With some holiday parties around the corner, now is the perfect time to start planning an outdoor party. Take advantage of the greenery and flourishing blooms outside before cooler weather wins. When you are planning a soiree, you should think of serving drinks inspired by the seasonal flowers. Not only do the flowers make for a lovely topping in any mixed drink, but they can also infuse an exotic and unique flavor to the drink too.
In fact, Wine Enthusiast magazine and expert florist detailed that flower components have been a part of cocktails culture for quite a long time, and are becoming more prominent with time. In order to enhance the floral taste in your cocktails, consider adding them as you’re blending the beverage, so you get the full flavor of the flowers.
You can DIY these in 2 methods:
- Crush the flowers to release their scent: remove the stems from the flowers or herbs that you want to use. Place the petals or leaves in the base of a cocktail shaker or tall glass. Add some water (and sugar, if you want something sweet). Use a wooden spoon or muddler to press and squash the blossoms and herbs. Consider crushing them until you begin to smell their aroma. At that point, blend in the rest of the ingredients for the cocktail. Strain the mixture if desired or serve it like that.
- Make a basic floral syrup: Pour sugar and water into a sauce dish and simmer on low heat until the sugar dissolves. Add in the petals at this stage. Or you could place the herbs into a cheesecloth and place into the syrup for infusion. Turn off the heat and let the syrup cool for an hour. Use the syrup like honey to make your preferred vodka or gin sweeter.
Try this floral mix to create elegant and unique cocktails
- Lilac Soda
Two flower notes at the cost of one! Make this rum cocktail by mixing custom made lilac syrup and crème de violette, alcohol produced using violets. Lilacs are considered to taste lemony and slightly bitter, while violets are known to taste sweet — so you’re fundamentally drinking something similar to Sour Patch Kids.
- Solidified Hibiscus Margaritas
They are basically the ideal summer drink, and this one is a sure hit with a mixture of hibiscus and cranberry-citrus flavor. After mixing all the ingredients, put this cocktail in your ice cream machine (or use the blender if you don’t have an ice cream machine). You need just twenty minutes to create the perfect frostbitten cocktail you’ve been searching for. Leave the blend in the machine for about three hours to let the consistency resemble that of sorbet.
- Nasturtium Zinger
This vodka mixed drink packs an incredible punch. The normal, spicy nasturtiums flavor blended with the lemon zest basic syrup will make your lips pucker. A dash of St. Germain, a liqueur produced using elderflowers, make this drink have a smooth, sweet taste that will keep you (and your visitors) returning for more.
- Chamomile Honey and Whiskey
This is the perfect drink for your dinner party, because of the ability of chamomile to help you sleep better and soothe upset stomachs. All you need for this drink is chamomile teabags, or you can brew chamomile flowers itself in hot water. Just add honey to make a fresh and sweet syrup.
- Brilliant Jasmine Martini
This sweet, vodka-based mixed drink will send you on a thrill ride on a magic carpet. The basic ingredients — vodka, honey, and jasmine — turn the drink into a mar-tea-ni i.e. spiked iced tea.
Here are some examples of floral cocktails recipe:
- The Aviation
This great cocktail, which, as per The Huffington Post, was first made at the Hotel Wallick in Times Square, gets its blue tone from violet alcohol. To come up with one yourself, try this:
- Put ice cubes inside a cocktail shaker
- Pour in gin (2 oz.) and maraschino alcohol (3/8 oz.). Add lemon juice (3/4 oz.) and crème de violette (3/8 oz.).
- Cover the shaker and shake everything together until they’re well mixed.
- Strain into a wine glass and place a marasca cherry on top as a garnish.
The recipe can serve 8 people, so there’s enough to go around.
- Calamity Jane
This is a unique martini that contains mild lavender flavor and modern taste of elderflower to mellow harsh whiskey. To make it:
- Pour white whiskey (2 oz.) into a shaker to serve as the base for this drink.
- Add elderflower alcohol (1/4 oz.) and some lavender alcohol.
- Mix everything in the cocktail shaker. Strain into glasses containing ice and sprinkle lavender petals in the glasses for a beautiful garnish.
- Shining Red Rose
This rich cocktail originates from Martha Stewart, and just requires:
- Pouring sweet sparkling red wine into a wine glass.
- Topping with some rose water and diced strawberries.
- Juniper Jump
This cocktail features the crisp, cooling taste of cucumber and sweetness of hibiscus. To make it:
- Pour in gin (2 oz.) and hibiscus liqueur (1/2 oz.) into a shaker.
- Add some soda and chopped cucumber.
- Shake everything together and let the cucumber infuse.
- Strain the mixture into a martini glass and add one cucumber slice on top.
- Rhubarb and Rose Ramos Gin Fizz
This smooth, bubbly aperitif is genuinely a dessert in a glass. You can make your own hibiscus syrup:
- Pour 1 cup of sugar and 2 cups of water into a pot and place on low heat
- Chop rhubarb stalks into 1-inch pieces, place them in cheesecloth and place inside the pot. Leave to infuse for half an hour.
- Store the syrup in the refrigerator in a closed bottle.
- Once cooled, mix the syrup (2 oz.) with lemon juice (1/2 oz.), London dry gin (1 oz.), lime (1/2 oz.), 1 egg white and heavy cream (1 oz.) in a cocktail shaker for about 30 seconds.
- Only a drop or two of rosewater is sufficient to add a mild floral flavor.
- Add ice to the shaker, mix for an additional 30 seconds, and strain into a tall glass. Top with some soda. Note that this recipe serves just one!
These floral cocktails are easy to make, just check the ingredients that you have in your garden and pantry. Have fun surprising your guests with new and unique flavors.
