It’s that time of year to start thinking about backyard picnics and patio drinking. What do you have in your garden that could make a fresh cocktail? While we think about the cocktails we’re going to sip, we should also think about what we could plant in our gardens or have growing around us to add to our sweet libations.
My favorite part of creating a drink is thinking, “How can I take this classic cocktail and make it different? How do I make an Old Fashion something new or different?” I, like many where I live, have the privilege of making my own maple syrup and always use it in cocktails instead of sugar.
When thinking about what I want in my garden for cocktails, I also consider how I will garnish these solutions. The typical lime, lemon or orange wedge on the edge is a bit harder to grow in Upstate New York. The garnish can be anything that looks nice or smells nice, as long as it’s edible. You can use herbs, fruits, flowers or vegetables – you could even use a smoking stick! The most important thing is to enjoy what you are drinking, and what is more enjoyable than drinking your own grown cocktail!
Fruits to grow/forage for cocktails:
Strawberries
Blueberries
Raspberries
Wild grapes
Wild blackberries
Apples
Vegetables:
Tomatoes
Jalapeños
Cucumbers
Beets
Herbs:
Rosemary
Basil
Dill
Mint
Thyme
Other:
Maple syrup
Pansy flowers
Hibiscus flowers
Oak chips
And now the best part – some recipes!
Blueberry Mint Julep
2 oz whiskey
½ oz simple syrup
5 – 8 blueberries
2 mint sprigs
Muddle berries and mint then add whiskey and syrup and stir. Fill with crushed ice and serve.
Maple Old Fashion
3 oz whiskey
½ oz Wren Bros. Maple Syrup (or any brand you have on hand)
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Orange peel for zest and garnish
Stir, then add ice and stir again.
Strawberry Jalapeño Margarita
2 oz tequila
1 lime (for fresh squeezed juice)
2 strawberries
3 slices of jalapeño (seed side will be hotter)
½ oz agave syrup or simple syrup
Muddle berries and peppers with lime juice; add tequila and syrup and shake.
Blackberry Mojito
2 oz Rum
5 blackberries
½ oz Simple syrup
1 lime (fresh squeezed juice)
2 mint sprigs
Splash of club soda/seltzer
Muddle berries and mint with lime juice, add rum and syrup, then shake and top with soda.
Thyme Collins
2 oz gin
½ oz lemon juice (1/2 lemon)
½ oz thyme simple syrup (add fresh thyme to your warm simple syrup and let sit for a day)
4 oz club soda/seltzer
Garnish with fresh thyme sprig.
Story and recipes by Bill Wren
