Hitting Mid-March means most of us are (finally) emerging from hibernation mode, blinking in the springtime sun and banishing the winter blues. Some of us are (already) making plans for our gardens and garden cocktail parties. Below our team walks through some of the best cocktail garnishes you can grow in an oh-so-cute garden box or your own backyard. Grow a cocktail garden with us this summer and share photos on social media using #thatchersorganic.
The Garnish: Mint
Mint is the most classic of all cocktail garnishes. It goes well with everything from mojitos to mules. It also goes well with our beet-based cocktail recipe, Beet It! Make sure you prune mint often to make sure it doesn’t overtake your cocktail garden. It is fast-growing!
The Cocktail: Beet it!
1.5 oz Thatcher’s Organic Vodka
.75 oz Thatcher’s Organic Blood Orange Liqueur
1 oz beet juice
.5 oz agave syrup
.5 oz lemon juice
2 oz dry sparkling wine
Mint sprig, garnish
Dehydrated orange wheel, garnish
In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine Thatcher’s Organic Vodka, Thatcher’s Blood Orange Liqueur, beet juice, agave syrup, and lemon juice until chilled. Strain into a highball glass with fresh ice. Top with sparkling wine and garnish with mint sprig and dehydrated orange.
The Garnish: Rosemary
A spring of rosemary adds elegance to the simplest of cocktails. And it smells great too. This is our favorite herb to garnish smoked cocktails, and it’s a simple kitchen houseplant to maintain.
The Cocktail: Garden Spritz
1.5 oz Thatcher’s Organic Elderflower Liqueur
2 oz dry sparkling wine
2 oz sparkling water
Rosemary sprig, garnish
Combine all ingredients in a glass over ice. Stir gently. Garnish with rosemary sprig.
The Garnish: Strawberries
Strawberries are one of the most rewarding fruits to grow if you have both space and time. Muddle or use slices as an attractive garnish.
The Cocktail: Strawberry Smash
5 ripe strawberries, leafy ends removed
5 fresh basil leaves
1 medium lemon, juiced (plus more for garnish)
Drizzle honey
1.5 oz Thatcher’s Organic Vodka
Club soda
Lemon slices, garnish
Strawberry slices, garnish
In a mixing glass, thoroughly muddle strawberries with the basil. Squeeze in the juice of one lemon and a drizzle of honey. Stir in Thatcher’s Organic Vodka. Fill a Collins glass with ice and pour your mixture into the glass. Top it off with club soda. Mix by pouring the drink back into your mixing glass, then back into your drinking glass. Garnish with lemon round and a strawberry slice.
See the full recipe and instructions here.
The Garnish: Thyme
Thyme can be muddled, but also used as a unique garnish. It’s a hardy perennial that, like rosemary, does wonderfully in either a garden plot or a small container indoors.
The Cocktail: Roll in the Hay
2 oz Thatcher’s Organic Vodka
2 oz pink grapefruit juice freshly squeezed, if possible
.75 oz Thatcher’s Organic Elderflower Liqueur
2 sprigs of fresh thyme
Dry rosé champagne for topping
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine Thatcher’s Organic Vodka, grapefruit juice, Thatcher’s Organic Elderflower Liqueur, and 1 sprig of thyme. Shake until very chilled, about 30 seconds and double strain (through a fine mesh strainer) into a coupe glass. Top with rosé champagne. Garnish drink with a sprig of thyme.
See the full recipe and instructions here.
Some of our other favorite cocktail garden garnishes and ingredients are:
Herbs
– Sage
– Lavender
– Basil
– Tarragon
– Dill
– Lemongrass
Fruits & Vegetables
– Cucumbers
– Blackberries
– Raspberries
– Tomatoes
– Carrots
Edible Flowers
– Nasturtiums
– Elderflowers (we’re big fans)
– Pansies
Share a photo of your cocktail garden garnishes using #thatchersorganic on social media. Find Thatcher’s Organic Artisan Spirits at a store near you. Join our mailing list to stay up to date with the latest from Thatcher’s. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date.
