If you browse the thousands of cocktail recipes available you'll see numerous possibilities for garden fresh mixers and garnishes. If you enjoy gardening anyway, there's no reason not to design a portion of your plantings around your drinking preferences. I've added many plants to my gardens simply because I want to mix with them, because I want a higher yield for both kitchen and bar use, or for juicier, more aromatic or faster growing varieties. Planting a Bartender's Garden is just one more way to customize your drinking experience.
Here are a few suggestions of plants you may want to consider adding to your garden which will enhance your cocktails and homemade spirit infusions and syrups. If you have a favorite drink or flavor, add those plants to the list.
Fruits & Vegetables: garnishes, fresh juices and flavored infusions
- Apple - fresh cider (Hot Apple Pie), Spring Fever
- Blueberriy - Berry Patch, Jamaican Cobbler
- Cherry - garnish, juice
- Grapes - Green Grape Glacier
- Kiwi - Kiwi Martini
- Raspberry - Raspberry Caipirinha
- Strawberry - Strawberry Daiquiri, Strawberry Julius
- Watermelon - Watermelon-infused Vodka, Watermelon Wave
- Tomato - choose medium sized, juicy varieties for a Bloody Mary, Bloody Maria, etc.
- Carrot - juice for a lighter substitute to tomato
- Cucumber - VodkHERB Martini
- Peppers - chili, jalapeno, habanero for garnishes, infusions
- If you live in a warm zone try these and consider yourself lucky:
- Grapefruit - Greyhound, Paloma
- Lemon - Meyer are best, ie. fresh juices, garnishes
- Lime - fresh juices, garnishes
- Mango - Mango Julius, Voodoo Priestess
- Orange - fresh juice, garnishes
- Peach - Peach Margarita, Planetary Punch
- Pomegranate - Pomegranate Margarita, Herb's Pomegranate Punch
Herbs: perfect for custom spirit infusions as well as garnishes
- Basil - Fennel Lemon Crunch, Garlic and Basil Infused Vodka
- Chamomile - Tea Tini
- Dill - Garden Ale
- Fennel - Fennel Lemon Crunch
- Ginger - Ginger Snap Martini, Ginger Tea
- Jasmine - Sparkling Jasmine Iced Tea
- Lemon Balm or Lemon Verbena - Tea Tini
- Lemongrass - Lemongrass-Ginger infused tequila
- Lavender - Lavender Rosemary infused vodka
- Mint - try different varieties but beware that it is notorious for taking over a garden so plant in a controlled space or container, arguably the most popular herb used in many drinks most famous being the Mint Julep and Mojito
- Rosemary - Vanilla Rose
- Sage - Sage Tea
- Tarragon - Bourbon Street Jump
- Thyme - VodkaHerbitan
Keep in mind when you are choosing plants what hardiness zone you are in and what grows best in your type of soil. For year-round freshness, plant a container garden and bring the pots in when the temperature drops.
Also, think about edible flowers for garnishes, such as in this Le Bissap Martini. Be sure when buying flower bedding plants (pansies, geraniums, etc.) that they are either organic or pesticide and growth hormone free if you are going to use them in food or drinks, many are not.
