5 cocktails inspired by botanics

Cocktails continue to be a favoured weekend tipple by many, and here at wild about flowers we love discovering new combinations to try.

Despite there being a plethora of cocktail bars to enjoy on our doorsteps, you don't always have to venture out the home to enjoy your favourite drinks.

If you have visited our flower shop in Keynsham, you may have noticed there's a gentle nod to our love of cocktails where we have a 1930's cocktail bar filled with the staple cocktail essentials to enjoy drinking at home.

To combine our love of the outdoors and glamorous drinks we love to look for cocktails that incorporate our favourite herbs or even edible flowers!

We've been enjoying experimenting in our homes with our favourite spirits and finishing with different garnishes.

With the summer in full swing, we've started some summer planting in our own gardens. A herb garden full of garnishes for cooking and cocktails is a summer household essential.

We round out some of our most enjoyed combinations that are delicious to drink and look the part too.

Lavender Martini

Ingredients

• 30ml crème de violette

• 60ml gin

• 7.5ml ginger liqueur

• 7ml St. Germain

• 1 dash lavender bitters

Method

1. Chill a martini glass for serving

2. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker

3. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds

4. Pour into your martini glass using a cocktail strainer

5. Garnish with lavender sprigs to serve

Rosemary Gin Fizz

Ingredients

• 60ml gin

• 20ml rosemary syrup

• 15ml lemon

• 20ml egg white

Method

1. Shake all the ingredients including the egg

2. Add some ice and shake again

3. Strain into a chilled fizz glass

4. Top up with soda water

5. Garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig

A Sweet Thyme

Ingredients

• Fresh thyme

• Vodka

• Lime

• Syrup

• Sugar

• Soda

Method

1. Run the lemon wedge along the outer edge of a high ball glass and coat with sugar and add some ice

2. In a cocktail shaker, squeeze the remaining lemon wedges and add the syrup

3. Add the vodka, ice and shake well

4. Stir in the soda

5. Strain the drink into the ready and waiting high ball glass

6. Garnish with the fresh thyme sprig and a lemon wedge if desired

Blueberry Basil Margarita

Ingredients

• 150g blueberries

• 100ml tequila

• 1 tsp triple sec

• Lime Juice

• Basil leaves and fresh lime wedges

• Salt

Method

1. Prepare a margarita glass by running the wedge of lime around the outer edge and dip into some fresh salt

2. Put the blueberries (these can be fresh or frozen), some basil leaves and lime juice into a cocktail shaker stirring with a spoon

3. Use your spoon to press on the blueberries, extracting as much juice as possible

4. Put the tequila, triple sec, and blueberry juice into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well

5. Strain the cocktail into your prepared glass and serve with fresh basil and a lime wedge as your chosen garnish

Classic Mint Mojito

Ingredients

• Lime

• Sugar

• Fresh mint

• White rum

• Soda

Method

1. Add the fresh juice from a lime, 1 teaspoon of sugar and mint leaves into your cocktail shaker

2. Mix lightly with a cocktail spoon

3. Fill a short tumbler glass with 3/4 ice

4. Add your chosen measure of rum

5. Garnish with fresh mint, a lime wedge and top with soda