For those of you who enjoy a good cocktail and want to try something new, here is a guide on how to incorporate herbs and spices into your drinks. It’s easy and it will give your cocktails a nice kick that will make them even more enjoyable.
How to add spices and herbs into drinks?
Here are a few popular ways how you can spice up your drinks:
- You can simply chop them up and muddle them into a cocktail shaker. Then add the rest ingredients, shake and strain.
- Infuse simple syrup with spices and herbs. The sugar balances out the additional heat and aromatics. If you want to make something refreshing, consider pairing simple syrup with fresh peppers (serrano, jalapeno). If you are making something warming of smokey, cardamom, ginger, and cinnamon are great options.
- Infuse the alcohol with spices and herbs. It works great with vodka and gin. Simply combine the desired spices with the liquor and leave the mixture overnight. Then strain the liquor and use it in cocktails.
- Garnish your drink with herbs and spices. For example, you can garnish your G&T with a sprig of rosemary or basil, or add a spicy rim to a cocktail glass.
The easiest way to spice up your drinks is by adding a few dashes of cocktail bitters. They can level up your drinks and bring some amazing flavours to the table. Check out this blog to learn how to use bitters in cocktails.
We picked out 7 spices and herbs that you should definitely be adding to your drinks. Try them out and expand the horizons of your homemade cocktails.
Cinnamon
It’s time to mix up your winter cocktail game with the addition of one spice: cinnamon. The warm, sweet flavor and aroma will have you feeling cozy in no time!
No need for complicated recipes when adding this well-loved ingredient can make anything taste better — especially during these chilly months. Just garnish by placing a stick into each drink before serving so that everyone gets an extra burst from its wonderfulness.
Black pepper
Maybe you've never thought that black pepper is a worth trying cocktail ingredient trust us, it's good. Try adding some extra heat into your gin and tonic with a few pepper seeds, or add it to your next mulled wine for a spicy kick.
Cardamom
Cardamom is a spice that plays an important role in Indian cuisine. It is earthy, tangy, and a little bit bitter. Perfect for all kinds of Indian food. But besides dishes, cardamom is widely used in cocktails and mixed drinks. It pairs well with gin, vodka, and bourbon.
Cardamom has gorgeous herbaceous yet woodsy quality, which works well in tinctures, syrups and infusions. To make a spicy syrup, combine equal parts of water and sugar with 15 grams of cardamom seeds until sugar dissolves. Then strain into a jar and use in cocktails.
Ginger
Ginger has always been a favorite of many for its warm, spiced flavor. When you're preparing to make some drinks that call out ginger-infused ingredients like lemonade or martinis, having some fresh ginger roots on hand will come in handy!
Ginger pairs well with rum, vodka, and whisky drinks.
Jalapeno
Jalapeno is widely used in cooking but it is a great cocktail ingredient as well. And it is not just about spiciness. This little green pepper also brings some nice herbal and savory notes to the table, perfectly balancing citrusy and sweet flavours in the glass.
Add it as a garnish in your next Margarita of Paloma. Muddle a few slices to deliver some extra herbal and spicy notes to gin and tonic. You can also go crazy and add a few slices into whisky soda, because, why not!
Basil
The smell of basil is so fresh and light, it's like a breath of spring in your mouth. With this herb comes the wonderful taste that can liven up any dish or drink. This delicate herb works great in gin cocktails. You can use fresh basil as a garnish or muddle a few leaves and combine them with gin and vermouth for a herbaceous Dry Martini.
Rosemary
Rosemary is not just for savory dishes; it can be used in sweet cocktails too. Not only does the spiciness give you that extra kick, but rosemary also adds an herbal note which rounds out well with some citrus based cocktails.
Try adding a sprig of rosemary into your gin and tonic for some extra herbal notes. It also works great with vodka and lemon juice.
We’ve given you some simple ways of infusing spices and herbs into your drinks that will help make those home-made concoctions a little more unique. Don't forget about experimenting with different tastes in your glass! Check out our collection of independent spirits for your best home cocktail experience!