It seems like everyone has a personal herb garden these days.

I tried growing one, but the basil failed and the coriander took over like the militant evil plant that it is.

Granted, my original sin was growing coriander in the first place. It’s the devil’s herb and tastes like sadness.

The newest trend – and one that I’m likely to put more effort into – is personal botanical garnish gardens.

It’s an add-on to the international gin trend which has taken off in a massive way. The spirit, which for years trailed behind vodka and tequila in the rankings is now leading the pack.

This probably has something to do with its health benefits and the fact that people woke up one day, as if from a decades-long hangover, to the fact that a G&T is what they should have been drinking all along.

Welcome.

Back to botanical garnish gardens – these include, amongst other things, juniper trees, as well as all of the botanicals that take a classic G&T from great to next-level great.

According to the Telegraph, your basic garden should contain the following botanicals:

Cucumber

Cucumber is a fashionable ingredient for a light, clean-tasting gin. They can happily grow in a greenhouse, or outdoors in some cases.

Juniper

Juniper trees can be nurtured from saplings in a large plant pot or in the garden, but they do take patience to bear fruit. The berries work well in sauces with game and venison, as well as in gin.

Sloe

The sloe, or berry of the blackthorn tree, makes the ever-popular sloe gin. A sapling can be planted all year round, preferably in well-drained soil in full sunlight.

Raspberries

The addition of raspberries will give your gin a pink tint. They are usually ready for harvesting in early summer. Bonus – if you grow more than you need, they freeze well for another time.

You could also just buy the iconic Cape Town Gin Pink Lady – also prettily pink with subtle hints of rosewater. Add a few raspberries or juniper berries for impact, and to add a tartness to the taste.

All of the above botanicals added to a glass of Cape Town Classic Gin and tonic will also elevate the already top-notch gin to new heights, with the added fun of telling people you grew the garnish yourself.

So while herb gardens are cool (if you’re into that sort of thing), the botanical garnish garden seem to be all the rage.

Heck – treat yourself and grow both.

You can get your hands on a bottle of Cape Town Gin’s Pink Lady here.

[source:telegraph]