Posted in Uncategorized

Celebrate a New Year

HERB COCKTAIL INSPIRATION TO CELEBRATE 2022!

For me at least, it feels like 2021 has lasted forever. I’m ready to look ahead to 2022 and all it’s potential.

I’ll likely raise a glass of cheer and welcome 2022 with a fun festive drink either with a herb garnish or as an infused flavour. Some herbs pair better with cocktails than others, but don’t limit yourself to just mint!

Some great herbs to try in mixed drinks either with alcohol or not. Herbs make non alcoholic drinks tasty and special too!

-Mint

-Rosemary

-Sage

-Thyme

Nettle Tea Mojitos (Alcohol-free Mocktails)

Ingredients

  • 1 lime
  • 1/2 cup hot water
  • 2 Nettle Tea Bags
  • 1/2 tsp raw honey
  • 1 cup crushed ice
  • 1/2 cup sparkling water or cold water
  • 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves (plus more for garnish)

Instructions:

  • Brew tea all together with the 1/2 cup hot water and 2 tea bags in a cup according to directions on the package (approx. 5 mins).
  • To your cocktail glasses, split the tea in half, pouring in each glass. Add 1/4 tsp of raw honey to each glass and stir to dissolve in the hot water.
  • Next, squeeze half a lime in each glass and stir. 
  • Tear mint leaves up by hand a bit to release some of the oils and divide evenly amongst glasses, muddle with a spoon in the bottom of the glass.
  • Now add your crushed ice, followed by your sparkling or cold water to fill to the top with.
  • Garnish with whole mint leaves and serve!

photo and recipe by Allison Marras

Blackberry Sage Gin and tonic

Ingredients

  • 4-5 blackberries, plus extra for garnish
  • ½ oz. sage simple syrup (recipe below)
  • Splash of lemon juice
  • 1 ½ oz. gin
  • San Pellegrino
  • Sage leaves, for garnish (optional)

FOR SAGE SIMPLE SYRUP

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 bunch sage leaves

FOR SIMPLE SYRUP

  1. Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil and stir until sugar is dissolved. Remove pan from heat and add the sage leaves. Cover and let steep for 10 minutes. Remove sage and strain into a glass container for storage. Store syrup in the refrigerator for up to 6 weeks.

FOR COCKTAIL

  1. Fill a tumbler with ice water and set aside. In a cocktail shaker, muddle blackberries with sage simple syrup and lemon juice. Fill shaker with ice. Add gin and shake for 30 seconds. Pour ice water out of chilled tumbler and fill with ice. Strain contents of shaker into tumbler. Top with San Pellegrino and garnish with blackberries and/or sage leaf if desired. Enjoy!

Photo and recipe By Sarah Daniel

Bourbon Cider Punch

Ingredients

  • 4 ounces apple cider or more to taste
  • 2 ounces bourbon
  • 2 tablespoons thyme simple syrup
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • splash of club soda

Garnish

  • apple slice
  • lemon slice
  • thyme sprig

Instructions

  • Fill a glass with ice. Add the simple syrup, bourbon and apple cider, stir to combine and add the lemon juice and club soda. Garnish with a sprig of lemon and thin slices of lemon and apple. Serve.

photo and recipe from garlic and zest

HERBGARDEN.CA