Beefeater

Beefeater traces its roots to 1863, when pharmacist James Burrough purchased a Chelsea distillery for £400 and began crafting gin using his chemist's training. The brand name first appeared in company records in 1876 and has since become synonymous with London Dry gin. Today the distillery sits in Kennington, making Beefeater the only major international gin brand still distilled in the capital.

The Burrough family ran the business for over a century before selling to Whitbread in 1987. After passing through Allied Domecq, the brand landed with Pernod Ricard in 2005, where it remains part of the drinks giant's premium spirits portfolio.

Beefeater's recipe has stayed remarkably consistent since the Victorian era. Nine botanicals go into each batch: juniper, angelica root and seeds, coriander, liquorice, almonds, orris root, Seville oranges, and lemon peel. The steeping and distillation method James Burrough developed in the 1860s continues largely unchanged.

Beefeater 0.0 represents the brand's entry into alcohol-free spirits. Launched in 2024, it aims to capture the juniper-forward, citrus-bright character of the London Dry original without the alcohol. Natural flavourings recreate the botanical profile, making it a credible option for G&T drinkers taking a night off.

The 0.0 launched first in Spain before rolling out more widely. In the UK, it's currently available through specialist alcohol-free retailers rather than mainstream supermarkets. For a heritage brand with Beefeater's recognition, that distribution should expand as the category grows.

When a name as established as Beefeater commits to the alcohol-free category, it shifts things for casual drinkers who might otherwise feel uncertain about alternatives. The 0.0 is not pushing the boundaries of what craft AF spirits can do, but that's not really the point. It's a familiar entry point into a category that can still feel unfamiliar to many.

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