UK-based tea and food firm The East India Company has introduced a London dry gin, its first spirit.

The company's London dry gin is made from 12 botanicals, including coriander, angelica, juniper, cocoa, liquorice, and orris root, reported thespiritsbusiness.com. The spirit has been in development since 2007.

In order to prepare the recipe, the company looked through its own records as well as several archives of the British Library, Kew Gardens, Maritime Museum, and the V&A Museum.

"The East India Company has held a remarkable connection with people all over the world."

The gin was prepared after research into blending and flavour experimentation for several months.

The East India Company marketing director Esther Canibano Garcia said: “We have embarked on this journey with a super-premium London Dry Gin, a spirit sitting at the core of our heritage of global trading in the finest botanicals and spices.

“The East India Company, from its inception over 400 years ago, exemplified and evolved, not only the flavour of London Dry Gin but was also fundamental in the creation of the ubiquitous gin and tonic.”

The East India Company was acquired by chairman and managing director Sanjiv Mehta in 2005.

Mehta said: “When I took the helm, I set about reawakening a once powerful brand that had lain dormant for 161 years and making it great again.

“For more than 400 years, The East India Company has held a remarkable connection with people all over the world and its influence can be seen throughout English-speaking society.

"My vision for it today is one of a contemporary business developing high-quality luxury products, including a super-premium spirit.”

The East India Company London Dry Gin is available in select bars, hotels and restaurants.