To celebrate their 40th anniversary, legendary luxury boutique hotel, Blakes, has partnered with Portobello Road Gin to create a special edition bespoke gin that will be served exclusively at the hotel from now. Located in the heart of Kensington, the hotel’s secret courtyard, designed by Matthew Williamson, will be transforming into a gin garden to mark the collaboration. A brand new menu of refreshing summer cocktails created using the exclusive gin is now available for hotel guests and visitors alike to sample.

The Blakes 40th Anniversary gin, was created when key members of the Blakes bar team visited the Ginstitute in Notting Hill to work with Master Distiller, Jake Burger, on creating the perfect London Dry Gin. Designed to complement the ethos of Blakes Hotel, the Blakes gin shares the same juniper and coriander heavy notes that Portobello Road Gin itself does, but has been made aromatic and citrusy by the addition of fresh green herbs. These herbs are added to the pot still at the last moment of the distillation process to retain their vitality and prevent the flavours from dulling. These include basil, rosemary and lemongrass.

Blakes Hotel’s Head Bartender, Alex Spencer, has created a new menu of cocktails to showcase the botanicals found in this delicious bespoke gin. Club Blakes, a twist on the modern classic the Clover Club, includes lemon juice, raspberries and egg white for a smooth, fruity drink. The Lady of Blakes, made with the additions of Cointreau, apple juice, cucumber syrup and lemon delivers a refreshing and aromatic cocktail. To fit in with the location, the last cocktail is aptly called Secret Garden. It consists of limes, pomegranate seeds and is mixed with Fever Tree’s elderflower tonic to create a beautiful summer classic. These drinks perfectly depicting what Blakes Hotel offers – discretion with a hint of captivation for what is waiting behind closed doors.

Blakes Hotel, 33 Roland Gardens, London. www.blakeshotels.com