Growing your own cocktail garden
Whilst celebrating Christmas and New Year, we may partake in a cocktail or two! Whether you are celebrating by having a G&T with family, or relaxing with a cocktail after visitors have gone, a cocktail herb garnish garden is an innovative way to create a bit of atmosphere and theatre in your drinks. And with a bit of planning now, your gin garden could be fully established by next year. Here are our favourite herbs to grow for your chosen tipple:
All the herbs can be bought in pots and planted or grown from seed if you have the time.
Basil
A peppery herb that people tend to associate with summer and pesto pasta. But although it is an annual, basil is a herb that can be grown any time of year on a sunny window sill and will add a real hint of freshness to your cocktail.
Lavender
Lavender is also an easy to plant, not only is it an attractive addition to cocktail drinks, it smells divine too. Infusing a sprig of lavender in gin and vodka drinks will impart colour and a floral, woody flavour to cocktails. Works extremely well with lemony drinks.
Lemon Balm
A member of the mint family so best grown in a pot so it doesn’t spread like wildfire. When crushed, this herb releases a powerful aroma of zesty lemon and citrus so an ideal addition to a simple G&T or vodka-based cocktails to give it some zing.
Mint
The staple for a lot of drinks from Pimm’s to mojitos or a Southside gin cocktail. A refreshing tasting herb that gives a wonderful lift to drinks, especially in the summer. Mint can be a bully in a garden so its best planted in a container where it will thrive.
Rosemary
Rosemary is not just for food, it is an exciting garnish for cocktails too, providing a fresh and unique pine tasting twist. Rosemary is the perfect complement for a Gin Fizz with a slice of lemon, pomegranate or grapefruit gin, spritzers, Bloody Marys, as well as whiskey and bourbon cocktails.
Sage
Sage can be used in both white and brown spirit cocktails, for example gin, tequila or bourbon. It brings a sweet, earthy flavour to drinks and can be infused with spirits or prepared as a syrup.
Thyme
Thyme is a great herb to make sweet cocktails with a savoury edge. You can use traditional thyme or try lemon or orange thyme to incorporate citrusy flavours into your drinks.
Planting
Choose a container or planter that can hold about six planted herbs. Fill roughly two thirds of the container with a potting compost. Remove your plants from their pots and firmly press into place in the soil. Top up with compost making sure the roots are covered and water. Place in a sunny spot on your windowsill, conservatory or under a skylight and enjoy!
Depending on the size of your outside space, here are other plants to consider growing for gins and cocktails:
Nasturtiums – A beautiful and edible flower with peppery leaves similar in taste to rocket.
Cucumbers – So refreshing in a cocktail or Pimm’s.
Rhubarb – brings a tart flavour and brightness to the glass and works splendidly with almost any spirit.
Cheers!
Our kitchen herb planter is the perfect gardening gift for cocktail and mocktail drinkers, so they can grow their own garnish!
What are your thoughts about a cocktail garden? Have you planted one? Will you plant one in the future? Tag us with #gardenesquegarden
