Chances are your holiday festivities are currently in full swing, and there's no better way to celebrate and spread the cheer of the season than by serving up your own herb-infused cocktails and mocktails! Fresh herbs—such as rosemary, thyme, and mint—have a unique way of elevating almost any holiday drink, adding a touch of garden magic to every sip. If you're ready to take your get-togethers to the next level, let's jump into a few of our favorite garden-fresh holiday cocktail ideas and recipes!

 

What are Some Homegrown Herbs I Can Use in My Cocktails?

When it comes to crafting the tastiest herb-infused holiday cocktail or mocktail, selecting the right herbs can make it or break it. These aromatic herbs are sure to add a burst of flavor to your festive drinks this year, but remember: the fresher, the better:

1. Rosemary

Known for its robust, pine-like aroma, rosemary is a versatile herb that excellently enhances both sweet and savory flavor profiles. Muddle a few sprigs into a cocktail or your next gin and tonic to release a delightfully-earthy essence into every sip. 

2. Thyme

With its subtle citrus notes, thyme adds a sophisticated touch to drinks, infusing them with a refreshing herbal complexity that blends well with a variety of spirits!

3. Mint

A cocktail classic, mint's cool, crisp flavor profile makes it the perfect ingredient for creating refreshing cocktails. From mojitos to minty hot chocolates, this herb brings an invigorating freshness to holiday drinks.

4. Basil

This herb’s sweet and slightly-peppery notes make it an unexpected yet delightful addition to many classic cocktails. Try it in fruity punches or citrusy cocktails for a twist that will leave your taste buds dancing.

5. Lavender

Lavender is your herb of choice if you're looking to add an elegant floral touch to your next cocktail. Its delicate fragrance transforms simple syrup into a heavenly elixir, adding a touch of sophistication to your holiday concoctions.

Dynamite Drink Recipes for Your Next Holiday Party

If there's one thing we know about our Bettendorf community, it's that we love a good holiday get-together! Here are a few garden-inspired cocktail and mocktail recipes that are sure to guarantee you hosting privileges for many Christmases to come:

Rosemary Cranberry Mule

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka
• 1 oz cranberry juice
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 1 oz rosemary-infused simple syrup
• 1 slice of lime
• Ginger beer
• Fresh rosemary sprig for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, combine vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice, and rosemary-infused simple syrup with ice.
2. Shake well and strain into a copper mug filled with ice.
3. Top with ginger beer and a slice of lime.
4. Garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig for a festive touch!

Thyme-Berry Sparkler

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
• 2 oz gin
• 1 oz thyme-infused honey syrup
• Sparkling water
• Fresh thyme sprig for garnish

Instructions:

1. Muddle mixed berries in a Collins glass.
2. Add the gin and thyme-infused honey syrup.
3. Fill your glass with ice and top with sparkling water.
4. Stir gently and garnish with a fresh thyme sprig.

Minty Mocha Martini

 

Instructions:

1. Rim a martini glass with chocolate shavings.
2. In a shaker, combine chocolate liqueur, vodka, cooled coffee, and mint-infused simple syrup with ice.
3. Shake well and strain into your prepared martini glass.
4. Garnish with a sprinkle of chocolate shavings for a festive finish.
   

Basil Citrus Punch

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh orange juice
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 2 oz light rum
• 1 oz basil-infused agave syrup
• Soda water
• Fresh basil leaves and citrus slices for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a pitcher, combine fresh orange juice, pineapple juice, light rum, and basil-infused agave syrup.
2. Stir well and refrigerate for at least an hour.
3. Pour the citrus punch into glasses filled with ice.
4. Top with soda water and garnish with basil leaves and citrus slices.

Lavender Lemonade Fizz

Ingredients:

• 2 oz gin
• 1 oz lavender-infused simple syrup
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• Club soda
• Fresh lavender sprig for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, combine gin, lavender-infused simple syrup, and fresh lemon juice with ice.
2. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice.
3. Top with club soda.
4. Garnish with a fresh lavender sprig.

Non-Alcoholic Choices

Santa's Berry Blast:

1. In a pitcher, combine 2 cups of mixed berry juice and 1 cup of sparkling water.
2. Stir the mixture well to ensure even distribution of flavors.
3. Add a handful of frozen berries to the pitcher for a fun and colorful touch.
4. Give it a gentle stir to incorporate the frozen berries.
5. Pour the Santa's Berry Blast into festive cups, and don't forget to add colorful straws for extra excitement.
6. Serve immediately and watch the kids enjoy this delightful, non-alcoholic holiday treat!

Frosty's Fruit Fizz:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine 3 cups of white grape juice and 1 cup of club soda.
2. Add a splash of orange juice to enhance the fruity flavor.
3. Stir the mixture gently to avoid losing the fizzy bubbles.
4. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
5. Prepare sliced citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons for garnish.
6. When ready to serve, take the mixture out of the refrigerator and pour it into chilled glasses.
7. Garnish each glass with the sliced citrus fruits.
8. Present Frosty's Fruit Fizz to the kids, and let them enjoy this refreshing and festive mocktail!

 

Of course, holiday cocktails and mocktails are just the beginning of your seasonal fun; take your holiday celebrations to the next level by taking your friends and family to some of the many great seasonal events going on in the Quad City area this year, including performances of Twas the Night Before Christmas and A Christmas Story: The Musical at Circa '21, Elf Trivia Night at Bettendorf's own Stouts's Irish Pub, the Hunt for the Holiday Pickle , or the Deck the Downtowns Holiday Display Challenge. Don't forget to stop by Wallace's Garden Center for everything you need to keep the good times rolling this Christmas, including last-minute gift ideas, stocking stuffers, and—of course—plants!

 

Happy holidays, Bettendorf; enjoy your final festivities of 2023!