The power of flowers! Edible flowers are easy to grow in your home garden and can be used for a festive garnish as well as a fun ingredient in your next cocktail! Check out some fun facts about these flowers, get some mixology inspiration, and try out the recipes below!

LAVENDER

Lavender is used in gin, vodka, bitters, and liqueurs. The flower is well-known for its relaxing and antiseptic properties. The scent deters pests and is actually part of the mint family! Try making your own lavender syrup, tincture, or muddle fresh springs like in this Lavender Martini from Amy Stewart.

Lavender Martini:

In cocktail shaker:

Muddle 3 sprigs of lavender with 1 1/2 oz Dry Gin

Add:

1/2 oz Lillet Blanc

Shake well with ice and double strain to a cocktail glass. Garnish with a sprig of lavender and a lemon twist.

JASMINE

There are between two and three hundred species of this flower of luxury! The scent is loved in perfumes, oils, and is even used in love potions. This fragrant flower is an aphrodisiac and is associated with the moon, creativity, love, and the goddess Diana. It is antifungal and antiviral and used to calm the nerves, sooth emotional problems, relieve PMS symptoms, and more. Check out the Golden Star Fizz for a refreshing jasmine cocktail.

HONEYSUCKLE

Honeysuckle, the flower of unity has been the inspiration of poets, writers, and artists throughout time. It is used to help with headaches, arthritis, inflammation, itching, and calming nerves. Try Martine Honeysuckle liqueur or create your own honeysuckle syrup, great for cocktails and mocktails!

Amelie:

Created at Barringer Bar. Via Martine

In shaker add:

1 1/2 oz gin

3/4 oz Martine

1/2 oz fresh lemon juice

1/2 oz simple syrup

3/4 oz aquafaba

Shake well with ice for 10 seconds. Double strain to cuope glass and top with 3 dashes of Angostura Bitters.

ELDERFLOWER

The most recognized brand of elderflower liqueur is St. Germain, but here are other brands that are quite delicious as well, like Bertina. The flowers have antibacterial properties. Ancient Greeks and Egyptians favored this medicinal ingredient for a variety of uses. Try an Elderflower Champagne Cocktail for a refreshing twist on a French 75.

Elderflower Champagne Cocktail:

Shake with ice:

1 oz gin

1 oz elderflower liqueur

1/2 oz fresh lemon juice

1/4 oz simple syrup

Strain to flute or coupe (or if you prefer over ice in a rocks glass) and top with champagne.

MARIGOLD

Marigolds have anti-inflammatory properties, support the skin, promote new tissue growth, and more. Araceli Marigold Liqueur from Mexico captures the magic of annual floral. Or try infusing a vodka with marigolds for The Marigold Cocktail, created by Jacob Racusin at the Snug in San Francisco.

Marigold Cocktail:

In shaker add:

1 1/2 oz Marigold Vodka**

3/4 oz fresh lemon juice

1/2 oz bee pollen honey

1 dash rose water

Short shake with ice.

Strain to glass with crushed ice.

Garnish with marigold petals.

**Marigold Vodka:

Add 1 liter of vodka and 450 grams of marigold petals to glass jar. Seal tightly. Infuse for two weeks. Strain petals out.