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When you think of cocktails, you immediately think of the type of alcohol in them. Because that's the most important thing, right? Of course, a cocktail is not a cocktail without the flavor of the spirits you use, but the difference between a good cocktail and a sublime cocktail is often in the ingredients that you might unfairly label as "sideshow. Bitters, garnishes, syrups and perhaps the most underrated of them all: fresh herbs.
They are so much more than a "finishing touch" to the eye. They are a must in many cocktails. It creates flavor, gives your cocktail the needed spark of freshness and attractiveness. And the best fresh herbs, you grow them yourself. We explain why this is so, which herbs are best chosen and how to go about it, even if you don't have a large garden at your establishment.
We said it before: fresh herbs add immense value to your cocktail. In terms of looks and taste. And when you work with fresh home-made herbs, you also save money, you always have them on hand and you can be sure that your herbs are free of pesticides.
First and foremost, it goes without saying that you choose the herbs you currently use the most in your cocktails and mocktails. We think of mint and basil, but rosemary and coriander, for example, also do very well. It's a matter of finding the perfect balance for your cocktail. And while there aren't really established rules for combining your herbs in mixology, there are a few flavor combinations of ingredients that generally take each other to the next level.
These green leaves are fairly universal and easy to grow yourself. Because of its slightly sweet taste, it fits into many cocktails. ropy, sweet, sour, ... Testing is the message! You can find it for example in our Monkey Business (a tropical cocktail with Filipino lemon, bourbon and sugar), the Grapefruit Collins (a fresh and slightly bitter long drink with white grapefruit and yuzu) and of course our own Mojito (the classic with white rum, lime and lots of mint).
This herb has a distinctive, savory flavor. That's why it does best in cocktails with a base of citrus and sweet drinks. Also delicious for making a syrup!
Do you serve a lot of cocktails with light spirits, such as gin? The delicate, aromatic flavor of basil is a perfect match. Our Balicha mocktail based on tangerine and green tea? It is delicious with a few leaves of fresh basil!
You have to love it, but if you have a nose for it, cilantro can completely transform a dish or cocktail. The tropical character of this spice pairs perfectly with tequila.
Dill has a slightly sharp, sweet and grassy taste. It pairs perfectly with vodka!
The licorice-like flavor of tarragon seems a bit harder to combine, but often does well in cocktails with a base of rum. You will be surprised!
Thyme, in turn, has a rather earthy, citrusy scent that goes perfectly with vodka and gin. You can also use this herb well to make a syrup.
Delicate, subtle and citrusy: lemon verbena is ideal for cocktails with vodka or gin. Nice and light!
Like thyme, sage has an earthy flavor. However, it is also very aromatic, and therefore goes nicely with bourbon. Gin is also possible!
Okay, these aren't actually herbs, but we really can't resist mentioning these. Edible flowers give your cocktail an intense color and take it to the next level. Many of these flowers are very easy to grow yourself as well as pair perfectly with the dishes on your menu. Why not do it?
Our Pornstar Martini (with vanilla and tropical passion fruit), the surprising mocktail Tannin (with white grape, yuzu and a natural herbal distillate), and our intense Mai Tai (based on orange liqueur, dark rum and lime) look even better with such a colorful floral finish!
Your fresh herbs always need sunlight, at least six hours of sunlight a day. Depending on the type you want to grow, choose a location with direct or indirect sunlight. Keep a bit of an eye on how well your herbs are doing. Delicate green leaves droop when they are in too direct sunlight. So give them some extra love on extra hot days.
Of course, you must also have good quality soil: a well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Is your soil too heavy? Mix in some sand to improve drainage. Too sandy? Use compost to retain more moisture, pH is also important! Too acidic is not good, but neither is too alkaline. Use garden lime or sulfur to neutralize it.
You can choose to plant seeds, all the way from scratch, or buy cuttings. The best tip we can give you is to follow the advice for each type of herb. You can find these online, on the packaging, or possibly through advice from the garden center where you purchase your seeds or cuttings.
In addition to sunlight, plants obviously need a lot of water. One type of course a little more than the other, but at least on a regular basis. Especially in hot weather, you should water them every day. You can possibly use a watering system to save time.
Have you created the ideal conditions? Then chances are your herbs will grow quickly. Then it is also crucial to harvest your herbs quickly when they are fresh and flavorful and before they become woody. That by cutting off the tops of the branches. The best time of day is in the morning, after the dew has dried.
After harvesting, of course, you want your herbs to stay fresh for a long time. Rinse them briefly with cold water, pat them dry and wrap them in a slightly damp towel. Put the whole thing in a plastic bag and store in the refrigerator. This way they will stay fresh for at least several days. You can even freeze some herbs to use at a later time. An airtight box or freezer bag will get you far.
Don't have a garden or patio for your herb garden? Then you can still grow your own herbs. Through container gardening or vertical gardening, you create your own mini herb garden with less space, but just as much flavor.
Sounds impressive, but is rather simple: container gardening means that you will grow your herbs in "containers" or pots rather than in the open ground. This has the advantage that you need very little space, and you can actually put your herbs in the most convenient place. All you need is a small patio, balcony or a sturdy windowsill.
Make sure you use the right size of pot for each type of herb. Some already need a little more space than others. Of course, you also choose pots with drainage holes so that excess water can easily drain away.
Another option is vertical gardening: this way, you also plant your herbs in appropriate pots. However, you don't put them on the ground or on a windowsill, but hang them one above the other on a wall or fence. This way you make the best use of the space you have and have your herbs quickly to hand. By the way, there are a lot of inventive vertical systems that make it even easier to grow your herbs.
You would feel like growing for less. Are you already tasting the compliments from your customers? Combine your fresh herbs with our ready-to-serve cocktails and mocktails and serve nothing but the very best quality. Always consistent, always delicious.
