Botanical Bliss: Cocktails Featuring Herbal and Floral Notes
Herbs and flowers have long been used to infuse cocktails with unique, aromatic flavors that add depth and elegance. Whether you’re crafting a light, fragrant drink for a special occasion or simply want to experiment with nature’s bounty, botanical ingredients like lavender, rosemary, and elderflower offer endless possibilities.
Here’s a collection of recipes that showcase the delicate beauty of herbal and floral notes, perfect for any season.
1. Lavender Collins
A refreshing take on the classic Tom Collins, this cocktail pairs the citrusy brightness of lemon with the calming fragrance of lavender.
Ingredients:
2 oz gin
1 oz lavender syrup (recipe below)
1 oz fresh lemon juice
Soda water
Lavender sprig for garnish
Instructions:
Combine gin, lavender syrup, and lemon juice in a shaker with ice.
Shake and strain into a tall glass filled with ice.
Top with soda water and garnish with a lavender sprig.
Lavender Syrup: Combine 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water, and 2 tbsp dried culinary lavender in a saucepan. Simmer until the sugar dissolves, strain, and cool.
2. Elderflower Fizz
Elderflower liqueur adds a touch of sweetness and floral elegance to this sparkling cocktail.
Ingredients:
1.5 oz vodka or gin
0.75 oz elderflower liqueur (e.g., St-Germain)
0.5 oz fresh lime juice
3 oz sparkling wine
Edible flower for garnish
Instructions:
Combine vodka, elderflower liqueur, and lime juice in a shaker with ice.
Shake and strain into a coupe or flute glass.
Top with sparkling wine and garnish with an edible flower.
3. Rosemary Paloma
This earthy twist on the classic Paloma uses fresh rosemary for a herbaceous upgrade.
Ingredients:
2 oz tequila
1 oz fresh grapefruit juice
0.5 oz lime juice
0.5 oz rosemary simple syrup (recipe below)
Soda water
Rosemary sprig for garnish
Instructions:
Muddle a small rosemary sprig in the bottom of a shaker.
Add tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and rosemary syrup. Shake with ice.
Strain into a glass filled with ice and top with soda water.
Garnish with a rosemary sprig.
Rosemary Syrup: Combine 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water, and 3-4 rosemary sprigs in a saucepan. Simmer until the sugar dissolves, strain, and cool.
4. Hibiscus Sour
Vibrant and slightly tart, hibiscus tea brings a unique floral element to this colorful cocktail.
Ingredients:
2 oz bourbon
1 oz hibiscus syrup (recipe below)
0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
1 egg white (optional, for froth)
Lemon wheel for garnish
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients (except garnish) in a shaker without ice. Dry shake to emulsify the egg white.
Add ice and shake again until chilled.
Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with a lemon wheel.
Hibiscus Syrup: Steep 1 cup dried hibiscus flowers in 1 cup boiling water for 10 minutes. Strain and mix with 1 cup sugar until dissolved.
5. Thyme-Infused Bee’s Knees
Thyme adds an aromatic twist to this Prohibition-era gin cocktail.
Ingredients:
2 oz gin
0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
0.5 oz honey-thyme syrup (recipe below)
Lemon twist and thyme sprig for garnish
Instructions:
Combine gin, lemon juice, and honey-thyme syrup in a shaker with ice.
Shake and strain into a chilled coupe glass.
Garnish with a lemon twist and a sprig of thyme.
Honey-Thyme Syrup: Combine 1 cup honey, 1 cup water, and 5 thyme sprigs in a saucepan. Simmer until the honey dissolves, strain, and cool.
Tips for Using Botanicals in Cocktails
Choose Fresh Ingredients: Fresh herbs and edible flowers bring vibrant aromas and flavors to your drinks.
Experiment with Syrups: Infused syrups are an easy way to incorporate herbal or floral notes without overpowering the drink.
Start Small: A little goes a long way—begin with small amounts of herbs or flowers and adjust to taste.
Pair Flavors Thoughtfully: Match herbal and floral ingredients with complementary spirits and fruits for a balanced drink.
Discover Botanical Bliss at Bar 27
For those who prefer sipping over mixing, visit Bar 27 at Sweetbriar in NYC’s Flatiron District. Our talented mixologists have crafted a menu of botanical-inspired cocktails, featuring seasonal ingredients like lavender, rosemary, and elderflower.
Try This Featured Cocktail: The Rosemary Sparkle—a refreshing mix of rosemary syrup, lemon, and gin, topped with soda water and garnished with a fragrant sprig of rosemary.
Stay tuned for upcoming Sober January events, where you can explore botanical mocktails that are as flavorful as their spirited counterparts.
Raise a Glass to Nature’s Flavors
Herbal and floral cocktails are a celebration of nature’s beauty and versatility. Whether you’re experimenting with lavender at home or indulging in a Rosemary Paloma at Bar 27, these drinks are sure to elevate your cocktail experience.
Cheers to a botanical adventure—one sip at a time.