3 Recipes for Delicious Spring Cocktails Made Right from Your Garden
Spring has sprung which means the time has come to start planning out your garden. While most people tend to think about corn, lettuce, and tomatoes for their garden, might we recommend adding a few herbs and spices to the mix? Not only are they great for adding a special touch to your homemade meals, but they can also be used in a pretty unique and refreshing way: spring cocktails. Now that the weather is warmer, there is really no better way to end a long day of work than by sitting outside with a frosty beverage. You can also offer a signature drink for guests at a party or wedding by including those herbs and spices fresh out of your garden.
We’ve put together some incredibly tasty cocktail recipes for you to try out this Spring, so get to mixing and drink responsibly!
Hierba Gin and Tonic
A drink staple for any Spring event is the Gin and Tonic, and this version is a refreshing spin on the old classic. If you’re lucky enough to have citrus trees on site, grab an orange and lime along with some rosemary for this tasty recipe.
Ingredients:
1 ½ oz. dry gin
1 ½ oz. tonic syrup
4 oz. club soda
1 lime wheel, for garnish
1 strip orange zest, for garnish
1 sprig rosemary, for garnish
Instructions:
Combine 1 ½ oz. each dry gin and tonic syrup in a wine glass with 1 large ice cube. Add 4 oz. club soda; garnish with 3 whole pink peppercorns, plus lime wheel, orange peel, and rosemary sprig.
Lavender Paloma
You just can’t go wrong with lavender and tequila, and this recipe proves it. Not only is lavender a beautiful addition to any garden, but it can also add a super classy touch to the classic tequila and grapefruit cocktail.
Ingredients:
For the Lavender Simple Syrup:
½ cup sugar
2 tbsp. lavender
For the Lavender Salt Rim:
1 tbsp. dried lavender
1 tbsp. Maldon sea salt
1 slice grapefruit
For the Cocktail:
3 oz. fresh grapefruit juice
2 oz. mescal
½ oz. lavender simple syrup
Instructions:
Make the simple syrup: Combine sugar and lavender with ½ cup water in a 1-qt. saucepan over medium heat; cook until sugar is dissolved, 3-5 minutes. Let steep for 20-30 minutes; strain, discarding lavender. Set aside to cool. Makes about ½ cup; extra syrup will keep refrigerated for up to two weeks.
Prepare the glass: Combine lavender and salt in a small dish. Rub a grapefruit slice around rim of glass and dip the rim in salt to coat. Fill with ice.
Make the cocktail: Combine grapefruit juice, mescal, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker filled with ice; shake vigorously and strain into salt-rimmed highball glass.
The Thousand Dollar Mint Julep
Seeing as how this drink recipe is actually sanctioned by the Kentucky Derby as their official mint julep recipe, you can’t fail when you offer this drink up at your next party. Just be sure to add some mint when planting your garden so you can make it anytime you want.
Ingredients:
2 tbs. mint simple syrup
(To make the mint syrup, combine 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water in a small saucepan. Boil until sugar is fully dissolved. Pour the syrup into a heatproof container filled with 1 cup of crushed mint. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. Strain and discard the mint. Mint syrup will keep for up to three weeks in the refrigerator.)
3 oz. bourbon, like Woodford Reserve
Sprig of mint, for garnish
Instructions:
Fill a glass or julep cup with crushed ice. Add bourbon and mint syrup; stir gently until the glass is thoroughly chilled. Garnish with mint sprig.
These three recipes are just our favorites, but there are so many different cocktails out there to try mixing with ingredients fresh from the garden. All it takes is some alcohol and imagination and you can come up with your own custom cocktail. Just be sure to drink responsibly and consider using a Bay Area car service to ensure your guests are able to get home safely after a fun night of great conversation and tasty cocktails.
Image Credit: freedigitalphotos.net/tiverylucky
