5 Of The Best Summer Cocktail Recipes (With Herb Garnishes)

Summer is here and that means it's cocktail drinking (and herb growing) weather! Want to spice up your cocktail vibe with the perfect summer cocktail recipes that include herb garnishes? Here are 5 of our favourites, curated just for you!

Blackberry & Thyme Daiquiri

Serving size: 1 drink

Ingredients

• 2 ounces aged rum
• 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1/2 ounce simple syrup
• 3-6 blackberries
• 4 springs of Thyme

Instructions

1. Muddle blackberries, then mix ingredients except thyme.
2. Garnish with thyme and enjoy.

Rosemary & Gin Grapefruit Cocktail

Cooling time: 1 hour
Serving size: 2 drinks

Ingredients

For the rosemary Simple Syrup:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 2 large sprigs of fresh rosemary

For the Rosemary & Gin Grapefruit Cocktail:

• 2 ounces gin
• 3 ounces ruby red grapefruit juice
• 1 ounce rosemary simple syrup (more if you want it a little sweeter)

Instructions

For the rosemary simple syrup:

1. Combine the simple syrup ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
2. Heat to a boil, then allow to simmer until the sugar has dissolved, about a minute or two.
3. Remove pan from heat. Allow the mixture to cool completely.
4. Remove and discard the rosemary stems before serving.

For the Rosemary & Gin Grapefruit Cocktail:

1. Combine cocktail ingredients in a shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake vigorously for a few seconds until everything is combined.
3. Strain into ice filled glasses.
4. Garnish with grapefruit wedges and rosemary springs.

Notes

The rosemary simple syrup can be made ahead of time. Simply transfer it to an airtight container with a lid and refrigerate. The simple syrup should keep for a month at most.

Gin Basil Smash

Serving size: 1 drink

Ingredients

• 50mL gin
• 20mL fresh lemon juice
• 20mL honey syrup
• 8 basil leaves

Instructions

1. Muddle 6 basil leaves into a cocktail shaker.
2. Add ice, gin, lemon juice and honey syrup and shake well.
3. Pour into any glass and add basil leaves to garnish.

Smoky Oaxacan Mezcal & Basil Cocktail

Serving size: 1 drink

Ingredients

• 3 lime wedges
• 5 basil leaves
• 2 ounces Mezcal
• 1.5 ounces lime juice
• 1.5 ounces agave syrup
• Bacon salt for the rim of the glass
• Ice

Instructions

1. Add lime wedges and basil to the shaker. Muddle.
2. Add Mezcal, lime juice, agave, and ice. Shake well.
3. Wet the rim of an old fashioned glass with a lime wedge and roll the rim in the bacon salt.
4. Add ice to the glass, then pour in the cocktail. Garnish with a lime wedge and basil leaves. Serve.

Lemon Whiskey Smash (With Mint)

Serving size: 1 drink

Ingredients

• 3 lemon wedges
• 2 ounces bourbon or rye
• 3/4 ounce simple syrup
• 5 mint leaves
• Garnish: mint sprig and lemon halves or lemon wheel

Instructions

1. Muddle the lemon wedges in a shaker.
2. Add bourbon, simple syrup, mint leaves and ice, and shake until well-chilled.
3. Double-strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
4. Garnish with a mint sprig and lemon halves.

Note:
Firmly slap the mint sprig on the back of your hand before garnishing. This releases the oils to make the mint more aromatic.

Now you're ready to entertain with some incredible summer cocktails with gorgeous garnishes (or just have a fabulous night in by yourself)...but you need a beautiful home to grow your cocktail garnish herbs in? Check out our range of CUP O HERB Self-watering Pots (including Basil, pictured below) via our online store today!

When it comes to growing herbs in CUP O FLORA pots, here are our recommendations...

• Basil: In soil, can be grown from seed.
• Mint: In soil or water, can also grow in a propagation station (Proppi).
• Oregano: In soil, best to grow from a seedling.