Cocktails – From Garden to Glass

Summer is usually full of Sangria, Mojitos and Margaritas. Add a bit of spice to your life with cocktails featuring some unlikely herbal combinations. Have you ever wondered what’s in that mojito, how does that martini taste so good and what puts the zing in that Collins? We’ve rounded up some unique cocktail combinations we’re just dying to try at our next get together.
Basil Me Up
An interesting twist on the classic Gin and Tonic, this drink from GrowEatGift takes home grown basil and takes your Gin and Tonic from ordinary to extraordinary. Apple juice, grapefruit juice and lime juice with 4 – 6 basil leaves and some tasty gin is the recipe for a heavenly summer beverage. Perfect for barbecues or late nights, it will leave your guests thirsting for more.
A Vous de Savourer
Looking for a refreshing new cocktail concoction? Journal Sentinel featured this beautiful mix of lavender, gin, grapefruit juice and champagne. Whilst this mix of unique flavours may not sound quite that appetising, it’s perfect for ladies brunch or celebrations. Not only is it stunningly presented with a colourful sprig of lavender, it’s also pleasing to the palette.
Peach and Rosemary Cocktail
Rosemary isn’t just good for a savoury chicken rub, it is also perfect in this Peach and Rosemary Cocktail from Serious Eats. Create a gorgeous bourbon sour by creating your own rosemary simple syrup with this delectable recipe.
Grapefruit, Lemongrass and Ginger Sake Cocktail
Sake is more than just something to wash down that sushi. In this cocktail from The Bojon Gourmet fresh lemongrass and ginger are combined with grapefruit and sugar to create a one of a kind masterpiece. With Sake this good, you won’t be just drinking it at your local Sushi spot.
Fig Thyme Cocktail
It’s that time of year when the figs are nearly ripe and we’ll have more figs than we can handle. Or can we? With this cocktail recipe you just might be looking for more. Honestly Yum brings us this glorious Cointreau masterpiece with fresh figs, simple thyme syrup and pisco. Enjoy.
Chili Passion Caipirinha
Okay – So chilies aren’t really an herb, but you can grow them in your garden! The end of the Summer is quickly approaching and we’ll be wishing we were on a beach somewhere. Bring a bit of Brazil to your back garden with this chili passion caipirinha from DrinkingMadeEasy.com. Passion fruit, chili and Sriracha creating an enticingly spicy treat.
Cognac Summit Cocktail
Whether you love cognac or not, this cocktail is definitely one to try. FBWorld.com introduces the Cognac Summit Cocktail. A tantalising mix of thinly sliced fresh ginger, cucumber peel and lemonade. Since there you don’t have to make syrup or mash anything together it is also quick to whip up and is beautiful served over ice.
Pineapple Cilantro Serrano Cocktail
Spice, ice and everything nice. This cocktail from COOKIE + kate is ahhhmazing! Tequila combined with cilantro, which is better known as coriander, a muddled slice of serrano pepper and pineapple gives you a refreshingly spicy sweet number to sip on. Savour this one as the serrano pepper is quite high up on the Scoville Scale; too much pepper and it will definitely be making you sweat.
The Summer Storm
Straight from the streets of New York comes this thirst quencher full of fresh mint and fresh blueberries, perfect for a dwindling British Summer. Smith & Ratliff bring us the Stormy Summer Blueberry cocktail, so named for the weather in NY this Summer. It involves fresh mint, fresh blueberries, soda water, lime juice and the gin of your choice. They’ve chosen a lovely woody Gin from California for their cocktail. Sipped under sunny skies or grey it will be a refreshing choice worth pureeing for.
Strawberry Tarragon Bubbly
Looking for a drink that looks elegant and tastes wow? Look no further than Strawberry Tarragon Bubbly from the Alabama Chanin Journal. Simply combine extra ripe strawberrys, tarragon, orange juice, water and sugar to create a syrup and mix it with bitters and sparkling white wine. Looking like something straight out of a celebrity wedding it will bring a touch of sophistication to dinner parties or elegance to brunch.
Garden a bit overgrown now that summer is coming to a close? Use up some of those garden herbs and create your own garden fresh cocktail. Share it with us on Facebook, on Twitter @applianceity and make sure to tag them with #gardencocktails.
Title Image Credit: Eco-Chick