The story of Brixton Gin began with Andrew Murray-Watson, a long-time Brixton resident, standing in his gourmet grocery store, Guzzl, in Brixton Village. Gazing at a shelf of gins from across London and the UK, it struck him as odd that Brixton did not have its own gin. Fast forward a few years, Andrew and his partner, Calandra Smith, find themselves in lockdown during a pandemic, with their new baby, Rosie, and plenty of time on their hands. One afternoon, as they sat in their garden, Andrew, holding a large G&T, remarked to Calandra about Brixton's lack of a signature gin. Calandra's nonchalant "Hmmm?" led Andrew to propose they do something about it, and thus, the seed for Brixton Gin was planted.
In their cobbled back garden near Windrush Square, with a sleeping baby inside and a shaggy black dog under the table, the idea of Brixton Gin began to take shape. Over the next six months, as Rosie grew, Andrew and Calandra assembled a team to turn their vision into reality. Soon enough, Brixton Gin was born, featuring locally sourced botanicals like raw honey and wood violets grown in disused spaces around Brixton. The gin not only looked and tasted great but also captured the essence of their vibrant community.
As word spread, Brixton Gin gained traction. People started buying it, loving it, and coming back for more. Pubs, restaurants, wholesalers, and even Instagram influencers took notice and wanted to get involved. Three years later, Brixton Gin had won awards, grown steadily, and become a thriving business. Rosie was nearly ready for school, with a little brother now in tow. Brixton, known for its unique spirit and community-driven ethos, had birthed a gin that stood out in a crowded market, telling a story of innovation and local pride. And that's the short version of the story of Brixton Gin.