Berkley Care Group has collaborated with Oxfordshire-based Sky Wave Distillery to create Golden Hour, a bespoke gin crafted with and for its residents.

Residents of Berkley Care played the leading role in designing the gin, including selecting flavour profiles and shaping its name.

Earlier this year, after residents expressed their preference for gin and tonic, they visited Sky Wave’s Bicester distillery to sample blends, contribute ideas, and work with master distiller Andrew Parsons.

As general manager at Cumnor Hill House in Oxford, whose resident took part in the tasting, Sherrie Hume described the opportunity to be involved in such a creative project as “incredibly special”. She explained that residents enjoyed comparing blends, discussing flavours, and embracing the chance to contribute meaningfully: “They relished every stage of the process, and the visit to Sky Wave Distillery was a real highlight.”

The gin created takes its name from the ‘Golden Hour’ at Fernhill House in Worcester, one of Berkley’s 12 homes, where residents gather every Thursday evening to share a drink together. That weekly ritual is now being extended across all Berkley homes.

Golden Hour is a London Dry gin described as “floral, aromatic and characterful”, perfectly suited to a classic gin and tonic.

Laura Perry, chief executive of Berkley Care Group, said: “This collaboration with Sky Wave Distillery has been such a joy, not only because it has resulted in an exceptional gin, but because it has given our residents a real sense of ownership and pride in creating something uniquely theirs. 

“At Berkley Care Group, we’re always looking for ways to enrich daily life, and this project has sparked creativity, conversation, and connection. Golden Hour is more than just a drink; it’s a celebration of our residents’ tastes, stories, and the moments we share together.”