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rose hips and whiskey

Roses & Rye: a Rosehip Whiskey Cocktail

Happy Hannukah, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Fabulous Festivus!

For those of you who appreciate a tasty adult beverage, I’ve got good news. I’ve just published a new online course: Homemade Craft Cocktails: from Garden to Glass. For less than the price of a single craft cocktail at a fancy bar (which is probably closed right now anyway), you can unleash your inner mixologist and serve up some amazing cocktails to brighten up your holiday. And as a bonus for being a loyal blog reader, here’s an extra recipe that’s not in the course. It’s a tasty blend of rose hips and whiskey and will warm you up on a winter’s evening. (Ok, it’s technically not winter yet but there’s snow on the ground here so as far as I’m concerned, winter it is.) Many thanks to Levi White for coming up with the perfect name: Roses & Rye.

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Japanese knotweed sour

The Samurai Sour Cocktail: Recipe

Spring is just around the corner. Actually, it started yesterday, but I woke up to freezing temperatures this morning so it doesn’t feel very spring-like. Nonetheless, this time of year I start thinking about Japanese knotweed, one of my favorite wild edibles. Its pink color and tart flavor make it the perfect ingredient for a foraged twist on a whiskey sour. I named this cocktail The Samurai Sour because originally I used Japanese knotweed and Japanese whisky*. But Japanese whisky can be expensive, so feel free to use any whiskey (blend or single malt) you have on hand. Read more

chokecherry bounce

Chokecherry Bounce: a Rye Cocktail

What exactly is a bounce? Rumor has it that cherry bounce was one of George Washington’s favorite tipples, and Martha’s recipe for the beverage survives to this day. In this foraged version, I’ve substituted chokecherries for cultivated cherries, and rye for the more traditional brandy. And while many bounce recipes are heavily spiced with cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg, I’ve kept it simple with just three ingredients. Once you’ve made the base infusion, you can enjoy it any way you’d like: poured over a single large ice cube, sipped neat from a coupe, combined with a sploosh of seltzer, or garnished with a few Luxardo cherries. Any way you drink it, Chokecherry Bounce is an exceptional adult beverage. Read more

nettle cordial

Nettle Cordial Recipe (and a Bonus Cocktail)

Many foragers appreciate stinging nettles as mild-flavored, nutritious, spring greens. We use them in pasta, stews, and soups. But not everyone realizes that stinging nettles can also make a tasty wild beverage. Stinging nettle cordial is a refreshing herbal drink that can be enjoyed on its own or in a flavorful adult beverage. Read more

an elderflower - wineberry wildcrafted cocktail

Happy Birthday Leda: A Wildcrafted Wineberry Cocktail Recipe

Wineberry season happens to coincide with the birthday of a very dear friend, so I named this wildcrafted cocktail after her. It combines the vivid beauty and flavor of wineberries (fresh or frozen) with the more delicate color and taste of elderflowers. Finish it off with your favorite clear spirit. Mine is The Botanist Gin. Read more