Beefeater gin began life in Chelsea, London when James Burrough bought the Cale Street distillery in 1862. He began by producing a series of different spirits and liqueurs, but it was in 1895 when he hit upon a nine botanical recipe which would become his most famous product. The gin would remain in the Burrough family all the way through to 1987 until it was bought by French giant Pernod Ricard who still own it today.

The gin takes it's name from the Yeomen of the Guard who are the official bodyguard to the British Monarch.