3 HERBS TO ADD TO YOUR COCKTAILS 

When it comes to creating cocktails, it’s not about just the liquor and other liquids that make your drinks special. Whether you’re muddling into a mojito (recipe below), infusing into a simple syrup, or using as a garnish, there are some herbs that were made for cocktails.

Take your drinks to a higher level of flavour with these four herbs:

• Rosemary
• Mint
• Lavender

When working with herbs in drinks, it’s important to wake them up before adding them into your drinks. This is called ‘disciplining’ your herbs. You’ll want to make sure to do this when adding sprigs as a garnish, as well as before muddling.

To do this, place a fresh sprig in one palm, and slap your hands together. This releases more fragrance and flavour that are then released into the drink.

ROSEMARY

Rosemary is known for it’s strong aromas, and hardiness that can withstand the seasons, making it a go-to for year round cocktails. It pairs best with gin-based drinks, and also pairs well with whiskey.

 Try this combination for a light and easy drink with Rosemary:

• Hidden Temple Gin
• 4 oz. Club Soda
• 1 oz Freshly Squeezed Grapefruit Juice
• 1 Sprig of fresh rosemary

MINT

 Your classic mojito would not exist without the flavour of fresh muddled mint. This classic herb used in cocktails is one of the most popular. This is because mint has a cool, refreshing flavour that can’t be beat when it comes to summer cocktails.

To muddle your mint, make sure you have a proper muddler to make sure the job is done right. Before adding the mint, discipline it, then place the leaves into a mixing glass. Using a muddler, crush the mint in a circular motion. This works best with either some lime wedges or a tiny bit of chaser to add to the liquid.

Make a classic Mojito:

• 10 fresh mint leaves with a few lime wedges
• 6 lime wedges
• 2 tbsp White Sugar
• 1 cup of ice cubes
• 1.5 oz Bacardi White Rum
• ½ cup Club Soda

 Muddle the mint leaves and 2 lime wedges together in the glass you’re serving the drink in. Then, place the sugar and another 2 lime wedges into the muddler and muddle together. Then add in your rum, and top it off with club soda.

LAVENDER

One of the most aromatic herbs, lavender is a great flavour to use when distilling into a simple syrup (check out our simple syrup post on how-to). It can be batched this way, along with most herbs, and used as a go-to addition compared to a standard simple syrup.

When using lavender as a garnish, it may be best to skip the discipline depending on the flower itself, due to how delicate it is. 

Here’s a Lavender Collins to try with your home-made lavender simple syrup:

• 1.5oz of Hidden Temple Gin
• 1 oz Lemon Juice
• .5 oz Lavender Simple Syrup
• Sparkling Water 

What’s your favourite herb to add to your cocktails, and what do you do with it? Tag us @yourboozebuddy!