Herbs Add Fresh Touch to Cocktails
Mixologists Are Taking Herbs Out of the Kitchen & Into the Bar
Chefs have long known that fresh herbs add a special touch to food. Now bar chefs are getting in on the fun, creating new cocktails with a fresh twist.
The success of television channels like the Food Network have fueled an interest in cooking, and in using fresh ingredients in that cooking. Many restaurants have adopted a “seasonal” approach, creating and presenting dishes using the local seasonal produce. It was probably only a matter of time before bar chefs began experimenting with fresh herbs in cocktails. After all, what’s makes a better companion to a beautiful meal than a beautiful cocktail?
Essential Herbs for Cocktails
Seattle mixologist Ryan Magerian of Kathy Casey Food Studios/Liquid Kitchen gave The Seattle Times his list of essential herbs: spearmint, basil, thyme, rosemary, tarragon, sage, and cilantro. Although it sounds more like the beginning of a great pot-roast recipe, he uses all of them to add flavor and dash to cocktails. Magerian either muddles the herbs, or alternatively, suggests slapping them in your hand to release the oils.
Spearmint, of course, is an essential ingredient in the classic mojito, but also adds a light zip to a Cosmopolitan. How about sage in a margarita? Thyme is used in the classic Bellini, and also goes well with peach flavors, as does tarragon. Basil is also a good addition to the mojito, or pairs nicely with pear brandy.
Bar chefs at the SideCar Restaurant in Ventura, California, go a step further, not only using fresh herbs and fruits in the cocktails, but also creating their own infused vodkas to capture flavors not readily available. They’ve also used flowers – including geranium, roses and lavender – to create a sort of floral simple syrup they use in a Flower Garden Martini.
If you’re not quite ready to infuse your own vodka or to boil up your flower garden, no need to fret. There are people out there ready to do it for you, even outside of the now-familiar fruit infused vodkas available.
Aromatic Vodka
If you’re lucky enough to be in the right area, you can try Herb’s Aromatic Vodka. Available in Rosemary, Cilantro, Dill Leaf, and Fennel, the vodkas are infused with herb extracts. This premium vodka is currently available in a relatively small area – New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Nevada, although they’ll be expanding the distribution area.
There’s also Stirrings Essences, non-alcoholic mixers infused with florals or herbs. Even non-drinkers can enjoy these, mixed with club soda! Essences uses only natural ingredients, and is incredibly simple to use; simply mix with your favorite vodka and serve. They come in four mouth-watering varieties: Hillside Lavender, Mediterranean Rosemary, 60 Petals Rose, and Summer Basil.
So, what are you waiting for? Get herbal!
