Category: gin

gin

Hibiscus Negroni | A Vibrant Spin on a Bitter Classic Cocktail

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The Hibiscus Negroni is a sweeter riff on the Negroni, a classic cocktail known for its bitter bite. The hibiscus syrup made by SimplyGala makes it easy to incorporate the hallmark flavor of hibiscus without the fuss of having to make it yourself.

The Hibiscus Negroni is a sweet, floral riff on the Negroni, a classic cocktail known for its bitter bite. The hibiscus syrup made by SimplyGala makes it easy to incorporate the hallmark flavor of hibiscus without the fuss of having to make it yourself.

This post is sponsored by SimplyGala. All opinions are my own.

Y’all know that my passion is to get you (yes you, dear reader) hyped about making cocktails at home. I definitely want you to make *my* drink recipes but I also really want you to try your hand at coming up with your own. Perhaps you’ve already read through my Cocktails 101 post and my 5 Tips for Making Cocktails at Home but you’re still hesitant to actually start experimenting on your own. I get it. I feel ya. No one wants to waste precious ounces of alcohol in a mystery recipe that could end up tasting nasty.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you buy a product via my affiliate link, I will receive a commission. This is at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I actually like! 

One of the easiest ways to start experimenting with cocktail recipes is by exploring the wide world of syrups. If you’re not comfortable trying to come up with a totally new recipe, just put your own spin on a classic by adding a flavored simple syrup. I’ve got several recipes on this blog for ones you can make yourself (you can browse them all here), but my friends over at SimplyGala have several flavors that you can purchase.

I recently discovered SimplyGala syrups and am so glad I did. I make a lot of my own simple syrups for two reasons: 1) I’m picky about ingredients, and 2) I’m pretty frugal. SimplyGala syrups are the answer to my penny-pinching, artificial-flavor-spurning prayers. They have a wide range of flavors at affordable prices with 0 bad ingredients. I recently made a passion fruit Paloma recipe using their passion fruit syrup and woo-wee, it was goo-ood. You can check out that post to learn more about SimplyGala as a company, too.

SimplyGala sent me their hibiscus syrup and I was easy to try it. My first thought was to use it in a Gin Campari Sour. But then I remembered that this week is Negroni Week.

The Hibiscus Negroni is a sweeter riff on the Negroni, a classic cocktail known for its bitter bite. The hibiscus syrup made by SimplyGala makes it easy to incorporate the hallmark flavor of hibiscus without the fuss of having to make it yourself.

Negroni Week was instituted in 2013 by Imbibe Magazine and Campari as a way to raise money for charities. This year, though, all the funds raised will go towards supporting our friends in the hospitality and restaurant industries. So many bars and restaurants are really hurting due to new COVID rules and restrictions and now we have an easy opportunity to help them. You can read more about #negroniweek and donate by clicking here.

What is a Negroni though? It’s a classic cocktail made with 3 ingredients: gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. I’d go as far as to say that it’s the most polarizing cocktail out there. You either hate ’em or love ’em. I fell in the first category for a long time until I taught myself how to like Campari (you can check out this post to read more about how I did that). A Negroni is still not my preferred way to enjoy Campari… but this Hibiscus Negroni has changed my tune.

Negronis are loved/detested because they’re incredibly bitter. I wanted to balance this flavor and thought that hibiscus syrup would be a great way to do that. If you’ve never tried hibiscus before, it’s got a tart, almost cranberry-like flavor. Using it in syrup form means I could also introduce some needed sweetness to the classic drink. The Hibiscus Negroni still has the signature bitter notes of a traditional Negroni but it’s offset a bit by the tartness and sweetness of the hibiscus syrup. I’m a fan.

One thing I love about SimplyGala’s hibiscus syrup is that there are only 3 ingredients: pure cane sugar + water + hibiscus flowers. No artificial colors, artificial flavors, chemicals, or preservatives. Unfortunately, that can’t be said about other hibiscus syrups out there on the market.

The Hibiscus Negroni is a sweeter riff on the Negroni, a classic cocktail known for its bitter bite. The hibiscus syrup made by SimplyGala makes it easy to incorporate the hallmark flavor of hibiscus without the fuss of having to make it yourself.

Just browse all the different SimplyGala syrup options— they’re sure to inspire many of your own cocktail creations. If you’re wanting some recipe inspo for your new syrups, check out these 17 easy cocktail recipes that can easily be altered by changing the syrup flavor. Who knows, this time next month I could be reading your new cocktail blog.

If you’ve previously scorned Negronis, give this one a try and tag me on Instagram!

The Hibiscus Negroni is a sweeter riff on the Negroni, a classic cocktail known for its bitter bite. The hibiscus syrup made by SimplyGala makes it easy to incorporate the hallmark flavor of hibiscus without the fuss of having to make it yourself.

Ingredients for a Hibiscus Negroni

  • 1 oz gin
  • 1 oz Campari
  • 1/2 oz sweet vermouth
  • 1/2 oz SimplyGala’s hibiscus syrup

How to Make a Hibiscus Negroni

Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with a couple large ice cubes. Stir to incorporate. Strain into a lowball glass filled with a large ice cube. Garnish with a lemon peel.

The Hibiscus Negroni is a sweeter riff on the Negroni, a classic cocktail known for its bitter bite. The hibiscus syrup made by SimplyGala makes it easy to incorporate the hallmark flavor of hibiscus without the fuss of having to make it yourself.



vodka

Black Lemon and Basil Cocktail| A Sublime Cocktail with Lemon Basil & Black Lemon

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This Black Lemon and Basil Cocktail is an exotic drink with a clean taste; it's made with fresh lemon basil, black lemon sparkling tea, lemon juice, and simple syrup. This lemon basil & black lemon cocktail is perfect for lemon lovers who want to venture beyond the Lemon Drop.
This Black Lemon and Basil Cocktail is an exotic drink with a clean taste; it’s made with fresh lemon basil, black lemon sparkling tea, lemon juice, and simple syrup. This lemon basil & black lemon cocktail is perfect for lemon lovers who want to venture beyond the Lemon Drop.

I never win anything. Giveaways, cherry pies in cakewalks, knock-off plushies in claw machines, money from lottery tickets, free sandwiches. Nada. Statistically speaking, I’m sure most people in the world would say “me either.”

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you buy a product via my affiliate link, I will receive a commission. This is at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I actually like! 

I don’t feel like a “lucky” person. I guess I don’t fully *believe* in Luck (maybe It knows). But when I think about my old coworker who’s won TWO cars and tens of thousands of dollars from gambling, I’ve gotta chalk it up to something. I guess it is luck and I just don’t have much of it.

But that changed a few weeks ago. I WON A GIVEAWAY. An Instagram giveaway, at that. I must’ve quadruple-checked the message when I saw it. And before you get all excited and start trying to figure out where I live, I didn’t win anything crazy.

I won a sampler of Sparkling Botanicals sparkling teas. A 12-pack y’all 🙌 I had seen these gorgeous cans sporadically in my Instagram feed and oohed and ahhed at all the flavors. Ooh and ahh is all I did though because these babies are pri-cey. I hopelessly entered the giveaway, as I often do, and went about my life until the fateful DM that ushered in my stroke of luck.

This Black Lemon and Basil Cocktail is an exotic drink with a clean taste; it's made with fresh lemon basil, black lemon sparkling tea, lemon juice, and simple syrup. This lemon basil & black lemon cocktail is perfect for lemon lovers who want to venture beyond the Lemon Drop.

A couple days later a friend texted me. “I went to the farmers’ market today and got some lemon basil. The guy gave me a one-pound bag– I’ll never be able to eat it by myself. Can I bring you some tomorrow?” Seriously. Get you some friends that support your cocktail creating habits. As soon as I saw the words “lemon basil”, I knew I wanted to use it in combination with the black lemon flavor of Sparkling Botanicals.

Just in case you’re wondering if you read that right, yes- it does say black lemon. I’d never heard of it before but I was intrigued. Turns out, black lemons are actually limes (usually) that have been dried. They’re soaked in a brine solution before being left to dry out in the sun. Black lemon is a common ingredient in Iranian cooking and has a distinguishable taste. If you’re intrigued, too, you can buy a bag of them on Amazon. Supposedly they’re a sublime addition to stews and soups.

This Black Lemon and Basil Cocktail is an exotic drink with a clean taste; it's made with fresh lemon basil, black lemon sparkling tea, lemon juice, and simple syrup. This lemon basil & black lemon cocktail is perfect for lemon lovers who want to venture beyond the Lemon Drop.

If you can’t purchase Sparkling Botanicals’ black lemon flavor, you can use lemon sparkling water instead. Instead of calling it a Black Lemon and Basil, you can just dub it a Lemon and Basil. It won’t taste the same but it’ll still be good, especially if you’re able to get your hands on some lemon basil.

Lemon basil tastes exactly what it sounds like and it smells straight-up divine. This was my first time ever having it & that’s a crying shame. I put some of these cuttings in a bottle of water to propagate and they’re just about ready to transplant into a pot. Then I can have an endless supply of lemon basil at home. Well, if I keep it alive. If you need some tips on how to grow your own basil at home, check out this great article written by Okra In My Garden.

This Black Lemon and Basil Cocktail is an exotic drink with a clean taste; it's made with fresh lemon basil, black lemon sparkling tea, lemon juice, and simple syrup. This lemon basil & black lemon cocktail is perfect for lemon lovers who want to venture beyond the Lemon Drop.

If you’re looking for other exotic drinks, check out my Golden Pothos cocktail that also calls for cardamom simple syrup and turmeric, and my Rub of the Green that utilizes matcha simple syrup and cardamom bitters.

Have you ever had a black lemon cocktail or used lemon basil in a cocktail? Let me know in a comment below!

Ingredients for a Black Lemon and Basil Cocktail

  • 1 1/2 oz vodka, or gin
  • 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 4-6 lemon basil leaves
  • 1/2 oz cardamom simple syrup
  • 3+ oz black lemon sparkling water

How to Make a Black Lemon and Basil Cocktail

Add the liquor, freshly-squeezed lemon juice, cardamom simple syrup, and lemon basil leaves to a cocktail shaker. Gently muddle the basil, making sure to only bruise the leaves and not obliterate them. Add ice and shake well for about 20 seconds. Strain into a highball or Collins glass that’s been filled with ice. Top off the rest of the glass with the black lemon sparkling water. Garnish with additional lemon basil leaves.

Black Lemon & Basil Cocktail

This cocktail has bright notes of lemon warmed up by black lemon sparkling water and cardamom syrup. It's refreshing with a subtle complexity that'll make you want to take sip after sip.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 3 mins
Course Drinks
Servings 1

Equipment

  • cocktail shaker

Ingredients
  

  • 1½-2 oz vodka, or gin
  • ½ oz lemon juice, freshly squeezed
  • 4-6 leaves lemon basil
  • ½ oz cardamom simple syrup*
  • 3+ oz black lemon sparkling water

Instructions
 

  • Add the liquor, freshly-squeezed lemon juice, simple syrup, and lemon basil leaves to a cocktail shaker.
  • Gently muddle the basil, making sure to only bruise, not obliterate them.
  • Add ice and shake well for about 20 seconds.
  • Strain into a highball or Collins glass that's been filled with ice.
  • Top off the rest of the glass with the black lemon sparkling water.
  • Garnish with additional lemon basil leaves and a lemon wheel.

Notes

*You can find the easy recipe for cardamom simple syrup here.
Keyword beet simple syrup, black lemon, gin, lemon basil, sparkling water, vodka
This cocktail has bright notes of lemon warmed up by black lemon sparkling water and cardamom syrup. It's refreshing with a subtle complexity that'll make you want to take sip after sip.
vodka

Spiked Cherry Limeade | An Easy 3 Ingredient Cocktail

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This spiked cherry limeade recipe is almost too easy. If you can stir a drink, you can make this cocktail. You might even have the 3 ingredients on hand already.

This spiked cherry limeade recipe is almost too easy. If you can stir a drink, you can make this cocktail. You might even have the 3 ingredients on hand already.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you buy a product via my affiliate link, I will receive a commission. This is at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I actually like! 

I’ve been meaning to share this cocktail recipe for months now. Since I started up this blog, actually. It’s been a go-to of mine for over a year now. It’s definitely more of a summery drink, in my opinion. So I decided I would wait until May to post it. The months ticked by sooo slowly (thanks, pandemic).

But then BOOM summer was here and I got distracted by posting classic summer drinks like Piña Coladas and Mai Tais and Jungle Birds. This spiked cherry limeade recipe faded from memory.

One day I posted a quiz on an Instagram story, asking people what they thought my most popular recipe was. It was (and still is) my Cucumber Basil Refresher but nearly evvverryone clicked “Cherry Limeade Margarita“. Huh. That got my attention. Clearly people are fans of this flavor… OH MY GOSH I NEVER POSTED THE SPIKED CHERRY LIMEADE RECIPE I’VE BEEN WAITING MONTHS TO POST! Buhh what have I been doing with my life?!

Okay, that’s a tad dramatic but really. I was shocked to realized I’d never posted this recipe. So naturally I let several more weeks pass by until I’m finally sitting down to type it out now.

This spiked cherry limeade recipe is almost too easy. If you can stir a drink, you can make this cocktail. You might even have the 3 ingredients on hand already.

It’s honestly so easy that it feels a little silly to type out. Once you see it, you’ll think “Wow, why did I never think of that?”

Those are actually the same words that I said when my friend shared this recipe with me. It’s a brilliantly simple idea:

cherry limeade drink mix + liquor + Sprite = spiked cherry limeade

You can use this formula to make any manner of fruity boozy beverage– just change up your drink mix. Cherry limeade is an obvious winner, but I’ve done this with a cucumber melon drink mix, a watermelon drink mix, and several others. The options are almost limitless.

I like using the True Lime brand of drink mixes (you can find their black cherry limeade one here) because they don’t use artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners and their ingredients are also non-GMO. But I definitely have the Walmart brand ones in my pantry, too.

This spiked cherry limeade recipe is almost too easy. If you can stir a drink, you can make this cocktail. You might even have the 3 ingredients on hand already.

As for the liquor to use, take your pick of your favorite clear booze. Vodka is always a good choice because it melds nicely with all flavors. Tequila is great, too, especially if you’re gonna use a citrus-flavored drink mix. Rum’s a pretty safe bet. Gin can get tricky because some gins have a strong juniper taste that might not blend smoothly with some drink mix flavors. But you do you.

You can also use sparkling water in place of the Sprite if you’re looking to cut down on sugar and calories. I’ve found that Spindrift has the strongest lime flavor out of all the lime sparkling waters. It’s my fav and would be amazing in a spiked cherry limeade.

So. Go check your pantry for a drink mix. Pair it with your favorite clear liquor. Pour in something bubbly. Now you’ve got yourself an easy 3 ingredient boozy bev.

If you’re looking for another super easy (I’m talkin’ TWO ingredients) cocktail, check out my Blood Orange Tequila Fizz. I also have a whole post with 17 cocktail recipes that call for 4 ingredients or less. It’s one of my most popular blog posts, and for good reason. 17 cocktail recipes that truly anyone can whip up.

This spiked cherry limeade recipe is almost too easy. If you can stir a drink, you can make this cocktail. You might even have the 3 ingredients on hand already.

Ingredients for a Spiked Cherry Limeade

  • 1 packet of cherry limeade drink mix powder (I love this one)
  • 1 1/2 – 2 oz preferred clear liquor (I usually opt for vodka)
  • 4+ oz Sprite

How to Make a Spiked Cherry Limeade

Add ice to a highball or Collins glass. Pour in the drink mix powder, your preferred liquor, and Sprite. Stir until the drink mix is dissolved. Garnish with a lime wheel and a fun paper straw.

Spiked Cherry Limeade

A 3 ingredient recipe that's simple, refreshing, and easy to modify.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 2 mins
Course Drinks
Servings 1

Ingredients
  

  • 1 packet cherry limeade drink mix powder
  • 1½-2 oz preferred clear liquor (I like vodka & tequila with this)
  • 4+ oz Sprite*

Instructions
 

  • Add ice to a highball or Collins glass.
  • Pour in half the drink mix powder, your preferred liquor, and Sprite.
  • Stir until the drink mix is dissolved.
  • Garnish with a lime wheel and a fun paper straw.

Notes

*You can use unsweetened lime sparkling water if you’re wanting to save calories and watch your sugar intake.
Keyword cherry limeade, gin, rum, Sprite, tequila, vodka
This spiked cherry limeade recipe is almost too easy. If you can stir a drink, you can make this cocktail. You might even have the 3 ingredients on hand already.

mocktail

Rowdy Mother | A Refreshing Cocktail or Mocktail Made with a Raspberry Shrub

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The Rowdy Mother is a rejuvenating and healthy cocktail or mocktail made with a raspberry shrub. It's a drink with a bite, thanks to the red wine vinegar in the raspberry shrub; and yet, it's refreshing, too, thanks to the fresh raspberries and sparkling raspberry water.

The Rowdy Mother is a rejuvenating drink made with a raspberry shrub. It can be made as a cocktail by adding booze or kept alcohol-free by leaving it out. It’s a drink with a bite, thanks to the red wine vinegar in the raspberry shrub; and yet, it’s refreshing, too, thanks to the fresh raspberries and sparkling raspberry water.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you buy a product via my affiliate link, I will receive a commission. This is at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I actually like! 

Have you ever heard of a shrub before? And no, I’m not talking about the shabby little bushes you should’ve pulled outta your overgrown flower bed three years ago. I’m talking about the shrubs used in drinks.

Shrubs have been around for millennia but the term has only recently resurfaced in the cocktail world, thanks to the resurgence of craft cocktails. A shrub is a non-alcoholic syrup made from vinegar, sugar, and fruit, and sometimes other spices or aromatics.

They can be used in cocktail recipes, alcohol-free drinks, or drunk on their own. They’re an easy way to impart a lot of bite and flavor to a drink with little effort.

The Rowdy Mother is a rejuvenating and healthy cocktail or mocktail made with a raspberry shrub. It's a drink with a bite, thanks to the red wine vinegar in the raspberry shrub; and yet, it's refreshing, too, thanks to the fresh raspberries and sparkling raspberry water.

Shrubs have long been dubbed as restorative drinks. If you’ve got a few spare minutes, I highly suggest you check out The Ultimate History Project’s article about the history of shrubs and switchels (a fruit-less shrub) in America.

Today, shrubs do provide health benefits. Vinegar is known for its ability to support good digestion and immune health. It also has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties and can lower blood sugar levels. However, not all shrubs are created equal. Some contain “the mother”, or the colony of good bacteria, which means even more of the health benefits are delivered to you.

The Rowdy Mother is a rejuvenating and healthy cocktail or mocktail made with a raspberry shrub. It's a drink with a bite, thanks to the red wine vinegar in the raspberry shrub; and yet, it's refreshing, too, thanks to the fresh raspberries and sparkling raspberry water.

Other Mother Vinegar is one such shrub. Several weeks back, my husband and I took a socially-distanced vacation to our favorite spot– Fredericksburg, Texas. One of the things we like to do if we’re there on a Thursday is check out their farmer’s market. Lisa from Other Mother was there and we got to chat for a second about her product. I had been wanting to try shrubs in cocktail recipes for a while and OM’s shot-sized bottles would make it easy. I bought the ginger and honey shrub and Lisa was kind enough to throw in raspberry shrub, too, and boy am I glad she did!

Other Mother Vinegar is unique amongst other shrub companies because they use red wine vinegar. This makes it taste smoother than shrubs with apple cider vinegar or white vinegar. OMV is also made using Texas wine, which is pretty cool seeing as how I’m a Texan and all. You can read more about Other Mother Vinegar here.

(By the way, this is not a sponsored post. I just love spreading the word about local businesses!)

If you’re looking to up your cocktail or mocktail game, consider buying some shrubs or even making your own. Here’s a recipe my friend Mark sent me. He’s a great mixologist & a good (Insta) friend, too!

Strawberry-Rhubarb Shrub
– 6 oz. rhubarb, cut into 1/4 inch pieces
– 2 oz. fresh strawberries, cut into quarters
– 8 oz sugar
– 8 oz white vinegar
Add all ingredients to a small saucepan and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rhubarb has completely broken down. Take off heat and pour through a fine-mesh strainer. Let the strained shrub cool before storing it. It can be refrigerated for 3-5 days.

Now on to today’s recipe. The Rowdy Mother recipe is a perfect way to enjoy a shrub. It’s easy, fresh, and can be made boozy or kept clean. Your choice. You can certainly sub the raspberry shrub for whatever flavor you have on hand, but if you can find it (or make your own using Mark’s recipe) I think tart raspberry pairs beautifully with the acidic vinegar.

I’ve also gotta point at that the Rowdy Mother is not named after my mom. (Unlike my other vinegar-based drink, Mother’s Garden!) The Mother part comes from the fact that Other Mother Vinegar shrubs contain “the mother”. Although… my mom can be kinda rowdy sometimes. But those are stories for future posts. (JK, mom.)

If you make the Rowdy Mother, be sure to tag me on Instagram!

The Rowdy Mother is a rejuvenating and healthy cocktail or mocktail made with a raspberry shrub. It's a drink with a bite, thanks to the red wine vinegar in the raspberry shrub; and yet, it's refreshing, too, thanks to the fresh raspberries and sparkling raspberry water.

Ingredients for the Rowdy Mother

  • 1 1/2 oz vodka or gin (optional)
  • 1 oz raspberry shrub
  • 3 raspberries
  • 1/4 oz lemon juice
  • 1-3 oz raspberry sparkling water (I used La Croix’s cran-raspberry flavor)

How to Make a Rowdy Mother – A Healthy Cocktail or Mocktail with Raspberry Shrub

Add alcohol (optional), raspberry shrub, raspberries, and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker. Gently (very gently!) muddle the raspberries with a muddler or the back of a spoon. Double-strain* over a lowball glass filled with ice. Top off the glass with the sparkling water.

*Hold a fine mesh strainer over the glass while you pour. This will catch any raspberry seeds and flesh from getting in your glass. Totally an optional step.

Rowdy Mother

A revitalizing cocktail or mocktail made with fresh raspberries, raspberry shrub, and sparkling raspberry water.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 3 mins
Course Drinks
Servings 1

Equipment

  • cocktail shaker
  • fine mesh strainer (optional)

Ingredients
  

  • 1½ oz vodka or gin (optional)
  • 1 oz raspberry shrub*
  • 3 raspberries, plus more for garnish
  • ¼ oz lemon juice
  • 1-3 oz unsweetened raspberry sparkling water**

Instructions
 

  • Add all of the ingredients to a cocktail shaker, except for the sparkling water.
  • Gently (very gently!) muddle the raspberries with a muddler or the back of a spoon.
  • Double-strain using a fine mesh strainer over a lowball glass filled with ice.
  • Top off the glass with the sparkling water.
  • Garnish with additional raspberries.

Notes

*I used Other Mother Vinegar’s raspberry shrub- it’s made with red wine vinegar!
**I used La Croix’s cran-raspberry flavor
Keyword gin, lemon juice, raspberry, rasperry shrub, shrub, vodka
mocktail

Mother’s Garden | A Healthy Cocktail or Alcohol-Free Drink Made with Brighter Tonic

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Mother's Garden is a healthy cocktail or alcohol-free drink made with sparkling apple cider vinegar tonic water, fresh lime juice, cucumber slices, honey, and basil. This bright & refreshing beverage can be made into a cocktail or kept alcohol-free. Click for the recipe and to read about Brighter Tonic, the star ingredient of this drink. #mocktail #healthydrink #applecidervinegar Brighter tonic cocktail recipe | cocktail recipes made with Brighter tonic | sparkling apple cider vinegar drink

The Mother’s Garden is a drink chockfull of fresh, healthy ingredients. It can be made into a healthy cocktail with the addition of vodka or gin, or it can be enjoyed as an alcohol-free drink that’s sure to boost your spirits.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you buy a product via my affiliate link, I will receive a commission. This is at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I actually like! 

There are a lot of cocktails out there that have fresh, healthy ingredients. Gone are the days of heavily-processed syrups and mixes– the American imbiber’s become wiser. We’ve been enlightened to the dangers of trans fat, artificial sweeteners, and pesticides, and we eschew ingredients like artificial coloring and high-fructose corn syrup in favor of those found in nature. Research done by the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2019 shows that Americans are slowly getting better at eating healthy, although this article written by Men’s Health reveals that there’s still a lot of room for improvement.

I think the majority of people do want to eat healthier. So what’s a cocktail-lover to do? Drinking less alcohol is always a good idea. But instead of removing alcohol altogether, there’s another alternative: mix your alcohol with fresh, healthy ingredients.

Mother's Garden is a healthy cocktail or alcohol-free drink made with sparkling apple cider vinegar tonic water, fresh lime juice, cucumber slices, honey, and basil. This bright & refreshing beverage can be made into a cocktail or kept alcohol-free. Click for the recipe and to read about Brighter Tonic, the star ingredient of this drink. #mocktail #healthydrink #applecidervinegar Brighter tonic cocktail recipe | cocktail recipes made with Brighter tonic | sparkling apple cider vinegar drink

This is becoming a lot easier for the American consumer thanks to conscientious companies. There are several that forgo artificial coloring, GMO ingredients, and high-fructose corn syrup like my favorite grenadine company, Bar Smith. Having these kinds of syrup and mixer alternatives is a huge step in the direction of a healthier cocktail. But it doesn’t make a cocktail healthy. You’re spared from consuming fake junk, but you aren’t consuming ingredients with any health benefits.

Enter Brighter Tonic. A beverage that actually delivers the good stuff.

Mother's Garden is a healthy cocktail or alcohol-free drink made with sparkling apple cider vinegar tonic water, fresh lime juice, cucumber slices, honey, and basil. This bright & refreshing beverage can be made into a cocktail or kept alcohol-free. Click for the recipe and to read about Brighter Tonic, the star ingredient of this drink. #mocktail #healthydrink #applecidervinegar Brighter tonic cocktail recipe | cocktail recipes made with Brighter tonic | sparkling apple cider vinegar drink

Brighter Tonic reached out to me a few months ago to see if I’d be interested in trying their product. A quick Google search of the company led me to a speedy reply: YES, PLEASE!

Brighter Tonic is a sparkling apple cider vinegar beverage. Apple cider vinegar is known for its acetic acid which promotes healthy digestion and improves mineral absorption. It’s made with raw organic apple cider vinegar, oils from plants, and maple syrup.

With Brighter Tonic accounting for 50% of the volume in the Mother’s Garden recipe, you can see why I can truthfully call this a healthy cocktail.

Mother's Garden is a healthy cocktail or alcohol-free drink made with sparkling apple cider vinegar tonic water, fresh lime juice, cucumber slices, honey, and basil. This bright & refreshing beverage can be made into a cocktail or kept alcohol-free. Click for the recipe and to read about Brighter Tonic, the star ingredient of this drink. #mocktail #healthydrink #applecidervinegar Brighter tonic cocktail recipe | cocktail recipes made with Brighter tonic | sparkling apple cider vinegar drink

When I took my first sip of Bright (which I captured on an Instagram story), I was really surprised. The word “tonic” in the name made me think it’d taste like tonic water. But it actually tastes similar to kombucha. Ahh. Tonic as in the true definition of the word: a restorative drink that invigorates or strengthens.

I’m a kombucha fanatic and instantly fell in love with this new, healthy elixir.

If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve probably seen me posting about this company. I actually posted a recipe quite similar to Mother’s Garden on an Instagram story. But I’ve been waiting for the day that Brighter Tonic launched their online sales because it didn’t feel right to rave about a fantastic recipe when the general populous had no means to buy the star ingredient.

Friends, that day has come! *cue Hallelujah chorus* You can now get Brighter Tonic shipped right to your door! They have three flavors: lemon lime, blood orange, and lemon ginger turmeric. I suggest getting the sampler pack so you can try them all. I can’t decide which one I like the most so it’s a good thing I’ve got another sampler on the way.

Mother's Garden is a healthy cocktail or alcohol-free drink made with sparkling apple cider vinegar tonic water, fresh lime juice, cucumber slices, honey, and basil. This bright & refreshing beverage can be made into a cocktail or kept alcohol-free. Click for the recipe and to read about Brighter Tonic, the star ingredient of this drink. #mocktail #healthydrink #applecidervinegar Brighter tonic cocktail recipe | cocktail recipes made with Brighter tonic | sparkling apple cider vinegar drink

The point of this post has kinda been to talk about making a healthy cocktail, but you can certainly leave the alcohol out and make it a truly healthy beverage. I’ve made several alcohol-free drinks with Brighter. There are many days when I want something fun but I don’t want a cocktail. The bright (no pun intended) taste of Brighter means you won’t be left with a flavorless mocktail. And all of my alcohol-free friends said THANK YOU.

Perhaps the BEST news in this article is that if you use the code GIRL&TONIC20 between Monday 8-3-20 and Friday 8-7-20, you’ll get 20% off your online order of Brighter Tonic. How awesome is that?! Now you really do have to try it. I mean, it’s discounted. Who doesn’t love saving money?

The reason I’m calling this healthy cocktail or alcohol-free drink Mother’s Garden is two-fold:

1) I first made this recipe at my mom’s house using ingredients from her garden. (She’s actually got a great garden blog, with helpful articles about two of the ingredients in Mother Garden’s: cucumber & basil)

2) This is an alcohol-free drink that my mom is actually able to enjoy. You see, my mom is on a strict AIP (auto-immune protocol) diet due to some autoimmune health issues. This means that a lot of commercial products are off-limits to her, making it tricky to find mixers that agree with her body. However, since Brighter Tonic uses maple syrup as a sweetener, it falls on her “good list”! Big thank you to Brighter for using real, high-quality ingredients. You really stand out.

If you try the Mother’s Garden, or even just Brighter, let me know what you think in the comments below!

Ingredients for a Mother’s Garden Healthy Cocktail or Alcohol-Free Drink

  • 1 1/2 oz gin or vodka (omit for alcohol-free or to be AIP-compliant*)
  • 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 oz honey simple syrup or pure maple syrup
  • 1-2 slices of cucumber
  • 6-8 fresh basil leaves
  • 4 oz lemon-lime Brighter Tonic

*Read this article if you’re curious to see if and when alcohol can be consumed on an AIP diet. Before imbibing, be sure to check with your physician, too.

How to Make a Mother’s Garden Healthy Cocktail or Alcohol-Free Drink

Add the cucumber slices and lime juice to a cocktail shaker. Muddle well, using a muddler or the back of a wooden spoon. Then, add the basil and gently muddle. Add the alcohol (or not), honey simple syrup, and ice. Shake well. Strain into a glass filled with ice. Top the rest of the glass off with the Brighter Tonic. Stir to incorporate. Garnish with a basil spring and a couple slices of lime and cucumber.

Mother’s Garden

A bright, refreshing, & healthy cocktail or alcohol-free drink made with lemon lime Brighter Tonic
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 3 mins
Course Drinks
Servings 1

Equipment

  • cocktail shaker (or other bottle with lid)

Ingredients
  

  • 1½ oz gin or vodka (optional – omit to be AIP-friendly*)
  • ½ oz fresh lime juice
  • ½ oz honey simple syrup** or maple syrup
  • 1-2 slices cucumber
  • 6-8 basil leaves
  • ~4 oz lemon-lime Brighter Tonic***

Instructions
 

  • Add the cucumber slices and lime juice to a cocktail shaker. Muddle well. Don't be afraid to put some muscle into it.
  • Then, add the basil and gently muddle.
  • Add the alcohol (or not), honey simple syrup, and ice. Shake well.
  • Strain into a glass filled with ice.
  • Top the rest of the glass off with the Brighter Tonic. Stir to incorporate.
  • Garnish with a basil spring and a couple slices of lime and cucumber.

Notes

*To learn about if and when alcohol can be consumed while following an AIP diet, you can talk to your physician and read this article.
**Honey simple syrup takes 1 minute to make. Here’s how to do it.
***Here’s the link to order Brighter Tonic online. You can try subbing a lemon-lime kombucha, too.
Keyword basil, Brighter Tonic, cucumber, gin, honey, honey simple syrup, lime, vodka
Mother's Garden is a healthy cocktail or alcohol-free drink made with sparkling apple cider vinegar tonic water, fresh lime juice, cucumber slices, honey, and basil. This bright & refreshing beverage can be made into a cocktail or kept alcohol-free. Click for the recipe and to read about Brighter Tonic, the star ingredient of this drink. #mocktail #healthydrink #applecidervinegar Brighter tonic cocktail recipe | cocktail recipes made with Brighter tonic | sparkling apple cider vinegar drink