Water mint Fine fresh botanical in Gin
Water mint grows in damp places and has aromatic leaves that can be used to flavour food and drink. Gathering wild food can be fun, but it’s best to do it with an expert – come to a Wildlife Trust event to try it.
About
There are about 14 or 15 species or hybrids of mint growing in the UK, most of which have very aromatic leaves. Water Mint prefers damp habitats and grows in water, making it a good choice for wildlife ponds and bog gardens. Its leaves can be used in the same way as other mints, flavouring cooking and drinks. It flowers from July to October and spreads vigorously using its creeping runners.
How to identify
Water mint has hairy, oval, toothed leaves that appear in whorls around the reddish stems. It produces dense clusters of lilac-pink flowers at the ends of its stems.
Distribution
Widespread.
Habitats
- Freshwater
- Wetlands
- Towns and gardens
Did you know?
Water mint is very attractive to a variety of insects, including Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock and Comma butterflies, as well as the Green Tortoise Beetle.
How people can help
The Wildlife Trusts manage many wetland nature reserves for the benefit of the wildlife they support. You can help by supporting your local Trust and becoming a member; you’ll find out about exciting wildlife news, events on your doorstep and volunteering opportunities, and will be helping local wildlife along the way.
(Water Mint) Evergreen or herbaceous creeping water plant flowering in rounded clusters of lilac-pink to a height of 2 feet. Native to swamps, ponds streamsides and wet woodlands with an extensive distribution in Africa, Europe to central Siberia and western Asia.
Since the herb naturalizes readily in ponds and streams, please consider the local environment before releasing it into the wild. This is a good plant, sometimes considered to be. . . too good.
Will stay put in the shade garden or in containerized plantings. Strongly aromatic, the leaves ovate and finely serrated, an excellent butterfly and honeybee feeder that also protects bees from parasites and pathogens. Considered a cleansing presence in the garden. Repels flies.
Flowers in the first year from seed. Traditional use of the fresh or dried leaves and flowers: a tea herb used for calming the digestion and as a universally agreeable flavoring agent. Source of menthol. This plant is highly adaptable to sun or shade and almost any soil as long as it is kept moist.
An excellent choice for around the hose bib or at edge of goldfish pond where it clarifies the water, protects small-fry and serves as frog habitat. Press seed into soil surface and keep evenly moist, warm and in the light until germination, which is rapid. Space plants 1 foot apart
Rock Rose gin with water mint botanical
Flavourful and fresh, zesty yet berryful with a long smooth finish.
Rock Rose Gin gets its wonderful flavour from a carefully selected and put together creation of local and traditional botanicals. Each one meticulously chosen for their flavour properties to create the perfect taste.
After fifty five experiments by Martin & Claire the final recipe was chosen to give a wee taste of Caithness and the very first batch was distilled on the 17th August 2014.
ROCK ROSE GIN
TASTING NOTES
NOSE
A delicate bouquet of rose, mixed with deeper cardamom and a touch of citrus.
PALATE
Fruity berries merge with a floral nose to give a full-bodied, rounded gin. Bright notes ping as the juniper comes forward.
FINISH
The sharpness of the sea buckthorn emerges, but once again is rounded off by berries and a juniper heart. Smooth sherbet lemon notes create a lingering finish.
Rock Rose is one of the finest Gins I have had the privilege of tasting, easily challenging the more established marques. Definitely worthy of the awards and recognition it has already received. Thank you for the experience…
– KEITH BYROM –
Rock Rose Gin
Water mint
Limited Edition Summer Garden Tonic water
Summer Garden Tonic Water is expertly crafted to bring flavours synonymous with summer to your glass. Crisp green apple and cucumber are blended with bright botanicals to deliver a delicate burst of garden-fresh flavours. Balanced with the gentle bitterness of our signature quinine.
Taste
A crisp & delicate tonic water which brings the fresh green notes of a summer garden to your glass including juicy cucumber, green apple and garden mint. Light and refreshing.
When paired with classic London Dry gins, the new Summer Garden Tonic Water offers a bright seasonal twist on the nation’s favourite G&T. Best enjoyed alfresco.
Key Ingredients
Crafted by blending spring water with the essential oils of apple, cucumber & mint with our signature quinine from Central Africa.
Quinine
Cinchona ledgeriana
Democratic Republic of Congo
Quinine is the key ingredient that creates the gentle bitterness in tonic water. Our name was chosen as it is the colloquial name for the cinchona tree, the bark of which produces quinine. After discovering early 17th century references in the British library, Charles and Tim located one of the only remaining plantations of original Cinchona Ledgeriana trees (known locally as ‘fever trees’) which produce some of the highest quality quinine in the world, located in the Democratic Republic of Congo. For Charles and Tim, there was no other option but to source Fever-Tree’s quinine from this area.
COTSWOLDS DRY GIN Use Water mint
46% ABV
Our award-winning Cotswolds Dry Gin is a delectable blend of nine carefully-considered botanicals, including local lavender from the Cotswolds and freshly peeled pink grapefruit and lime zest.
Due to the unusually high volume of botanicals we use, our gin causes a beautiful pearlescent cloud to appear when ice or tonic is added. A juniper-led gin with fresh citrusy notes and a hint of lavender.
Magnum and double magnum bottles available to purchase.
Cotswolds Gin
Water Mint
