Summer has unofficially started, gardens are growing, temperatures are climbing, and the time to begin reaping the benefits of your planted fruits and veggies is in full-swing.  If you are a cocktail lover like I am, this time of year really excites you because there are lots of fresh fruits, veggies, and herbs to include in all of your libations.  Whether it’s lilac, rosemary, basil, cucumber, celery…the list goes on and on of ingredients you can plant to make your cocktails really stand out.  And, what’s better than using your green thumb to impress guests with tasty cocktails?  The feeling is rewarding!  Let’s dive in to some fantastic garden cocktails to appease your spring and summer taste buds.

The Lilac Lemon Drop Martini

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 ounces vodka
• 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 ounce fresh lilac simple syrup
• Garnish: lemon twist
• Optional: sugar (for rimming)

Directions for simple syrup:

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 cups water
• 4 cups fresh lilac florets
• Preparing the syrup

Combine the sugar and water in a saucepan on the stove over medium heat, stirring constantly until all of the sugar is dissolved. Bring to a slow boil. Add lilac florets, stir gently, and cover. Reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.

Directions for cocktail: Rim your cocktail glass with sugar.  Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake well.  Strain into cocktail glass and garnish with a lemon twist.

Hang Thyme

Ingredients:

• 5 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 oz. vodka
• 1 oz. fresh lime juice
• 1 oz. simple syrup

Directions:  Muddle 4 of the thyme sprigs in a cocktail shaker, add ice, and the rest of the ingredients.  Shake and strain into a rocks glass with ice.

Red Bell Pepper Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice
• 2 basil leaves
• 5 chopped seedless grapes
• 1 slice red bell pepper, about 1? thick
• 2 oz. vodka
• 3/4 oz. Crème Yvette
• 1/4 oz. simple syrup

Directions: In a cocktail shaker, muddle the lemon juice, basil, and bell pepper.  Then add the vodka, Crème Yvette, and simple syrup.  Stir and strain into an old-fashioned glass over a big iced cube.

Carrot Daiquiri

Ingredients:

• 1¾ oz. white rum
• 1 oz. carrot juice
• ¾ oz. falernum
• ½ oz. fresh lime juice
• ¼ oz. rich simple syrup (2:1), or to taste
• One cup crushed ice
• Glass: hurricane
• Garnish: mint sprigs dusted with turmeric

Directions: Combine all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.  Pour in a glass and enjoy!

Hope you enjoy these delicious garden cocktails!

Cheers,

Danyelle