Edinburgh Gin and Edinburgh Festival Fringe present … a limited-edition collaboration with Eddie Izzard to raise funds for Fringe artists
07 August 2023
Edinburgh Festival Fringe Patron Eddie Izzard and Edinburgh Gin have collaborated on a limited-edition gin, the profits from which will provide financial support for artists wishing to perform at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe – with the goal of raising more than £10,000.
The botanical mix for the gin and the unique packaging have been created in partnership with Eddie, following a similar collaboration with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society’s honorary President, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, in 2021. All profits from both bottles will contribute to the arts’ recovery by creating subsidies that will help the next generation of talent.
In addition to the core botanicals in the classic Edinburgh Gin (juniper, coriander seed, angelica, liquorice and orris), Eddie’s gin includes bladderwrack seaweed, elderflower, lemon myrtle, inca berries, echinacea, verbena and elderberries – the initials letters of which spell out “Believe”.
Speaking on the creation and launch of the new botanical mix and bottle, Eddie Izzard said: “I was very happy to be asked to work on a new distinct recipe and limited-edition bottle of Edinburgh Gin as I am a patron of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe – the largest arts festival in the world – and because the profits from the sales are going to help new generations of acts starting their careers there.
“As someone who performed from 1981 in 12 Festival Fringe shows over 13 years, I have a strong connection with the great historical city of Edinburgh. The seven letters of BELIEVE each represent a different botanical that has gone into the creation of the new and limited-edition recipe. This means a lot to me as I have performed in different languages, acted in a lot of films and run multiple marathons despite many setbacks, but I know anything is possible if you believe.”
Karen Crowley, Brand Director at Edinburgh Gin, said: “After a brilliant collaboration with Phoebe Waller-Bridge in 2021, we are so pleased to bring to life another wonderful partnership with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, this time with the inimitable Eddie Izzard.
“It has been inspiring to work with Eddie and hear all her wonderful stories during the development of this exciting new gin. We have worked together closely to make sure this is a design and recipe we are all really proud of. We’re delighted to be able to offer the profits of the bottle to the next generation of talent, and continue giving a helping hand to the future Eddie Izzards of the world.”
With a very limited run of 2,400 bottles, demand is expected to be high. The bottles will be available to buy from edinburghgin.com and from the Edinburgh Gin shop (49 Hanover St, Edinburgh EH2 2PJ) and distillery (1A Rutland Place, Edinburgh EH1 2AD), priced at £35.