In the distillery garden we grow botanicals for flavour, function, and ecological balance. Some plants quietly transform both food and spirits. Lovage stands among the most powerful. Strong, aromatic, and ancient in its use, this bold perennial is gaining new attention in the Downton garden.
Lovage, Levisticum officinale, has been cultivated across Europe since Roman times. It thrives in rich soil and quickly sends up tall hollow stems that can reach over two metres in a single season. Its scent is unmistakable. Deep green and savoury, many people describe it as concentrated celery with notes of parsley, fennel, and wild herbs.
We have used it within James May Gins and it will be used within some of our newer spirits.
Leaves
The leaves carry the plant’s boldest flavour. In the kitchen they act as a natural amplifier for savoury dishes. A small amount lifts soups, stews, tomato sauces, and roasted vegetables. Chefs often use it to replace salt or celery. The leaves contain essential oils rich in phthalides and terpenes that create that intense umami depth.
Stems
The stems are hollow and aromatic. They can be chopped into stocks or used to infuse syrups and cordials. In the distillery they offer a clean green backbone that works well with juniper, citrus peel, and root botanicals. The flavour is bright yet savoury, which creates balance in botanical spirits.
Seeds
Lovage seeds bring a warmer character. Slightly spicy with hints of anise and celery. They have long appeared in European liqueurs and herbal bitters where they contribute digestive properties and aromatic complexity.
Roots
The root has the strongest medicinal history. Traditional herbal medicine uses lovage root as a digestive tonic and mild diuretic. It stimulates gastric juices, supports kidney function, and helps the body manage fluid balance. These properties explain its long presence in monastic cordials and old herbal spirits designed to settle the stomach after heavy meals.
In the garden lovage works hard. Its tall flowers attract bees, hoverflies, and beneficial insects that support orchard pollination. The deep root system improves soil structure and pulls minerals upward for neighbouring plants.
Lovage is bold, practical, and deeply aromatic. It strengthens savoury food, supports digestion, feeds pollinators, and offers serious structure in spirits. A plant that delivers flavour, function, and ecological value in one tall green powerhouse.
