PLANT A COCKTAIL HERB GARDEN
If you have yet to jump on the gardening bandwagon during your shelter in place, perhaps a cocktail-centric herb garden will do the trick. These are all pretty easy to grow and do great in containers, and will keep your cocktails in peak form all summer.
Don’t forget, most of these herbs are delicate, so no need to be heavy handed when using them. Gently press with a muddle or your fingers to release the oils, rather than crushing them.
Mint
Mint is easy to grow and you can use it for so many different cocktails. Also it smells great! There are many varieties of mint, but spearmint, peppermint, and chocolate mint are probably the most commonly found in nurseries. Definitely plant mint in containers as it will take over your garden if left to its own devices. Makes a great simple syrup!
Use in: Mojitos! / Mint Julep / Southside / As a garnish
Minty Cocktails for Summer from Imbibe Magazine
Basil
A great culinary herb, basil also works well in cocktails, giving them a savory twist. Basil is a sun loving plant that’s sensitive to cold, so make sure there’s no risk of freezing temperatures where you plant it (or you can grow it indoors!). Add some basil to your next gin gimlet, garnish your Bloody Mary with a few leaves, muddle some basil with a few strawberries and make yourself a whiskey smash.
Use in: Bloodys / Gimlets / G & Ts / Seasonal Fruit Smash
Rosemary
I love verbena because it smells amazing and is a slightly less common addition to the garden. It makes a lovely syrup or a fragrant garnish, and plays well with clear and floral spirits like gin and pisco. Makes a great addition to a spiked lemonade!
Use in: Herbal teas / Infusions / Spanish G & T / Gin Gimlet
Rosemary Syrup Cocktails from Food and Wine
Lemon Verbena
I love verbena because it smells amazing and is a slightly less common addition to the garden. It makes a lovely syrup or a fragrant garnish, and plays well with clear and floral spirits like gin and pisco. Makes a great addition to a spiked lemonade!
Use in: Herbal teas / Infusions / Spanish G & T / Gin Gimlet
Rosemary Syrup Cocktails from Food and Wine
Written by Nat Harry
Nat Harry is the former spirit buyer and used to curate the spirits portfolio at Cask stores, including selecting many of the shop’s single barrels and agave club offerings. A career bartender, Nat fell in love with artisan spirits while running a farm to table bar program at Berkeley’s Revival Bar & Kitchen, and has received accolades including the East Bay Express award for Best Bartender in the East Bay.
A Beginner's Guide To Kentucky Straight Bourbon Part 3: Tasting Notes
Written by Sev Welker
tasting bourbon is a sensory experience that requires patience, practice, and a perceptive palate. by understanding the different flavors and aromas found in bourbon, you can
READ MORE
A Beginner's Guide to Kentucky Straight Bourbon Part 2: Distilling Process
Written by Sev Welker
our first installment of this series went over a brief history of kentucky straight bourbon. in part two, we’ll be centering on the distilling process
READ MORE
A Beginner's Guide to Kentucky Straight Bourbon Part 1: History
Written by Sev Welker
if you’re new to the world of bourbon, it can be hard to know where to start. that’s why we’ve created this beginners guide to
READ MORE
BITTERS ARE HERE TO STAY
at every turn a new reddish gold or burnt orange bottle presents us with another opportunity to stimulate the appetite, and i for one am
READ MORE
