Holiday Beverages That Use Herbs From Your Garden
The winter holiday season is a time to eat, drink, and be merry — at least that’s how the saying goes. There are endless holiday parties and family feasts where food takes center stage. But cocktails, mocktails, and warm and cozy beverages are also a part of this festive season. If you want to take your winter beverages to the next level when you host a party, consider livening them up with herbs from your garden.
Some classic holiday beverages that can benefit from fresh herbs from your garden include spiced hot apple cider, mulled wine, minty hot chocolate, or eggnog with fresh ginger. Add turmeric from your garden to any pumpkin-spiced beverage. Use mint to make festive cocktails like candy cane mint juleps or cranberry mojitos. Combine maple and sage with whiskey, or add a dried herb blend to your Bloody Mary mix.
There is always a lot of focus on holiday foods, but there is just as much drinking as there is eating during this season. If you want to impress your guests, or simply try out some bold and refreshing beverage recipes this winter, then keep reading. Below is a list of delicious and creative beverages you can make this winter using herbs from your garden.
13 Winter Holiday Beverages You Can Make With Garden Herbs
1. Sage And Maple Whiskey Cocktails
Maple and whiskey are a match made in heaven. The smoky flavor of the whiskey complements the unique sugary taste of maple syrup. It’s no wonder that maple and bourbon cocktails have exploded in popularity in recent years.
To take this flavor combination to another level, try adding fresh, dried, or even fried sage leaves to your maple and whiskey cocktails. The herbaceous nature of these green leaves adds a welcome earthy flavor to this sweet and potent cocktail combination. Sage leaves also make a beautiful garnish for holiday cocktails.Â
2. Spiced Hot Apple Cider
Hot apple cider is a nourishing treat that you can find as soon as the leaves start changing colors, and it remains popular until spring. There are endless hot apple cider recipes, each with a unique blend of herbs, spices, and fruit.
While cinnamon, clove, and allspice are among the most popular spices added to this cozy fall and winter beverage, there are many other options. You can add ginger, citrus peel, lemon balm, and even thyme or rosemary to cider to give it a distinct flavor and exciting garnish.
3. Cranberry Mojitos
You might think mojitos are poolside cocktails rather than a holiday indulgence. While it’s true these minty cocktails originated in the Caribbean, it’s possible to turn a mojito into a holiday cocktail using one magical ingredient — cranberries.
Fresh cranberries and a splash of cranberry juice can turn a classic mojito into a festive and refreshing holiday cocktail. Not only does the tart nature of cranberries add great flavor to this beverage, but the red and green colors make it a perfect drink for Christmas.Â
You can use any type of fresh mint from your herb garden, just remember to wash the leaves first.
4. Candy Cane Mint Julep
Mint juleps are another beverage many people associate with hot summer days. While it’s true this beverage is delicious in a pewter cup on a hot day, you can transform it into a holiday beverage. After all, whiskey is more popular in the winter than in the summer.
In addition to adding fresh mint from your herb garden, you can garnish your seasonal julep with a miniature candy cane. This will add holiday charm and a dash of sweetness to this classic Southern cocktail.
5. Mulled Wine
For those living in cold climates, mulled wine is a winter fixture. This hot wine-based beverage smells divine as it simmers on the stove, the fruit and spices marinating and releasing into the air. There are many ways to make mulled wine, and many recipes call for various spices and herbs.
In addition to star anise, cinnamon, and clove, which are frequently found in mulled wine, you can also add herbs from your garden. Bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, and mint are all great options, and will add their own unique twist to this classic holiday cocktail.
6. Rosemary-Infused VodkaÂ
Liquor infusions are becoming increasingly popular. From spicy jalapeno tequila to vanilla vodka, nowadays, it seems every liquor is infused with a flavor. This holiday season, you can make your own liquor infusion using a garden herb that has a lovely pine smell.
Rosemary vodka is excellent as a base for a seasonal twist on the Gibson cocktail and as the base liquor for a Bloody Mary.
7. Christmas Tea Blend
One holiday beverage you can give as a gift is a tea made with herbs from your garden. Make a fragrant herbal tea using various dried and fresh herbs. One herbal combination that makes a tea that is bold and reminiscent of the holidays is mint, rosemary, thyme, and even oregano. You can prepare this for guests, or package it in sachets and give it as a DIY holiday gift.
8. Peppermint Hot Cocoa
Hot chocolate is always a good idea, but during the winter holidays, it feels almost essential. If you’re looking for a fun new twist on hot cocoa to serve guests this holiday season, consider infusing it with fresh peppermint.
To give your hot chocolate a fresh, minty flavor, steep fresh mint leaves in water or hot milk for at least 3 minutes, then add hot cocoa mix. Garnish this beverage with whipped cream and a fresh mint sprig.
9. Turmeric And Pumpkin Spice Latte
Pumpkin-spiced beverages have become a symbol of the autumn holiday season. It’s easy to find this syrup to make various beverages, but if you want to take your pumpkin spice to the next level, try adding turmeric from your garden.
Turmeric adds a refreshing additional layer of spice to your pumpkin lattes and other beverages. This root is also great for your health, as it is loaded with antioxidants and helps reduce inflammation.
10. Rosemary Blood Orange Mimosa
Mimosas are unquestionably the most popular brunch cocktail. If you are hosting a holiday brunch or afternoon tea, consider using your herb garden to spice up your boozy brunch. Instead of regular orange juice, use blood orange juice, as its red color is perfect for Christmas time. Add a sprig of rosemary to each mimosa to give an evergreen essence and add holiday cheer to this cocktail.
11. Fresh Ginger Eggnog
If you have fresh ginger in your herb garden, you can use it in all sorts of fun ways throughout the winter holidays, including to spice up the most iconic winter holiday beverage. Eggnog is a beverage you only find at Christmas time, and it’s very polarizing.Â
One way to make this beverage more flavorful and enjoyable is to add fresh ginger and even other herbs and spices to the recipe. Giving this thick and creamy beverage more punch will make it more palatable for many guests at your next holiday party.
12. Herb-Infused Bloody Mary Mix
Bloody Marys are another popular daytime cocktail, and become increasingly present in the winter, when daytime cocktails are more commonplace. One way to take your bloody Mary mix to the next level is to add herbs from your garden.
Basil, rosemary, thyme, and oregano are all fresh herbs you can chop up and add to your mix. You can also use basil leaves or rosemary sprigs to garnish this cocktail or mocktail.
13. Strawberry Basil Soda
The winter holidays are filled with heavy, rich foods and beverages. Therefore, it’s always nice to mix things up with something light and refreshing. Strawberry and basil are a great combination, and when added to sparkling water, they make a delightful mocktail.
These two ingredients taste great, and also have the seasonal colors of red and green. Use fresh strawberry puree and fresh basil leaves for the best results. To make this an alcoholic drink, you can either add gin or vodka and reduce the amount of soda you use.
Summing Up Ways To Add Herbs To Winter Holiday Beverages
Winter is a season filled with holiday parties, cocktails, and classic beverages you only find this time of year. To mix things up this holiday season, consider adding fresh herbs from your garden to some of your favorite winter beverages.
You can add various fresh herbs to hot classics like spiced apple cider and mulled wine. Eggnog benefits from fresh ginger, while turmeric provides an antioxidant boost to your favorite pumpkin spice drinks.
Some fun winter cocktails that use fresh herbs include sage-and-maple whiskey drinks, cranberry mojitos, and blood orange and rosemary mimosas. You can make Christmas herbal tea with dried herbs, or add an herb blend to your favorite bloody Mary mix.
Related Guides:
- The Best Types Of Mint You Can Grow In An Herb Garden
- 15 Fun Ways To Use Leftover Hot Cocoa Mix
- How To Dry Herbs From Y​​our Garden For Later Use
Tom Gaffey is an expert writer who currently resides in Washington D.C. Tom has a passion for real estate and home improvement writing, as well as travel and lifestyle writing. He lived the last twelve years in Hawaii where he worked closely with luxury resorts and event planners, mastering his knowledge of aesthetics and luxury products. This is where he found his passion for home improvement and a keen interest in DIY projects. Currently, Tom resides in Washington D.C, and also working on his debut fiction novel.
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