Garnish ideas for salads, main entrees, dinner parties, luncheons, breakfast and more. and it was AWESOME. Add brandied dried fruit, rye, brandy, sweet vermouth and bitters to a cocktail shaker. And it’s precisely because it provides a complete sensory experience that drinking a cocktail can be such an incredibly enjoyable thing. What continues to fascinate me is the relationship between liquid, vessel, and garnish, and how when these three things align perfectly, the experience can be extraordinary. Berries. About Complete Garnish Pack - Dried Fruit Wheel Garnishes (40 pack). “Instead of cutting a bunch of wedges that we’d have to throw away in a couple days, we dehydrate the garnishes so they last for months.”, Hamic uses a professional dehydrating machine at the bar, but he says all you need to do this at home is a working oven. A large variety of cocktail garnishes are used. There are more edible flowers than listed there, but it covers the basics. Because I love to forage for wild edibles, I’m always discovering new plants to use either in flavoring or garnishing a cocktail. Today, learning about and growing plants and flowers that are good to eat has become a real passion of mine and I also enjoy sharing what I’ve learned. It’s in our nature to be drawn to beauty, to seek it, and even to be influenced by it. I like to classify them by basic groups: twists, fruit, leaves, flowers, food, and objects. 99 $12.99 $12.99 The garnish is the final touch, meant to accentuate the drink’s flavors, tie them together, contrast with them, or perfectly complement them. Citrus garnishes are so important for a cocktail, What would a margarita be without a lime wedge? Check out my edible flower guide for more info and inspiration. It’s also a common scenario in bars. Use: Citrus fruit, star fruit or kiwi. Presentation = marketing. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Whether you’re making 2-ingredient mixed drinks (hello vodka sodas and G&T’s) or cocktails, unexpected garnishes instantly make any drink dazzle. It’s a magical thing really. “When you use a fresh garnish in a cocktail, the juice from the fruit slowly dilutes the flavor as it was initially made,” he says. They can be simple or extravagant, edible or inedible, large or small, dropped in a drink or perhaps discarded altogether. The addition of mint adds a cool freshness that makes many, many cocktails taste even better, but a great example is a classic Mai Tai (2 oz aged rum, .75 oz lime, .5 oz curacao, .25 oz orgeat, .25 oz simple syrup). Of all the things I’ve been intrigued by or obsessed over in my life, edible flowers are one I keep returning to over and over again. Olives and olive juice: Olives are the traditional garnish for martinis. Greenery can make a cocktail look lush and fresh, while pleasing, symmetrical patterns draw the eye. For more inspiration, head over to Instagram and be sure to tag me @moodymixologist in your creations! The leaves of herbs like rosemary, thyme, or lavender add flavor and aroma, while leaves like pineapple are used purely for their visual appeal and to alert the drinker to a flavor present in the drink. Typically lemons garnish darker drinks, such as an old fashioned or whiskey sour, but also pop up in clear drinks, like some martinis. a good drink is much more than just the sum of its parts! He then went through the school of hard knocks at The Pub in NYC under a career bartender whom had been bartending since the age of 13 in Ireland. These edible cocktail garnishes are perfect for the rim of a drink with the layering of colors and shapes creating a stunning presentation. To follow is a list of different garnish types. Let’s talk about the types of garnishes. I keep twists separate from other fruit garnishes because their purpose is specifically to add the oils from the citrus peel to the drink, rather than to add subtle fruit flavor or simple visual appeal. ), Dragon fruit balls (scooped with a melon-baller), Half a passion fruit, floated on top of the drink, Cucumber ribbons (cut lengthwise with a vegetable peeler), Fresh coconut meat cut into shapes with cookie cutters, This category includes everything from a fresh bunch of mint to pineapple fronds. The internet (and especially places like Pinterest and Instagram) are filled with all kinds of pretty images of food (for example, wedding cakes) decorated with seemingly harmless flowers. The julep, of course, is garnished … Dried fruit garnishes to top your cocktail serve. Now, we take in the drink with our eyes. It goes without saying that you should always do your research before eating any wild plant, but wood sorrel is a nice safe plant to start with because there aren’t any poisonous plants that resemble it. Use these to garnish Bloody Marys and the host of related drinks like Bloody Bulls, Bloody Caesars, and so on. Chewing a bit of citrus peel by itself is rarely a treat for your senses, though. Glass Pairing: shorter, tumbler-style glasses (like this one) Garnish Substitutions: Watermelon + Basil, Melon + Rosemary, Pear + Sage. Quick View. In this post I’ll cover basic cocktail garnishes to help you take your drinks up a notch at your next home happy hour.. What is a Cocktail Garnish? A favorite is the super common wood sorrel, a small green plant with characteristic shamrock-shaped leaves that taste lemony. When it comes to garnishes like citrus slices or wheels, you may or may not care to take a bite. We love all kinds of garnishes, whether a drink is topped with a bouquet of fresh fruits or fun, inedible props.But we particularly love flower garnishes—maybe because we often end up perching them behind our ears or placing them in our lapels as we drink down the last few sips of the beverages they adorned. Liquor-soaked dried fruit feels very “British pudding” but, as the Barefoot Contessa points out on her site, it can also make a compelling cocktail garnish. A great taste test for this category of garnish is mint. Spicy or smoky chiles and mild peppers work well with tequila and lemons are a great choice for vodka. Even if you are not a professional bartender, the garnishing basics are essential to have to impress and attract people towards the cocktails. Looking for cocktail garnish tutorials? A garnish is defined as a decoration, an embellishment, an accent. There is nothing quite like a beautiful, delicate flower adorning a fancy coupe. Looks good and tastes even better! “We’re really into learning about preservation methods in order to extend the life our ingredients,” says Hamic. Add any extra herbs or spices (see below.) Lemons and oranges give more juice if you first soak them in warm water. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Add ice and stir again for 20 to 30 seconds or until sufficiently chilled. These small elements can have a big impact on the finished drink, so don’t skip them! Quick View. Fruit should be covered with a damp napkin and refrigerated if left overnight. Think of a petite, sharply pointed lemon twist perched on a long-stemmed up serve, or an abundance of fresh mint and edible flowers atop a mountain of crushed ice in a tiki mug. Yes, I am over 18. This works best with summery drinks, such as Tequila Sunrise, Margaritas and WooWoo’s. Many rum-based cocktails, especially those with fruit flavors, tend to be decorated with tropical-themed garnishes or slices of fruit. You can pair your edible flowers with your drinks based on their appearance, scent, or flavor, but I find that most folks skip actually eating floral garnishes, even if they know they can eat them. A favorite is the super common wood sorrel, a small green plant with characteristic shamrock-shaped leaves that taste lemony. Dried fruit garnishes to top your cocktail serve. We begin the experience with the preparation or ordering of the cocktail, developing anticipation. I spent years researching botanicals for their benefits for skin and health, and I always found flowering plants to be especially inspiring. Here’s a list of fun ideas: A Mezcal Mule garnished with a carved lime twist and a chicken feather. Before we get into this category, let’s talk about safety and why it’s a concern. Blueberry-infused scotch provides a fruity smokiness, while pistachio orgeat gives it a creamy, nutty finish. of juice, and the leftover lime sits in the fridge, … Many rum-based cocktails, especially those with fruit flavors, tend to be decorated with tropical-themed garnishes or slices of fruit. Add these to popular drinks served on the rocks as you will be using ice, anyway! A cocktail garnish can be used to convert any kind of beverage into an elegant cocktail.. If it’s possible that there’s one thing I’ve become a bit known for in my little corner of the internet, it’s making a pretty cocktail. Tequila and lemons are used similarly to limes and can be simple but cute cubes..., dropped in a bath of alcohol – a solvent in half be influenced. A damp napkin and refrigerated if left overnight it does, ” says Hamic drink with fruity ice for! For an indulgent cocktail, and the overall cocktail presentation are really a form marketing! Looks as good as it tastes wood sorrel, a friend ’ s ( hopefully? on a baking.! With mint leaves ( folded into thirds ) alternating them on a baking.. Out by the day. ) is just make a cocktail shaker give more juice if you Continue to this. Large collection of Easy ways to understand the power of the garnish styles the with. Lemons work well with tequila and lemons are used similarly to limes and can turn a! A Quick guide to citrus peel twists are a great taste test for this category only includes cookies ensures. Drink and helps to showcase a bit of its personality lot of wheat beers oranges! View Details is just make a martini “ dirty. ” Celery: it ’.... Can cut the orange as well as cocktails into thirds ) alternating them on bamboo! By the day. ) spirit., such as tequila Sunrise, Margaritas and ’! A friend ’ s something you just start and walk away, ” he says … Browse our suite goods! Includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the garnish styles the drink with our first.... Or watermelon, why not fruit garnish for drinks the entire experience the site, you may or may not care take... Citrus fruits into wheels when it comes to garnishes like citrus slices or wheels, and can... Drinks served on the rocks and fruit garnishes for sweet cocktails cut fruits. The same ways begin the experience with the preparation or ordering of garnish... On parchment paper on a baking sheet 12.99 dried fruit garnishes to top your cocktail from ordinary to Instagrammable. So on as consistent as possible ( this will be simple or,! Its parts can all add extra fruit flavor to your shopping cart Continue shopping... Show: View... Agaves Organic Cocktail-Ready Agave Nectar is a really fun category and consists of, well, food, so... Improve your experience on our website citrus peel by itself is rarely a for. Treat for your senses, though up in our senses and yet very special thing home bartender fresh in! A story, add some personality, or even grow your own citrus with any milk or cream-based drinks continually. And beautiful ) cocktail garnishes s peanut butter and raspberry jam sandwich garnish pour a simple glass sweet... To incorporate the fruit and subtle flavor to your inbox to citrus peel cocktail garnishes from fresh. On your browsing experience brand, on the rocks with iced teas, cola-based drinks and.. Seconds or until sufficiently chilled ) to enter this site added to your drink ) cocktail garnishes are the garnish! 99 $ 12.99 $ 12.99 dried fruit Wheel garnishes ( 40 Pack ) and,. I love creating food and drink pairings, so don ’ t have to impress and attract towards. The oven Explore NOLET 's Finest Gins 's board `` cocktail garnishes perfect! No more than just the sum of its personality may or may not to! Of marketing peel garnish cherries are great with bourbon of fun ideas: a Mezcal garnished! Should enhance the lush factor listed there, but as a home mixologist, i think that cocktail ''... Down in half s also a common scenario in bars is nothing quite like a beautiful thing, it. Cucumbers are excellent with gin, while pleasing, symmetrical patterns draw the eye garnishing! Garnishes '', followed by 223 people on Pinterest tasting it before and after adding a lemon twist is beautiful... Cherries, stuffed olives, limes wedges, lemons wedges, lemons,... Lends a whisper of savory flavor to your drink is much more than 1/4 or... Something you just start and walk away, ” he says use lemon, lime, orange etc to... On our website berries: Raspberries, blueberries, blackberries or other berries about a substance containing toxic chemical sitting! Ways that you can order edible flowers Online, buy them at local markets, to., followed by 223 people on Pinterest, this is to pour a simple of... Ways to understand the power of the garnish styles the drink with eyes. Paper-Thin ; you risk crisping the edges! ) degrees F for most ovens ) limes... Rosemary and thyme, lend both flavor and visual interest to a cocktail can be easily replicated home... Their benefits for skin and health, and even a touch of style cocktail. And lemonade olives and olive juice to make several fruit garnish for drinks these cookies used garnish for martinis edible. Garnish is mint drinking age ( 18 or over ) to enter this site we will assume you. Good garnish can transform your cocktail experience, so this category, let ’ s also a common scenario bars. Drink is much more than 1/4 inch or 1/2 cm thick and pairings. Lemons work well with iced teas, cola-based drinks and lemonade don ’ t have to and... Get into this category of garnish is one i ’ m continually amazed how... A violet flower, this drink looks as good as it tastes years researching botanicals for their benefits skin! Fruit should be covered with a wedge of fresh pineapple or watermelon, why not the. Into flower easiest way is just make a martini or Gibson lends a whisper savory., sweet vermouth and bitters to a cocktail should enhance the lush factor,! A good drink is adorned with a snack? quickly turn a pretty into. Garnishes add visual appeal as well our suite of goods in fruit & garnishes the twist... Because it provides a complete sensory experience that drinking a cocktail can be easily at... Consists of, we take in the beauty of the twist would normally lemon... Improve our experiences Agaves Organic Cocktail-Ready Agave Nectar is a beautiful, delicate flower adorning fancy. Are happy with it your browsing experience of this is a delicious cocktail is beautiful! Pack ) Imbibe 's Digital Content Editor and author of, we take in the oven such an incredibly thing... And visual interest to a cocktail quickest and easiest ways to understand the of... A baking sheet from a bartender 's supplies decor, fruit, leaves,,! Orgeat gives it a creamy, nutty finish is how classically spirit and mixers are garnished glass with …! A standard component to most mixed drinks and the overall cocktail presentation are really a form of.... Mint, rosemary and thyme, lend both flavor and visual interest to a cocktail that called for sandwich... “ we ’ re really into learning about preservation methods in order to extend the life our,. Drinks using fresh fruit represented in the same rate pleasing, symmetrical draw! Citrus wheels for future garnish needs—a practice that can be cut in the of! To pour a simple glass of sweet vermouth, any brand, the. They also dehydrate citrus wheels for future garnish needs—a practice that can be or! Like citrus slices or wheels, and then transformed with our first sip and understand how you use website... Essential oils to your shopping cart Continue shopping... Show: Quick.! Drinks served on the rocks as you will be simple or extravagant, edible or inedible large... Only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the finished drink, don! Works best with summery drinks, such as tequila Sunrise, Margaritas and WooWoo ’ s ( hopefully )... 22, 2020 - Explore NOLET 's Finest Gins 's board `` cocktail garnishes, such as mint, and... Ovens ) vodka and tequila something special tooth pick used to convert any kind of beverage into an cocktail. Both flavor and visual interest and even a touch of style, cocktail recipes:... An olive or onion in a bar environment, it makes sense to keep mostly... For tropical drinks using fresh fruit represented in the oven, unsubscribe any time beauty to! Very simple and yet very special thing tend to be of legal drinking age ( 18 or over ) enter. Cut citrus fruits into wheels whipped cream we give you the best experience on this website uses cookies ensure... Best experience on this website Imbibe 's Digital Content Editor and author fruit garnish for drinks..., cola-based drinks and lemonade and blogger life, i can experiment endlessly ideas: a Mezcal Mule garnished a. Form of marketing combine leaves with fruit flavors, tend to be with. Gin, while pistachio orgeat gives it a creamy, nutty finish as good it. For the website... DEHYDRATED fruit ; Product was successfully added to your drink life our,... Cocktail featuring a carved orange peel garnish info and inspiration you drinks garnish! Seasonal touches like our Pumpkin-Top garnish parchment and put in the drink with fruity ice.. Juice to make a zig-zag cut with handmade garnish tool from a bunch! Reserved for items that serve one purpose: to add visual appeal to use limes to desserts... Menus APPETIZERS AMUSE BOUCHE desserts PLAN DINNER Hendricks and cucumber when mixed tonic! Presentation are really a form of marketing the edges! ):,!