Edible Gardens
Gardening Guides
Top Off Your Cocktails With Homegrown Garnishes
Find out how and where to grow popular beverage adornments such as citrus, mint, strawberries and more
It’s become standard practice to look to your edible garden for garnishes for everything from soups to desserts, but that same garden may also be a great source for garnishes when your party plans lean more toward drinks than dinner. Although growing and preserving olives and pickled onions might be a reach, a surprising number of popular garnishes are from plants that are fairly easy to grow, such as citrus, mint and strawberries. And if you do want to challenge yourself, give celery a whirl or even try your hand at making maraschino cherries.
Some garnishes, such as a cherry in a Manhattan, are considered essential, but feel free to create your own variations as well.
Some garnishes, such as a cherry in a Manhattan, are considered essential, but feel free to create your own variations as well.
Citrus
Lemons, limes and oranges are the essential accompaniment to a range of classic cocktails, from fruity tropical drinks to hot libations for cold winter nights.
Check out the information below for general citrus-growing instructions and what fruit goes best with each drink. You can also often substitute one citrus fruit for another if, for example, your orange tree hasn’t quite begun producing, while your lemon tree is overloaded.
Lemons. A lemon peel twist is the standard finishing touch for a martini, Sazerac or French 75 (include a cherry as well). Use a lemon slice to finish off a gin and tonic, Ramos gin fizz, sidecar or Tom Collins.
Lemons, limes and oranges are the essential accompaniment to a range of classic cocktails, from fruity tropical drinks to hot libations for cold winter nights.
Check out the information below for general citrus-growing instructions and what fruit goes best with each drink. You can also often substitute one citrus fruit for another if, for example, your orange tree hasn’t quite begun producing, while your lemon tree is overloaded.
Lemons. A lemon peel twist is the standard finishing touch for a martini, Sazerac or French 75 (include a cherry as well). Use a lemon slice to finish off a gin and tonic, Ramos gin fizz, sidecar or Tom Collins.
Limes. If you’ve always wondered what to do with a lime, wonder no more. Add a wedge to a gin and tonic, Moscow mule, Cuba libre, mai tai or, in honor of the recent Olympic Games, a caipirinha. A slice of lime can also finish off a daiquiri, margarita or mojito.
Oranges. Orange peel twists are standard toppers for a boulevardier, cosmopolitan and Negroni, while a slice of orange will mark the glass of a sidecar, Tom Collins, whisky sour or an old-fashioned.
How to grow citrus. Lemons, limes and oranges are surprisingly easygoing. They like sun, a bit of shelter and regular water (but not too much). Prune to shape them and remove dead branches, but otherwise let them be. They’re even fairly free of diseases and pests. Plus, the fragrance is wonderful, and the fruit can stay on the tree for some time.
That said, they aren’t fond of cold weather. If you want one as a permanent garden fixture, you’ll need to live in a warm-winter climate. If you grow a dwarf variety in a pot, though, you can move it out of the elements to get it through the winter months.
Find out more about growing citrus
How to grow citrus. Lemons, limes and oranges are surprisingly easygoing. They like sun, a bit of shelter and regular water (but not too much). Prune to shape them and remove dead branches, but otherwise let them be. They’re even fairly free of diseases and pests. Plus, the fragrance is wonderful, and the fruit can stay on the tree for some time.
That said, they aren’t fond of cold weather. If you want one as a permanent garden fixture, you’ll need to live in a warm-winter climate. If you grow a dwarf variety in a pot, though, you can move it out of the elements to get it through the winter months.
Find out more about growing citrus
Mint
For a mai tai, mint julep, mojito or planter’s punch, a few sprigs of mint are the perfect finishing touch. Mint is also easy to grow, so it’s a great choice for even beginning gardeners.
If you have a place in full sun to partial shade (in regions with hot summers) for a 12-inch-wide or larger container and are willing to water regularly, a few mint seedlings will easily supply you with garnishes from spring through fall in most climates. Because it can’t be said enough, mint will try to take over your garden. Containers are the way to go.
Plant seedlings about 6 inches apart and fertilize at that time. Keep pinching off the ends (for drinks and other uses) and cut them back by about one-third halfway through the growing season. Mint is a perennial herb, so cut the plants all the way back in fall in cold-winter climates. They can easily last much longer where winters are warmer, but cut them back when they get woody.
Find out more about growing mint
For a mai tai, mint julep, mojito or planter’s punch, a few sprigs of mint are the perfect finishing touch. Mint is also easy to grow, so it’s a great choice for even beginning gardeners.
If you have a place in full sun to partial shade (in regions with hot summers) for a 12-inch-wide or larger container and are willing to water regularly, a few mint seedlings will easily supply you with garnishes from spring through fall in most climates. Because it can’t be said enough, mint will try to take over your garden. Containers are the way to go.
Plant seedlings about 6 inches apart and fertilize at that time. Keep pinching off the ends (for drinks and other uses) and cut them back by about one-third halfway through the growing season. Mint is a perennial herb, so cut the plants all the way back in fall in cold-winter climates. They can easily last much longer where winters are warmer, but cut them back when they get woody.
Find out more about growing mint
Strawberries
They’re the perfect topping for a strawberry daiquiri or a strawberry margarita, but don’t limit yourself — strawberries can be a terrific addition to many fruit-based drinks.
Strawberries have long been an edible garden favorite. Set out plants in early spring (or fall and winter in warm-winter regions) in a sunny spot with rich soil. A container should be at least 8 inches deep, and a hanging planter should be at least 12 inches deep.
Provide regular water, and keep a close eye out for pests and diseases. As hard as it is, pinch off the earliest blossoms to get the best fruit production. Once the fruit begins to develop and ripen, you’ll probably need to net the plants to prevent birds and the like from getting the crop before you do.
Strawberries can produce well for two to three years, but you’ll need to cover the beds in cold-winter climates if you want the plants to survive.
Find out more about growing strawberries
They’re the perfect topping for a strawberry daiquiri or a strawberry margarita, but don’t limit yourself — strawberries can be a terrific addition to many fruit-based drinks.
Strawberries have long been an edible garden favorite. Set out plants in early spring (or fall and winter in warm-winter regions) in a sunny spot with rich soil. A container should be at least 8 inches deep, and a hanging planter should be at least 12 inches deep.
Provide regular water, and keep a close eye out for pests and diseases. As hard as it is, pinch off the earliest blossoms to get the best fruit production. Once the fruit begins to develop and ripen, you’ll probably need to net the plants to prevent birds and the like from getting the crop before you do.
Strawberries can produce well for two to three years, but you’ll need to cover the beds in cold-winter climates if you want the plants to survive.
Find out more about growing strawberries
Celery
It may be a bit of overkill to grow celery only for bloody marys, but if it’s already a part of your edible garden, harvest a few stalks when you have people over for brunch.
Celery does best in cooler weather, so plan to plant in early spring or even fall in warm-winter climates. It needs regular water and fertilizer. It also can be prone to a number of pests.
Traditionally, celery is blanched, which is done by covering the plants about three to four weeks before you plan to harvest so that sunlight doesn’t reach them. It’s not necessary to blanch them, but unblanched celery has a stronger flavor (and more nutrients).
Find out more about growing celery
It may be a bit of overkill to grow celery only for bloody marys, but if it’s already a part of your edible garden, harvest a few stalks when you have people over for brunch.
Celery does best in cooler weather, so plan to plant in early spring or even fall in warm-winter climates. It needs regular water and fertilizer. It also can be prone to a number of pests.
Traditionally, celery is blanched, which is done by covering the plants about three to four weeks before you plan to harvest so that sunlight doesn’t reach them. It’s not necessary to blanch them, but unblanched celery has a stronger flavor (and more nutrients).
Find out more about growing celery
Cherries
If you’re lucky enough to have the room for a cherry tree, try your hand at creating your own variation of maraschino cherries. There are a number of recipes out there with and without the sometimes hard-to-find maraschino liqueur. The final result probably won’t have the bright color of processed cherries, but you can get the flavor.
Maraschino cherries are traditionally used in such standbys as the Manhattan, whiskey sour, Tom Collins and old-fashioned (with an orange slice). Add them to a lemon spiral to top a French 75, or use them as a garnish with a boulevardier, Negroni or Vieux Carré. Of course, they’re also the garnish of choice for a Shirley Temple.
Plant in a spot with full sun and well-draining soil. Amend soil that is either very sandy or very heavy before planting, and water regularly throughout the growing season, stopping about two weeks before harvesting to prevent fruit from splitting. Pests and diseases can be a problem, especially for sweet cherries. You’ll also need to protect your crop from birds.
Find out more about growing cherries
If you’re lucky enough to have the room for a cherry tree, try your hand at creating your own variation of maraschino cherries. There are a number of recipes out there with and without the sometimes hard-to-find maraschino liqueur. The final result probably won’t have the bright color of processed cherries, but you can get the flavor.
Maraschino cherries are traditionally used in such standbys as the Manhattan, whiskey sour, Tom Collins and old-fashioned (with an orange slice). Add them to a lemon spiral to top a French 75, or use them as a garnish with a boulevardier, Negroni or Vieux Carré. Of course, they’re also the garnish of choice for a Shirley Temple.
Plant in a spot with full sun and well-draining soil. Amend soil that is either very sandy or very heavy before planting, and water regularly throughout the growing season, stopping about two weeks before harvesting to prevent fruit from splitting. Pests and diseases can be a problem, especially for sweet cherries. You’ll also need to protect your crop from birds.
Find out more about growing cherries
Beyond the Expected
There’s no need to stop with garnishes when it comes to adding edibles to a cocktail. Some garden favorites have become ingredients in the drinks themselves as well. If you do want to give one of these a try, reserve a sprig, slice or berry for a made-to-order garnish.
How to Grow Your Own Cocktail Garden
6 Things to Know Before You Start Growing Your Own Food
There’s no need to stop with garnishes when it comes to adding edibles to a cocktail. Some garden favorites have become ingredients in the drinks themselves as well. If you do want to give one of these a try, reserve a sprig, slice or berry for a made-to-order garnish.
- Lavender has established itself as a go-to ingredient for lemonade and vinegar, so it’s not a stretch to add it to a number of different cocktails. For one variation, take a look at Amy Stewart’s recipe for a lavender martini.
- Other, less-expected variations might include a mint and jalapeño Flaming Geisha or an aptly named basil-based Art Basil, as detailed in this Moroccan-inspired get-together.
- For a twist on the original, try a cucumber margarita or a cucumber gin and tonic.
- Rosemary can be equally at home in a gin and tonic or as a surprise ingredient in a punch.
- You can also experiment with a blueberry martini or with adding bell peppers to a rum-based drink.
- For something really different, consider trying a beet martini.
- You might even simply substitute one drink ingredient completely, such as carrot juice instead of orange juice in a mimosa or a green-colored bloody mary made with tomatillos.
How to Grow Your Own Cocktail Garden
6 Things to Know Before You Start Growing Your Own Food
If you have a garden, your growing options are fairly open. If, however, you’re limited to a patio or balcony, don’t despair. Instead, look at growing in containers. Mint is best grown in a container if you don’t want it taking over your garden. A planting box works for strawberries as well, but there are plenty of decorative options to add interest to a small space. Dwarf citrus trees also do well in containers, with the added advantage that you can move them to a sheltered spot if you live in a cold-winter climate.
Wherever you’re gardening, make sure that it’s close to your kitchen. It’s much easier to quickly grab a sprig or a fruit if you don’t have to go too far.
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