Herbs for cocktails: the tastiest drinks

Cocktails with herbs are becoming more and more popular - you can find out which herbs are particularly suitable for cocktails in our article.

For a long time, cocktails were primarily thought of as sweet, fruity drinks. In the meantime, however, the delicious long drinks offer significantly more flavors. Herbal cocktails in particular have enjoyed increasing popularity in recent years and come up with playful aromas and surprising taste experiences. So it's no wonder that in addition to classic cocktail herbs such as mint, you can also increasingly find unusual herbs in many bars. The delicious herbal cocktail recipes can be wonderfully imitated at home and ensure astonished looks. You can find out here which garden herbs should not be missing from any cocktail evening.

1. Cocktails with mint

Mint (Mentha) in cocktails is probably the best-known use of a culinary herb in the manufacture of beverages. Cocktails with mint, such as the mojito or the caipirinha, are classics at the counter and are still very popular. The fresh, menthol-like taste goes particularly well with both sweet and acidic drinks. The combination of mint with citrus fruits is particularly popular, but also non-alcoholic cocktails with sweet elderflower syrup. If Grow mint yourself you are spoiled for choice, as there are almost 600 different variations known. But which mint is suitable for cocktails? Spearmint is a classic when preparing cocktails (Mentha spicata) or the mojito mint (Mentha nemerosa), the taste of which is slightly milder. But also cocktails with peppermint (Mentha × piperita) are becoming more and more popular, even if the plant has a much sharper menthol taste.

tip: The cocktail with mint is particularly exciting if you resort to exotic varieties: pineapple mint (Mentha rotundifolia variegata) convinces with its fruity aroma and orange mint (Mentha piperita var. citrata) scores with a playful citrus note.

2. Cocktails with basil

basil (Ocimum basilicum) are traditionally only known to many as a herb in Italian cuisine. In recent years, however, the Mediterranean spice has also made it into the glass: cocktails with basil have been popular ever since Invention of the gin basil or basil smash (a cocktail made from gin, lemon juice and basil) growing in popularity. The flowery, spicy and grassy taste harmonizes wonderfully with acidity, which is why basil is mainly combined with citrus fruits. But basil also develops a special note with fruit or strawberries. In addition, fresh basil is considered to be extremely decorative in a cocktail - but you should make sure that that you mix the basil into the drink as fresh as possible, otherwise the leaves will brown quickly will.

Tip: Fresh herbs are not only more decorative in cocktails, they also often develop their aroma better. The herb cocktail is particularly tasty when you use fresh herbs from the garden. Fortunately, herbs are relatively easy to grow, so you can grow them not only in the garden, but also on the balcony or on the windowsill. A growing kit like ours is recommended for new herb lovers Plantura herb growing kit, because this contains all the necessary things for an easy start in the herb cultivation and offers a diverse selection of aromatic herbs for cocktails.

3. Cocktails with rosemary

The fragrant leaves and twigs of the herbaceous rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) are known to most as a spice for hearty meat and potato dishes. Thanks to its unique taste, the plant is now one of the most popular herbs - so it's no wonder that many Grow rosemary in your own garden. But did you know that rosemary can also be used in cocktails? In fact, rosemary has been an important ingredient in traditional herbal liqueurs for centuries, but recently it has also been used fresh. Cocktails with rosemary and gin are particularly popular, with the resinous-bitter, ethereal fragrance particularly accentuating. The rosemary cocktail also cuts a fine figure without alcohol and is optionally combined with citrus notes, but also with fruity juices, for example with peach. But the plant can not only score with taste - in a cocktail, rosemary with its woody branches is an extremely decorative sight.

tip: Rosemary in particular, but also some other herbs on this list, are also suitable as Herbs for grilling. With their cultivation you can season your food as well as prepare the cold drinks served with it.

4. Cocktails with lemon balm

With its aromatic and fresh scent is the Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) perfectly suitable for use in delicious cocktails. The aromatic and easy-care herb is known to give drinks and food a special touch and can be wonderfully combined. Lemon balm in cocktails is often used with other citrus flavors, for example with lime and lemon. A variation of the mojito, for example, is popular as a lemon balm cocktail. But also mixed with simple sparkling water and ice, lemon balm is a convincing refreshing summer drink.

5. Cocktails with sage

sage (Salvia) is particularly known for its beneficial effects as a medicinal plant, but is also often used to flavor Mediterranean cuisine. The distinctive, slightly bitter aroma of sage does not only unfold in dishes and teas - sage can also convince in cocktails. So that the drink does not become too bitter, it is ideal for sage cocktails, a fruity-sweet one Opponents to choose: pear, raspberry or melon aroma becomes pleasurable due to the taste of the sage rounded. The combination of sage with gin, lemon juice and vanilla syrup is also very popular.

6. Cocktails with thyme

As a Mediterranean medicinal and culinary herb can be found thyme in almost every garden. A fresh, aromatic tone with a slightly bitter note makes up the unmistakable taste of thyme. Cocktails with thyme therefore harmonize particularly well with fruity and berry notes. Raspberries and blackberries are therefore popular additives to thyme in cocktails. But the sweet and sour taste of apples or rhubarb can also be combined well with thyme. In addition to the classic garden thyme, lemon thyme is also suitable (Thymus x citrodorus) for mixing cocktails: The slightly floral and lemon-like scent is ideal for preparing cocktails.

7. Cocktails with lavender

The purple flowers of the Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) are particularly decorative and give off an extremely pleasant scent. So it's no wonder that lavender is also popular in the preparation of cocktails: Cocktails with lavender are not only beautiful to look at, but also convince with theirs Taste. The strongly perfumed, gently soapy note of lavender harmonizes best with elegant, adult flavors such as bitter orange or tonic. But lavender also goes well with dry sparkling wine.

8. Lemongrass cocktails

With its fresh, piquant note, the lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) a popular herb in Asian cuisine. The fresh taste paired with the relatively simple Cultivation of lemongrass makes the herb a welcome guest in every garden. Lemongrass also cuts a fine figure in cocktails: the fresh cabbage can be wonderfully mixed with a variety of other ingredients. In particular, tart flavors such as tonic water, gin and ginger are popular in combination with lemongrass, but it can be used in fruity-sweet cocktails. A lemongrass stalk is also ideal as an environmentally friendly stir stick.

9. Cocktails with woodruff

May punch used to be with Woodruff (Galium odoratum) an absolute classic, today the herb is rarely found in drinks. It's actually a shame, because Waldmeister continues to impress with its unique aroma, which is reminiscent of a touch of forest and vanilla. Classically, the sweet taste of the woodruff is often combined with strawberries, lemon aromas or sparkling wine, but also with the tart notes of whiskey, gin or brandy.

Attention: Woodruff contains the ingredient coumarin, which is toxic to the liver. However, high doses of woodruff must be eaten in order to have a harmful effect - adults can therefore enjoy the herb in household-typical amounts with peace of mind. Only in children is the consumption of real woodruff not recommended.

10. Cocktails with tarragon

With its strong flavor it will tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) traditionally used to refine fish and poultry dishes. The fine aniseed taste with spicy and bittersweet aromas is also ideal for surprising cocktail creations: especially in Combined with fruity-sweet aromas such as kiwi or cherry, the tart aroma of tarragon develops into a fantastic one Taste experience. But the combination with fresh, sweet citrus aromas and gin also makes the herb an enrichment for every cocktail evening.

Tip: When using herbs in cocktails, you should always pay attention to organic quality in order to prevent the herbs from being contaminated with pesticide and fertilizer residues. It is even better to grow the herbs in your own garden. Here you can choose a peat-free organic herb soil, for example the Plantura organic herb and seed compost, which optimally supply herbs without having to resort to chemical additives or mineral fertilizers.

So that the herbs for cocktails are particularly aromatic, the right harvest time is crucial. You can find out what you need to consider in our article on the subject Harvest herbs.