander seeds, cardamom pods, pink peppercorns, ginger root, dried rose buds, hyssop, orange peel, camomile, violet leaves, blueberries, nutmeg and orris root. Professional tasters Lisa Plummer and Kate Arnold from The Juniper Club describe it as “a smooth and citrusy gin with a good level of juniper. We were also able to pick out the notes of rosebuds and orange”.