DISCOVERY

Chocolate Malt Johnnie Walker Black, Pineapple Kamm & Sons, Cardamom, Local Bee Pollen

The explorer Christopher Columbus first discovered pineapples on the island of Guadeloupe. It then made its way to the Caribbean, America and Mexico. Pineapple cultivation then spread to Europe, but because of the high cost of building and maintaining hothouses (as pineapples need a temperate climate to grow), they became a symbol of wealth. Instead of being eaten, the fruit was displayed at dinner parties, and used repeatedly until they were rotten. By the late 1700s, production of pineapples on British estates caused rivalries between certain aristocratic families.

INTO THE WILDERNESS

Lemon Verbena Gin, Waste Falernum, Peach, Lemon, Recycled Pineapple

Cloves were first discovered during the 16th century in Indonesia, where it was tradition for parents to plant a clove tree when their child was born. It was believed that if the tree flourished, so too would the child live a long and happy life. The oldest clove tree, which is said to be 350-400 years old, resides in the Indonesian city of Ternate. Rumour has it that a roving Frenchman stole seedlings from that very tree in 1770 and brought them to Zanzibar, which soon became the world’s largest clove producer.

KAMINO

Akayane Natsu Gin, Sansho Pepper, Lemon, White Miso, Hojicha Liqueur

The origins of green tea (hojicha) can be traced back to the Tang dynasty, when China was at its peak of cultural influence over Japan. In 1191, Esai – a Japanese Buddhist Monk who had been studying in China – brought tea seeds back to Japan with him, and with his knowledge of the ancient methods for preparing matcha, he popularised the tradition of serving tea to the samurai class.

NO POCKETS, NO CUFFS

Distilled Sunflower, Italicus, Beetroot, Lemon, White Pepper Tincture, Pea Soda

Though pepper was very costly to ship across the Silk Road, it was such a desirable and luxurious commodity in medieval Europe that Italian traders could essentially set their own prices. Sailors and labourers stationed at Venetian and Genoan trade ports – which held a monopoly over the pepper trade past the Mediterranean – were required to cut off or sew their clothing pockets shut to ensure no one could steal highly valuable white peppercorns.

UPROOTED

Pandan Vodka, Tea-Smoked Ginger, Lime, Passionfruit Honey, Kaffir Lime Tincture

The ginger plant was originally found in Southeast Asia, until it was domesticated and carried into China & India by traders. It has been used in Chinese and Indian medicine for centuries to prevent and treat a wide range of ailments.

WANDERER

Wild Licorice Botanist Gin, Cacao Nib Honey, Almond, Lime, Fig Leaf

The existence of almonds goes as far back as biblical times, when it was considered a prized ingredient often used in breads for ancient monarchs. Though its exact ancestry is unknown, almonds were thought to have originated in China and Central Asia. While traversing the Silk Road between Asia and the Mediterranean, explorers would snack on the nutritious nut to stay energised. Before long, almond trees flourished in the Mediterranean.