Pinecrest Gardens: How To Grow Your Own Cocktails Recap & Recipes

From Pinecrest Gardens:

March 1, 2021

In mid February we hosted our first Garden to Glass cocktail class. If you missed it, we hope to plan another for the summer time, and if you attended, thank you for sharing a beautiful and fun evening with us.

In the class, I worked with a bartender named David (@mixingwithdavid) to create some delicious and fresh cocktails. David is a bar consultant and mixologist locally who loves to use fresh ingredients, just as as I do. Together we taught bartending tools, cocktail techniques, and gardening tips. Today, I'll be sharing some of those garden to glass techniques and ideas for your next cocktail.

When we think of cocktails, we typically think of liquor first, garnishes and flavoring second. But, alcohol in all of it's forms IS PLANTS. Think about your favorite drink and then think about where it came from. Some quick examples: Tequila- from agave, Rum- from sugar cane, Wine- from grapes, Whiskeys- from grasses and rye, Beer- from hops and grains, Gin- from juniper and a host of spices; the list goes on (is there anything that plants CAN'T do?!). So, when I say garden to glass, I'm speaking about the flavoring and additions to a cocktail, but what I really want to shed light on is the relationship between plants, people and drinks. We have a long, delicious history of making alcohol from plants, and then adding plants back into our alcohol to make them even better.

There are so many herbs, flowers and fruits that you can use in a cocktail, and most of them we are able to grow in south Florida. The phrase "garden to glass" simply means including these freshly picked garden treasures to your beverage. They can be alcoholic or nonalcoholic, either way including fresh ingredients makes changes the drinking experience.

David, our mixologist setting up for the evening.

Examples of commonly used garden items in cocktails are rosemary, lavender, mint, elderflower, cucumber, pineapple, basil, peppers, thyme, and so much more. Really, anything in your garden can be used in a cocktail and the best way to start is to choose flavors you already enjoy. Short on space? Not to worry, many herbs can be grown in small containers both indoors or outdoors. In south Florida, most of our herbs do best during the winter. So, during the summer months, you could move them indoors to a bright room or windowsill and enjoy fresh flavors year round. Alternatively, you can even work with dried ingredients, like dried oranges and preserved herbs.

Maybe you're not ready to try your hand at gardening, but you still want to add some fresh twists to your cocktails. Try these recipes to help preserve your fresh or dried materials and use them in your drinks:

Make an infusion: An infusion is created by adding a flavor or a combination of flavors to a base spirit. In shorter terms, it's putting herbs into your alcohol and letting letting it steep to soak up flavors. Infusions are best done with light spirits like vodka, gin or rum, but it will work with any alcohol. My favorites are lavender infused gin, and jalapeno infused tequilas. How to infuse:

Ingredients: Herbs, spices or fruits

Alcohol of choice

Airtight jar (mason or infusion jar, or liquor bottle works)

Some sort of strainer such as a cheesecloth or metal strainer.

To make, simply wash your herbs and place into your container. Pour liquor over herbs, completely covering. I use 2-3 tablespoons or a few sprigs per bottle (depending on how strong I want the infusion). Then, seal the container and place in a cool, dark place, but not your fridge. Let it sit for 2-3 days, shaking every so often. The longer you leave it to sit, the stronger the flavor will be. Taste test it and strain when you've achieved your desired flavor. Then store as you would any other liquor. Easy!

infographic on infusions from www.vinepair.com

Simple Syrups are another great way to use garden materials in your beverages. Without committing to a full bottle of infusions, you can keep an infused simple syrup to play around with flavors. Also, you can use simple syrups in many recipes like lemonades, cakes, popsicles, and so much more. We're not limited to cocktails here (plants belong in everything, in my personal opinion)!

Make an infused simple syrup: A simple syrup is achieved by warming 1 part sugar, and 1 part water to a simmer. To infuse a simple syrup, add in your flavoring of choice (such as basil, for example). 1-3 tablespoons is a good amount per batch. A "batch" would be 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water. Your simple syrups should be kept in a sealed container and will keep in the fridge for up to a month. To preserve them a bit longer, you could add an ounce of liquor (like vodka) to help it keep. I love to make a lavender infused simple syrup- it's easy and lovely in both cocktails and lemonade.

Ingredients: Herbs, spices or fruits of choice

1 cup white sugar

1 cup water

Add all ingredients to a pot, and simmer on stove until sugar dissolves, stirring frequently. Allow the flavors to cool and steep for an hour or so, and then add to a jar with a lid to store.

Use herbs as a garnish: The easiest way to add fresh ingredients to you drinks is by garnishing them. Adding a sprig of rosemary or an edible flower to the top of you drink will give it a pop of color and aromatic freshness. As you sip, your nose will encounter the garnish, changing the taste, without adding a dramatic flavor profile. Dip your toe into the world of garnishing! Anything can be a garnish, as long as it's not poisonous.

Hopefully you've gathered some inspiration to use fresh ingredients in your cocktails here. I encourage you to be curious with your drinks and try new things. It's fun, and it will give your cocktails (or mocktails) an elevated, fancy feeling. We all deserve to feel fancy! I hope to see you at the next garden to class workshop at the garden, so we can sip and learn more delicious concoctions together.

Our next curious Gardner workshops include learning tablescapes, papermaking and even a soap making class. Learn more about our upcoming workshops here

Happy Digging!

This press release was produced by the Pinecrest Gardens. The views expressed are the author's own.