Apothekergin: The first gin, available without a prescription from the pharmacy!
Richard König is co-founder and managing director of Saint Charles Organics GmbH. Together with pharmacist Alexander Ehrmann, he loves nothing more than tinkering away at new products for Saint Charles. There's usually a concrete plan behind it all – but sometimes pure passion takes the wheel. That was very much the case here, when a completely new gin was born in collaboration with Destillerie Farthofer. But how did the idea to create their very own Apothekergin come about? Find out the story behind it now:
The lemon balm had started to flower – the perfect moment for harvesting. Rosemary and coriander were also growing in the garden. After 18 attempts at brewing a gin of his own, it was time to expand the existing base blend – which included juniper, cardamom, angelica root, coriander and a hint of citrus – with some new botanicals. The first gin made with local botanicals was born. Around 20 more rounds would follow, until one decisive native plant finally found its way into his small home still: Masterwort.
Pharmacist Alexander Ehrmann had told me his favourite story from the treasure trove of traditional home remedies countless times: "My grandmother always used to say that as children they kept Masterwort in every pocket and were told to chew on it whenever they could. That way you won't get sick!"Masterwort has been a natural all-round remedy for centuries and was once even considered a miracle cure. It is said to have fever-reducing and anti-inflammatory properties, was administered as a tea, and when chewed, was thought to help with stomach and digestive complaints. But does Masterwort work with classic botanicals?
The world (doesn't) need another gin!
Even if many people insist the world doesn't need another gin: when tradition meets deep passion and the right people come together – people who share the same fire – it's simply inevitable. The Apothekergin was born. Base recipe in hand, the journey led to Öhling near Amstetten (Niederösterreich), to give the gin its finishing touch.Josef Farthofer, a Bio gin pioneer from the very beginning, was immediately captivated by this extraordinary recipe and took things even further with additional local botanicals.
First, extra botanicals were selected and carefully macerated. Josef monitors this process down to the minute, ensuring that the aromas pass into the distillate at their very best. A base alcohol is always added to gin, and in the Apothekergin – as it could only be – it comes from a grain variety called Brauweizen, grown on Farthofer's own organic fields. The water added to achieve the right alcohol strength comes from their own natural spring.
A new gin category is born
The result? The first Apothekergin featuring the native medicinal plant Masterwort, with a refreshingly fruity and pleasantly bitter edge. Difficult to place on the usual flavour wheel, the Apothekergin has carved out an entirely new category of its own. A finely balanced symbiosis of botanicals, infused with a generous dose of regionality and passion. Bottled – naturally – in a beautiful brown glass apothecary bottle with a fine glass stopper, a vessel that deserves to be cherished long after the last drop is poured.
The Apothekergin is best enjoyed neat first and foremost, as it truly shines on its own despite its 45% ABV. You can find the Apothekergin directly at the Saint Charles Apotheke, at the Saint Charles Store Wien, and at selected mixologists behind the bar. And all of that – completely without a prescription!
My tip: Keep it classic – simply serve as a Gin & Tonic (Thomas Henry is my personal favourite) with a slice of fresh ginger.
Apothekergin at a Glance:
Key ingredients:
Juniper (Juniperus
Masterwort (Radex Imperatoriae)
Further ingredients:
Coriander
Orange peel
Lemon peel
Rose blossoms
Calamus root
Rosemary
Alcohol: Bio brewing wheat of the Hermann variety
Water: from a local spring
Gin style: London Dry
