King Charles, who has been actively changing things around in his royal estates, unveiled a brand-new change at his beloved Sandringham Castle. Just days after sharing an unexpected ‘olive branch’ to his estranged son, Prince Harry, the monarch launched a new item to the pop-ups at his Norfolk estate for the public. The King has now introduced a new line of booze for tourists who will be visiting the Scottish estate.
King Charles is selling his own brand of gin to tourists visiting the Sandringham Estate. The monarch, a reported fan of the spirit, is offering guests at the Norfolk property drinks created with produce grown on the estate. Guests are being offered cocktails with raspberry and apple flavoured gin or 'Celebration Gin' for just £6.50. The Celebration Gin is made with persimmons, along with myrtle grown from a cutting from the wedding bouquet at King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra’s marriage in 1863. The apple and raspberry gin, meanwhile, is made by steeping the fruit in distilled spirit. Guests can also buy raspberry and gin preserve for £6.99, as well as gin-flavoured chocolates for £14.99.
The King's new venture is seeing him sell his own-brand alcohol to tourists for as little as £6.50, following the launch of a pop-up gin bar at King Charles in Norfolk. According to royal commentator Gordon Rayner, the King enjoys a cocktail before dinner most nights - with his favourite drink reportedly being a mix of half gin and half dry vermouth, garnished with an olive or lemon twist. Earlier this year, King Charles, who is still undergoing treatment for cancer, introduced a new range of burgers at the 20,000-acre estate's upscale restaurant, whereas another pop-up stall sold homemade ice-cream made from local ingredients. However, it seems his passion for gin has escalated, leading to the opening of a gin bar.
The King demonstrated his love for gin last year when he was filmed sipping sampling a glass during a visit to Malton in Yorkshire. The bar, set to be located at the Sandringham Estate, offers very reasonable prices as a gin and tonic will set you back just £6.50. Other products available in the estate shop include a £6.99 Raspberry and Gin Preserve and £14.99 gin-flavoured chocolates, according to The Sun. Guests at the Royal estate can enjoy a tipple of the “full-bodied” raspberry and apple gin, crafted from fruits steeped in distilled spirit. Alternatively, they might choose the “Celebration Gin” infused with Sharon fruit, boasting “zesty citrus and delicate floral notes” that use ingredients from Sandringham's very own walled garden. Each exquisite beverage is presented in a glass etched with the prestigious the late Queen name and celebrates the bounty of the Norfolk estate's produce.
A Royal Taste: King Charles's Love for Gin
King Charles III is a self-proclaimed fan of gin, with his favourite drink being a martini composed with half gin and half vermouth. It makes sense then, that he’s offering gin cocktails to tourists visiting Sandringham Estate, the King and Queen’s country retreat in Norfolk. A pop-up bar at the venue is offering drinks featuring Sandringham’s own brand of gin, which is made using produce grown on the estate, with a choice of Celebration Gin, or an apple and raspberry flavour. The first is made using ingredients from Sandringham’s walled garden, including persimmons and myrtle grown – the latter of which is grown from a cutting from the bouquet at King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra’s wedding in 1863. It’s said to have ‘zesty citrus and delicate floral notes’. The apple and raspberry gin, meanwhile, is made by steeping the fruit in distilled spirit. Alongside the cocktails, you can buy the gin itself, as well as a gin preserve and gin-flavoured chocolates.
King Charles’ friend spoke about his love for gin in Channel 4 documentary The Real Windsors: The Outspoken Heir, King Charles III. ‘He likes a martini before dinner, that’s for sure,’ he said. It’s thought the monarch is quite particular about the type of gin too, and often takes his own spirits on royal tours. Enjoying gin seems to run in the family: Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite cocktail was believed to be a gin and Dubonnet, which she liked with a lemon wedge and two ice cubes.
Sandringham: A Royal Destination for Food and Drink
This isn’t the first time Sandringham has opened a foodie pop-up: earlier this year visitors to the estate could buy burgers and homemade ice-cream. The estate is also home to the Sandringham Restaurant, which serves dishes made using produce for the estate, alongside afternoon tea. If you’re planning a visit, there’s plenty to do and see aside from the food and drink, with a 600-acre parkland to explore alongside access to some of the estate’s rooms.
A Royal Toast: From Gin to Wine
Something which is clear is that the royals are just like us when it comes to having a drink to celebrate and toast to important occasions or when it comes to winding down in the evening after a stressful day. Whether it be a refreshing gin and tonic, an exuberant cocktail or a simple beer, the royals are well-known for enjoying an alcoholic beverage from time to time. While King Charles was said to enjoy many different types of drinks, from a martini to a gin and Dubonnet, Queen Camilla's and Queen Camilla's tastes are slightly different. The King is said to be fond of a crisp gin and tonic when he travels abroad or a Scotch whisky. Queen Camilla, on the other hand, is a keen wine enthusiast. She previously revealed, “My father was in the wine business, so I was brought up as a child drinking wine and water rather like the French!”
A Royal Touch of Indulgence
From homemade burgers to royal gin, King Charles is certainly adding a touch of his own personal flair to Sandringham Estate, offering visitors a unique blend of tradition and modernity. Whether it's a sip of his favourite gin or a stroll through the sprawling parkland, Sandringham offers a glimpse into the life of the royal family, with a touch of modern-day charm. It's clear that King Charles is not only embracing his passion for gin but also making his royal estates a destination for all to enjoy, from royal enthusiasts to those seeking a unique and unforgettable experience.
