Who doesn’t love a refreshing cocktail after a long day at work? For some people, a sipping a favorite cocktail while lounging on the porch is a great way to unwind. For others, experimenting and creating new cocktail recipes is practically an art form!
For amateur mixologists, pricey herbs can be an obstacle to the hobby. You might find yourself purchasing several different herbs to use in your recipes, only to feel dismayed when they wilt before you can use them all. Or, you want to plan a cocktail party, but buying four or five different herbs can be a bit expensive.
One solution is to grow your own herbs in your home garden. Now you can snip off just the amount of leaves that you need, while the plant continues to grow and provide a flavorful touch to future recipes. You can’t get much fresher than that!
Mint. If you grow just one herb for use in cocktails, this would be the one. This plant can be quite prolific, so grow it in containers unless you’re prepared to have an abundance of mint everywhere! Use it in mint juleps, mojitos, or your own original recipes.
Rosemary. Rosemary grows well in dry climates, making it a terrific choice for our sunny environment. The rich, woodsy flavor adds an interesting touch to gin and vodka, or whiskey sours.
Basil. Basil has enjoyed a surge in popularity in recent years, and is featured in many summer cocktail recipes. Basil does need plenty of water and sunlight, so place your plants in a sunny spot and remember to irrigate it regularly. When you’re ready to use basil in a recipe, take leaves from the top of a plant so that healthy growth will continue.
Sage. This earthy herb carries a strong, distinct flavor, so use it very sparingly. It’s easy to grow and requires very little care, so long as the soil is well drained. (Tip: Some people are very sensitive to the overpowering taste of sage, so you might want to ask guests how they feel about it before mixing leaves into a drink).
Lavender. Lavender grows well in containers, making it another good choice for those with less garden space. It does require regular watering, but make sure your container drains well. As with sage, a little goes a long way, but lavender can be great fun for mixologists who love to experiment. It is also great for virgin Lavender Lemonade!
As always, contact us or stop by our nursery if you have questions about growing herbs. We’ll be happy to help!
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