Chester Zoo Hosting A Gin Tasting Night To Educate On Plant Conservation

For anyone that's passionate about plants and alcohol in equal measure, we have just the event for you.

Chester Zoo are hosting a gin night which is themed on the world of plant conservation - a big part of what they do over at the Cheshire-based attraction.

On Friday 30th August from 6pm, guests will be able to taste and smell some of the zoo's home grown plants within its 125 acres of zoological gardens, before tasting specially-created botany inspired gin cocktails and canapes.

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Chester Zoo

A member of the Botany and Horticulture team will take guests behind the scenes in the orchid greenhouse, before going to Foragers Garden, where guests will get the opportunity to learn about the edible plants and the history of the planting.

For one night only guests will taste gins in the zoo's restaurant, The Oakfield, while an expert will reveal the role of the plants in creating the special drinks, which use Cuckoo Gin.

Chester Zoo, the most-visited of its kind in the UK, is also a registered conservation and education charity. Conservationists at the zoo conserving rare plant species and habitats in their every day work.

Chester Zoo

Phil Esseen, Chester Zoo's Curator of Botany and Horticulture, said: "Everyone knows that the zoo is a world leader in animal care and conservation, but scratch beneath the surface and you'll find a hidden zoo, full of delicate flowers and incredible gardens.

"Indeed, the zoo is home to over 900 different species of orchid, many critically endangered; boasts three National Collections of cacti and many truly unique UK native species.

"As a conservation charity, we are determined to prevent the extinction of threatened species, and that includes plants. We're always keen to inspire our visitors into helping us protect rare plants, as well as animal species.

"For many of us, understanding the importance of botany in gin seems a good place to start!"

The event costs £60 a head and can be booked here.

Topics: Life News, Tasty Drink, plants, Life, Food & Drink

Ciara Sheppard

Ciara is a freelance journalist working for Tyla. After graduating from the University of Sussex, Ciara worked as a writer at GLAMOUR Magazine and later as the Assistant Editor of Yahoo Style UK.

@ciarasheppard