Garden Herb Fresh Mocktails

Utilize your herb garden to create some refreshing summer mocktails to enjoy on the patio. Many of the herbs that you’ll harvest and chop up for your summer favorite meals will add a little something extra to a non-alcoholic refresher.
Wondering what herbs to plant? Some of the must-have herbs for summery beverages are mint, basil, thyme and rosemary.

Make sure to pay attention to what herbs thrive together if you are planting in the same garden or planter. Herbs like basil, rosemary and thyme can be planted together in a sunny spot where they’ll enjoy some afternoon shade 12 to 18 inches apart.

Mint also likes sun with some partial shade in the afternoon. When you plant mint, plant at least 2 feet away from other plants, and a greater distance from your vegetables. Mints roots are called runners; they are very invasive if you don’t maintain them and they can quickly take over your garden.

Here are 5 of our must-try garden-fresh mocktails that will soon become your summertime favorites:

Strawberry Mojito (created by our friends at Vanilla & Bean)

Ingredients for Strawberry Mojitos
• Homemade mint simple syrup (sugar, water and mint)
• Fresh chopped strawberries, plus a half to garnish
• Fresh Mint, plus leaves to garnish
• Wedges of Fresh Lime
• Crushed Ice
• Club Soda

Steps:
• First, make the mint simple syrup recipe and allow it to cool (sugar, water and mint leaves).
• Second, in a highball glass, layer the mint, lime wedges, simple, and strawberries. Muddle until the strawberry and lime juice is released.
• Next, top with ice then fill club soda to the rim.
• Last, garnish with mint leaves, a strawberry and lime.

Basil Lime Smash Mocktail (from our friends at Moody Mixologist)

Ingredients:
• 12 Basil leaves
• 5 Green grapes
• 1 oz Freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 oz Simple syrup
• Sparkling water

Steps:
• In a cocktail shaker, muddle basil leaves and lime juice vigorously. Add grapes and muddle thoroughly.
• Add simple syrup and fill shaker 3/4 with ice. Shake until chilled, about 12 seconds.
• Fine strain into a cocktail glass and top with an ounce or two of sparkling water. Garnish with basil an edible flowers, if desired.

Steps:
– In a glass, gently muddle the fresh rosemary to release its aroma.
– Fill the glass with ice cubes.
– Pour in the lemon juice, orange juice, and simple syrup.
– Give the mixture a gentle stir with a bar spoon to combine the flavours.
– Top off the glass with sparkling water for a refreshing fizz.
– Garnish with a lemon slice and a sprig of fresh rosemary.
– Gently stir just before serving.

Steps:
– In a glass, gently muddle the fresh basil leaves to release their aroma.
– Add the mixed berries to the glass and lightly muddle to extract their juices.
– Fill the glass with ice cubes.
– Pour in the lime juice and agave syrup.
– Stir gently to blend.
– Top off the glass with a splash of tap or bottled water.
– Garnish with a sprig of fresh basil and a few extra berries.

Summer Basil Lemonade (courtesy of All Recipes)

Ingredients for 12 servings:
• 12 cups cold water
• Fresh squeezed lemons (10 or more) or 1 (12 ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
• ⅓ cup white sugar
• ¼ cup fresh lime juice
• ½ cup firmly packed torn basil leaves

Steps:
• Stir water, lemonade, sugar, and lime juice together in a pitcher.
• Next, add 1/2 cup basil leaves and stir to combine.
• Last, cover the pitcher and refrigerate until flavors combine, 8 hours to overnight.
• Remove basil leaves and discard before serving.