Ampleforth Apple & Mad Alice Gin

York Gin is embracing autumn with two special edition releases to celebrate the changing seasons.

Our brand new Ampleforth Apple gin is made with four varieties of apple we picked during a recent visit to the North Yorkshire abbey’s heritage orchard.

It’s a collaboration with the historic Ampleforth Abbey, which already makes cider and apple juice on site. Perfect serves include our apple gin with ginger beer – a terrific autumnal treat.

Miles Skehan, Estate Manager at Ampleforth Abbey, said: “The orchard at Ampleforth Abbey produces around 15 tonnes of apples each year, all hand-picked by the Monastic Community, staff and volunteers. We are delighted to be collaborating with York Gin, so even more people can enjoy the apples harvested from our heritage orchard.”

Ampleforth Abbey is a working monastery with a number of attractions open to visitors, including the Abbey Church, Tearoom and Visitor Centre open daily. Entry is free for all visitors, and no booking is required.

Visitors to Ampleforth Abbey can also learn more about the history of apples at Ampleforth during October half-term when the Abbey is hosting a series of apple-themed events as part of Apple Week.

Meanwhile, our Mad Alice’s Bloody Orange gin – inspired by the entertaining and terrifying tour guide and her ‘Bloody Tour of York’ – makes its annual return for Spooky Season.

York revels in its reputation as ‘Europe’s Most Haunted City’ and is inundated with ghost hunters and lovers of the supernatural in October and early November.

Alicia Stabler, who plays the Mad Alice character, said: “It’s the busiest time of year for Mad Alice, so she’ll be staying off her gin until November. But everyone else can enjoy it with tonic or in Halloween cocktails.”

Our Director Natalie Hall said: “We love collaborating with famous historical institutions. So when Ampleforth Abbey suggested an apple gin, we needed no persuading! And we had so much fun picking the apples in their beautiful orchard.

“It really is the perfect place to visit and they now offer a pick-your-own apples experience which we highly recommend.

“Mad Alice is a historic institution in her own right – based on a local early 19th-century character. We get so many requests for her Bloody Orange gin that we have to relent for Spooky Season!

“Mad Alice is hosting a spooky Ghost Train on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway over the coming weekends – and if you’re lucky enough to get a ticket, you can enjoy an exclusive miniature of her gin!”