5 Herb-Based Syrup Recipes To Use In Drinks
The art of mixology involves being imaginative with flavour pairings and bringing together different ingredients to arrive at a balanced blend. And one of the prime ingredients that is often paired with fruits, juices and mixers in making different cocktails and mocktails is herbs.
Different herbs like rosemary, basil, mint and thyme are incorporated in the making of lots of aromatic and complex variations of drinks like the mojito, daiquiris, margaritas and even the martini cocktail.
One of the ways in which herbs are added to mixes is in the form of infused syrups. These are generally brought together by mixing equal parts sugar and water, with a similar amount of herbs. The infusion is allowed to sit for a while so all the flavours of the herbs seep into the mixture before straining. An herbal infusion enables a mixologist to introduce the sharp and distinct flavours of different botanicals into drinks while keeping them texturally smooth.
Read on below to know more about some of the herb-based syrup recipes that can be used to prepare different alcoholic and non-alcoholic mixes:
Rosemary And Honey Infusion
A simple infusion that can be prepared by using rosemary is a mix of this herb with honey.
Fresh rosemary sprigs are generally used to prepare this blend of sweet and savoury flavours. If one is keen on growing a small backyard herb garden, rosemary would be a suitable herb to plant. The sprigs can be plucked fresh, muddled and added to a jar of honey before letting it sit aside.
Oils and aromas from the herb will slowly release into the honey which can then be added as a sweetener to lots of variations of cocktails like the New York sour, a classic old fashioned and more.
Classic Mint Syrup
One of the key ingredients in making a good mojito is mint. The leaves of this herb are generally muddled with citruses to extract their oils and aromas that blend suitably into the cocktail. A classic mint syrup can be used in these recipes to build into this minty flavour, delivering a mix of sweet and sharp tasting notes.
Equal parts water and sugar can be brought together along with mint leaves for this flavourful infusion used to make drinks like mint julep, margarita and iced tea.
Lemongrass Tea And Honey Infusion
Another interesting syrup that can be made using honey is a sticky mix complete with the aromas of lemongrass. To make this syrup, first add a few lemongrass sticks in boiling water to craft an herbal brew.
As the flavours of lemongrass seep into the water, the brew will release a distinct fragrance. When the water cools, mix it with honey to make a slightly liquid syrup which can be added to gin or vodka based cocktails as well as tiki inspired fruit juices and mocktails.
Sage Infused Simple Syrup
Sage has a very earthy and robust aroma which brings a lot of depth into any recipe. While dried sage is used more prominently in culinary recipes, fresh leaves of this herb are often incorporated into cocktails for their distinctly potent flavour.
These leaves can be mixed with equal parts sugar and water to craft a simple syrup complete with intense tasting notes. The sage infused syrup pairs well with whisky and bourbon-based cocktails as well as autumnal mocktails.
Basil And Brown Sugar Syrup
Brown sugar can be used to prepare a syrup which carries a caramel-like note useful for making drinks that are a mix of sweet, bitter and earthy flavours. Infuse this brown sugar syrup with the aromatic notes of basil that adds lots of taste to any cocktail blend.
Muddle basil leaves and add them to the syrup for making the infusion. Store this well for 2-3 days before straining. This syrup can be used to prepare drinks containing lots of berries and other citrus fruits.
Drink responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
