Pansies and Johnny Jump Ups

Edible flowers have been used as garnishes for centuries to add color and flavor to dishes. With their wide range of colors, shapes, and flavors, they provide a beautiful finishing touch to any dish, and many can be used to add unique flavors and garnishes to cocktails. The best part? Many of these edible flowers can easily be grown in your backyard. Here, we will explore some of the best edible flowers to use as a garnish, along with a cocktail recommendation for each flower. Level up your drink game with these gorgeous, flavorful additions to your favorite cocktails. Whether you grow them in your own backyard, or purchase them from a florist, you will enjoy Insta-worthy drinks and mocktails when you add these edible flowers to your garnish game.

Our Favorites: Edible Flowers For Cocktails

 

Pansies and Johnny Jump Ups

Pansies and Johnny jump-ups are two additional edible flowers that are both beautiful and delicious. These flowers have a wintergreen flavor and are often used as a garnish for desserts such as cakes and ice cream. They are one of the most popular cocktail garnishes for floral cocktails and can transform any classic cocktail into a thing of beauty.

To use pansies and Johnny jump-ups as a cocktail garnish, simply glaze them with warmed jelly for a jeweled look. These flowers are also a great addition to cocktails, particularly those that feature floral and fruity flavors.

A cocktail that pairs well with pansies and Johnny jump-ups is the Lavender Martini.

This refreshing cocktail features a delicate floral flavor that is enhanced by the addition of pansies and Johnny jump-ups. Simply add a few flowers to the top of the drink for a beautiful and flavorful garnish.

pan

Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums are a popular edible flower with a peppery flavor like watercress. They come in a range of colors and varieties and can be used in salads or as garnishes. They are also a popular ingredient in cocktails, particularly in gin-based drinks.

A great cocktail to try with nasturtiums is the classic Gin and Tonic.

Simply garnish the drink with a few nasturtium flowers to add a touch of color and a subtle peppery flavor.

Marigolds

Marigolds are another popular edible flower with a citrus taste. The tiny flowers of signet marigolds, such as Lemon Gem and Tangerine Gem, are particularly good for garnishing dishes. They can be used in salads, soups, and stews, and also make a great addition to cocktails.

For a refreshing cocktail that pairs well with marigolds, try a Citrus Margarita.

Add a few marigold flowers to the rim of the glass for a beautiful and tasty garnish.

Borage

Borage is a herb with sky-blue flowers and a light cucumber taste. It’s a popular ingredient in fruit and green salads and can also be frozen in ice cubes for cold drinks.

One cocktail that pairs particularly well with borage is the Cucumber Martini.

Simply muddle a few borage flowers in the bottom of the glass before adding the gin, cucumber, and other ingredients for a refreshing and tasty cocktail.

Bee Balm

Bee balm is a member of the mint family with minty-tasting flowers. It comes in a range of colors, including bright red, purple, and pink.

Bee balm is a great garnish for cocktails that feature mint, such as the classic Mojito.

Add a few bee balm flowers to the top of the drink for a beautiful and flavorful garnish.

 

Squash Blossoms

Squash blossoms are a popular edible flower that can be used in many dishes. They have a mild flavor and can be used in salads, soups, and stews. They are also a popular ingredient in cocktails, particularly in tequila-based drinks.

For a tasty and refreshing cocktail that pairs well with squash blossoms, try a Spicy Margarita.

Add a few squash blossoms to the rim of the glass for a beautiful and tasty garnish.

 

In conclusion, edible flowers are a wonderful addition to any dish, providing color, flavor, and beauty. The above flowers are just a few of the many edible flowers available, but they are some of the most popular and versatile. Whether you are using them in salads, soups, or cocktails, these flowers are sure to impress your guests and add a touch of elegance to your dishes. Feeling fancy? Create edible flower ice cubes and add to water, cocktails, drinks, mocktails and lemonade!

If it’s winter or you cannot grow these edible flowers in your garden, many can be dried and preserved or even ordered online via Amazon.

 

 

 

 

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As Seen On Geeky Craze: Sangarita Recipe – Frozen Margarita Meets Frozen Sangria

Thank you to Geeky Craze for having Chesapeake Bartenders contribute to this recipe roundup on how to make Sangarita

What is Sangarita? A mix between a frozen margarita and frozen sangria. It is a wonderful drink and there are many flavorful variations you can try when making one. Check out this Sangarita Recipe article from Geeky Craze which features a roundup of recommendations and recipe ideas.

Cheers!

Full link:

https://geekycraze.com/sangarita-recipes-4-ways-to-make-this-classic-summer-drink/

 

Brett and Courtney

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Pumpkin Spice Latte Martini
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Pumpkin Spice Latte Martini Recipe – PSL Martini

How to Make a Pumpkin Spice Latte Martini

Basic Witches! Your PSL game just got an upgrade. If you start your day with a Pumpkin Spice Latte, then you can end your day with a PSL Tini, AKA the Pumpkin Spice Latte Martini. Not only is this the perfect autumn night cap, but it is a great cocktail to whip up for Halloween parties and gatherings. You can whip it up as a batch to serve at a party, or make it as a single serving.

Tip: This is the Martha Stewart-esque version where you make this baby up from scratch. You even make the pumpkin simple syrup (which can actually be used in your coffee in the morning if you have some leftover). However, if you are pinched for time, we have a Quick PSL Martini Recipe that requires only a few ingredients and can be made in a couple minutes. 

Tip: This cocktail can be made dairy-free and vegan. Be sure to use a vegan vanilla vodka and dairy-free alternative to milk (we love Oatly oat milk for the vegan version of this recipe)

Don’t feel like making this recipe? You can order your very own PSL Martini cocktail kit, ready to drink, with delivery (if you live in Maryland). Free delivery on Pumpkin Spice Latte Martini cocktail kits in Anne Arundel County and Queen Anne’s County. Please place your order on our Halloween Cocktail Kit Order Form.

Ingredients Needed:

  • Martini Shaker
  • Martini Glass
  • Ice
  • Vanilla Vodka
  • Pumpkin Pie Spice (we get it from Trader Joe’s)
  • Water
  • Sugar
  • Pumpkin Puree (if you cannot find this, don’t worry you can substitute pumpkin flavored syrup)
  • Cinnamon
  • Brown Sugar (or white if you don’t have brown sugar)
  • Vanilla Vodka
  • Espresso OR dried/instant espresso (we love Cafe Bustelo instant espresso for this recipe)
  • Pumpkin Pie flavored syrup (the kind you would add to a latte) – Monin makes a wonderful syrup
  • Milk/cream or a dairy free alternative

Instructions

Step 1: Making the Pumpkin Simple Syrup:

  • You will combine 1/2 a cup of pumpkin puree in a sauce pan on medium heat with 1/2 cup of water, and 1/2 a cup of sugar.
  • Stir until sugar and water have dissolved. Remove mixture from heat, transfer to a bowl, cover, and put in fridge.
  • Once pumpkin simple syrup is cooled, use a small funnel and transfer it into a bottle or jar

Step 2: Making the Espresso

You have a few options here. You can get espresso shots to go from your local coffee shop, you can use your own espresso machine if you have one. OR you can use instant espresso (my go to for this recipe is Cafe Bustelo instant espresso which can be found in most grocery stores)

  • 1 shot of espresso
  • If you are using instant espresso, refer to the directions to make one serving.
  • Tip: if using Cafe Bustelo, I use 1 teaspoon of instant espresso in 2 oz of hot water

Step 3: Prepare Your Martini Glass

You will need to separate small plates or saucers

  • Add 1 oz of water to a small plate or saucer
  • Mix one tablespoon of sugar with one tablespoon pumpkin pie spice (cinnamon or a mixture of cinnamon and nutmeg works too)
  • Add sugar/spice mixture to a small plate or sauce
  • Dip martini glass edge in water (basically you want to get the rim of the martini glass wet)
  • Immediately dip martini glass rim into saucer containing sugar/spice mixture. Spin the rim around in the mixture until the entire rim of the glass is dusted with the “rimming sugar”

Step 3: Making the PSL Martini:

  • Fill martini shaker 3/4 with ice
  • Add 2.5 – 3 ounces vanilla vodka to shaker (personally I do a slow 4 count when pouring vodka haha)
  • Add 1.5 oz of pumpkin simple syrup to shaker
  • Add 2.5 oz cream to shaker (or milk or milk substitute – oat milk works great)
  • Add 1 oz pumpkin pie syrup to shaker
  • Add one shot of espresso to shaker
  • Put lid on and shake the shaker!! Shake vigorously for 30 seconds – yes this counts as part of your workout
  • Strain into rimmed martini glass
  • Sip and enjoy!

 

Optional: Add whipped cream or large marshmallows to the top of your PSL martini and top with a sprinkle of sugar/spice mix. Garnish with a cinnamon stick if you are feeling extra basic 😉 This recipe can also be enjoyed over ice instead of being shaken and strained.

What do you think of this recipe? If you make it, please leave a comment and let us know if you enjoyed it.

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Simple Orange Crush Cocktail Recipe

“Crab cakes and orange crushes, THAT’s what Maryland does.” – Wedding Crashers (the Chesapeake Bartender version)

Okay, so maybe that isn’t exactly how the movie line went…but still, we Marylanders know all to well that our beloved Orange Crush cocktail is a staple at any bar based in the Free State. We are willing to bet that any Maryland bartender who has been slinging drinks for a few years knows exactly how to make this refreshing, summery drink.

But in case they don’t (we won’t judge), you can show them this handy dandy orange crush recipe, or better yet, you can whip it up at home anytime with a few simple ingredients.

 

How To Make A Classic Orange Crush Cocktail At Home

Ingredients:

  • Orange Vodka
  • Triple Sec (or orange liqueur)
  • Sprite
  • Fresh Oranges (to make fresh squeezed orange juice)

What you will need:

  • Cups/glasses
  • Ice
  • A cup for shaking (to mix the ingredients)

Optional Enhancements:

  • Reggae tunes
  • Citronella Candles
  • Boat
  • Views of the Chesapeake Bay

 

Prep:

Be sure to have fresh oranges on hand, as these are what can make or break an orange crush. The key to this cocktail is fresh squeezed orange juice. If you do not have oranges, our go-to is the fresh squeezed orange juice from Trader Joe’s (it is half the price of the Whole Foods fresh squeezed oj and just as yummy). 

Preparing the oranges: Personally, I like oranges to be cut in quarters because I think they are easier to squeeze and get lots of juice, with minimal mess. Some people prefer fancy juicers (they are great too), and some like to half the orange before squeezing it (by half the orange, I mean cut the orange in half). You do you boo! It doesn’t matter how you juice your orange, as long as you add it to the cocktail.

Step 1: Grab a large cup (we prefer a good old Red Solo cup) and fill to the top with ice.

Step 2: Pour 1.5 oz orange vodka over ice.

Step 3: Pour 1 oz Triple Sec (or orange liqueur) over ice.

Step 4: Pour 3 oz sprite

Step 5: Squeeze orange over the ice

Step 5: Use empty shaker cup and pour contents back and forth between cup and shaker cup to mix all ingredients

Step 6: Sip and enjoy!

Skinny Orange Crush Recipe

For those who prefer their orange crush with less sugar, here is the “Skinny Orange Crush Recipe:”

Ingredients:

  • Orange Vodka
  • Club Soda
  • Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice

Other Popular Crush Recipes:

Grapefruit Crush:
  • Grapefruit Vodka
  • Fresh Squeezed Grapefruit Juice
  • Sprite
  • Triple Sec
Margarita Crush:
  • Tequila
  • Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice
  • Sprite
  • Triple Sec
  • Garnish with a fresh squeeze of lime
Pineapple Crush:
  • Pineapple Vodka
  • Fresh Pineapple Juice
  • Sprite
  • Triple Sec
Mermaid Crush:
  • 1/2 Grapefruit Vodka + 1/2 Orange Vodka
  • 1/2 Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice + 1/2 Fresh Squeezed Grapefruit Juice
  • Triple Sec
  • Sprite

Let us know what you think of our classic Orange Crush recipe! We offer orange crushes at many private events. Ask for details if you would like to host an event with orange crushes. Cheers!

 

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