Herbs can do the same thing for cocktails as they do for food—that is, adding nuance and highlighting certain characteristics that might otherwise go unnoticed. They also make for an insanely refreshing drink. From sage to basil to thyme, mint and lavender, these 10 herbaceous cocktails are like a garden in a glass.
The smell of burning sage can clear a room of demons, and this sage water cocktail can clear your body of them. Well, at the very least, it tastes good. The Agua Sage was invented by Texas bartender Molly Walker and is made with sage water, honey, lemon, agave syrup and mezcal.
The Essentials
Mezcal
Sage Water
Water
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Up your Whiskey Sour game with this simple herbal twist. Irish whiskey and floral St-Germain hang out with fresh sage syrup, while a lightly fried sage leaf graces the top of the drink.
The Essentials
Irish Whiskey
Honey-Sage Syrup
St-Germain
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The Thai Basil Rum Slushie is like a health smoothie, but better. It draws on flavors from the Southeast Asian cuisine with a Thai basil, coconut sugar and lemongrass blend, and is spiked with white rum and funky rhum agricole. Just reading the ingredients makes you feel invigorated.
The Essentials
2 Rums
lemongrass syrup
thai basil leaves
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You don’t have to drink dark spirits like rum and whiskey when the weather gets colder, and the Autumn Smash is proof. Invented at New York’s Mother’s Ruin, this cocktail is made with vodka, maple syrup, apple juice, fig and Thai basil.
The Essentials
vodka
Maple Syrup
Apple Juice
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Mint and spice join forces in this spirited Paloma variation, and the result is the best of both worlds: a fiery kick and a cooling, herbal chill. Not to mention, it’s the perfect excuse to stock up on liters of Squirt.
The Essentials
blanco tequila
Jalapeño
Squirt Soda
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The Southside is a classic cocktail with just four ingredients: mint, gin, lime juice and simple syrup. It’s a beautiful, uncomplicated glass of pure joy.
The Essentials
mint
gin
lime juice
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The Aladdin Sane is a twist on the Saketini from Root bartender Waites Laseter. It's made with blood orange, rosemary syrup and curaçao, and a flaming rosemary sprig adds a lovely touch of aromatics. Just flame carefully—it’s good, but not “burn your house down” good.
The Essentials
nigori sake
Vodka
Rosemary syrup
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You don’t have to wait for the natural ebb and flow of the seasons to find all the spring vibes, because the Rhubarb Rosemary Margarita puts it right in your glass. The key is an easy-to-make rhubarb and rosemary syrup that’s then mixed with tequila and St-Germain.
The Essentials
blanco tequila
St-Germain
rhubarb and rosemary syrup
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You’ve been using your French press wrong, and you didn’t even know it. The Evolution is a scotch, mint tea and thyme cocktail that’s built in a French press and served warm.
The Essentials
scotch
Mint Tea
Lemon Iced Tea
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London Dry gin already makes a traditional Gin Fizz herbaceous, but a dose of lavender takes it to another level. A thick and creamy head of egg white foam ties it all together.
The Essentials
Gin
Egg Whites
3 dashes Lavender Bitters (plus more for garnish)
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