London to Lima brings Peruvian spirit to new gin liqueur

The London to Lima Gin Distillery has harnessed natural South American ingredients to create its second expression – a mulberry and coca gin liqueur.

The spirit is macerated with mulberries hand-picked close to the Peruvian distillery, then Amazonian coca leaves – from the supplier to the world’s largest cola brand – are added along with wild honey.

Alongside traditional botanicals including orris root, Angelica root, cassia and of course juniper, the gin liqueur includes more exotic Peruvian botanicals such as aguaymanto (also known as physalis), lime and pink peppercorns grown around the distillery.

London to Lima’s spirit is made with Peruvian Quebranta grapes, which have been used for centuries to make the country’s national spirit, Pisco. It is distilled three times, blended with water from glaciers in the Andes and bottled at 42.8% ABV.

While the original gin features a spectacled bear on its label, the mulberry and coca liqueur bottle is illustrated with a spectacled caiman. A member of the alligator family and native to South America, it is named for a bony ridge between its eyes which resemble a pair of spectacles. All the distillery’s bottles are made from recycled glass and based on the shape of a hip flask.

The London to Lima Distillery says its mulberry and coca liqueur is bursting with berry flavours, with bright citrus, flashes of pink pepper spice and velvety chocolate notes to finish.

The liqueur, bottled at 36.8%, is available in 500ml, 200ml and 50ml bottles priced at £39, £18 and £7 respectively.