Above: Did you know that you can find the main ingredient for making homemade gin growing in open spaces preserved in Southborough? (image cropped from photo contributed by SOLF)
[This post is part of a special guest series focused on appreciating nature in Southborough, contributed by the Southborough Open Land Foundation (SOLF), a non-profit dedicated to preserving and stewarding natural resources here in town.]
First one needs the quintessential flavor by which gin is known; the “Juniper Berry.” This is required to be considered gin. After that, lots of other flavors referred to as “Botanicals,” are added.
Juniper berries are not actually berries. They are “cones,” like pine cones, spruce cones, hemlock cones etc but are referred to as berries.
So, you might ask “where does one find these juniper berries? From an Eastern Red Cedar tree!
Cedars are a type of Juniper (juniperus virginiana.) Classic British Beefeater gin uses “Juniper Communis” or “Common Juniper” which they import from the Mediterranean.
Are there Juniper Berries anywhere near Southborough? Yes! One need not travel farther than SOLF’s “Beals Preserve”-just beyond the kiosk where there is a large Eastern Red Cedar.
Ripening of the berries can take around 2 years after which they are added to pure spirits of alcohol or vodka. Then you add your favorite “botanicals” like coriander, angelica root, lemon peel, nutmeg, lavender and even cucumber. There are many options! Let it sit for about 48 hours, strain it and invite your friends!
Want to learn more about SOLF, or volunteer or donate? Check out our site, we’d love to hear from you.
Debbie Costine (a SOLF Trustee, artist and curious naturalist)
SOLF – Southborough Open Land Foundation
