Rosemary is one of those herbs that’s never been on my radar untiI I started experimenting with Rosemary cocktails (then it took on the size of a 747). A robust herb that features a woody stem and needles similar to a pine tree, it may not be the first herb that comes to mind when mixing drinks, but it should be.
Rosemary has a fascinating history too. In the Middle Ages it was thought to be a love charm due to a close association with weddings, but in modern times it’s been a symbol of remembrance. Whatever the case, you’ll have a couple interesting facts to convey as you mix Rosemary cocktails for your guests.
What Does Rosemary Taste Like?
Rosemary has a very distinct flavor that has been described in many different ways. Strongly aromatic, I’d describe it as piney with a slightly peppery taste; there’s also a camphor-like quality which I associate to Vick’s VapoRub, but that’s my problem not yours 😉
That said, overall it’s a very unique and distinct flavor that most people find pleasing and works well in a number of different herb cocktails.
How to Pronounce Rosemary
The pronunciation of the term Rosemary is uncomplicated, especially with an understanding of how it was named. The Legend says that the Virgin Mary spread her cloak over a white flowering bush; when the flowers turned the blue of her cloak the bush was the referred to as the “Rose of Mary”. But you can check the pronunciation for yourself:
Rosemary Cocktail Flavor Pairings
Used in many different types of dishes, Rosemary has proven itself to be diverse in the kitchen and that holds true for your home bar too. Generally it will work well with sweet, acidic flavors like citrus (Lemon, Lime & Orange), cranberry and tomato. I’ve also heard that the flavor of fresh apple really shines in Rosemary cocktails, but I haven’t experimented with that (yet).
2 Rosemary Cocktails to Get You Started
Sure Rosemary’s use with roasted meats and poultry might make you think about drinks for cooler temperatures, but it’s a killer ingredient for some delicious warm weather cocktails. Recently I’ve enjoyed combining it with lemon; hopefully you’ll enjoy these summer drinks too.
Rosemary Lemontini
Everyone loves the concept of a Martini but the idea of essentially drinking straight liquor can be off-putting to the beginning cocktailer. Enter the herby Rosemary Lemontini…
An easy to create cocktail that everyone will enjoy, this Martini knock-off requires minimal preparation but looks and tastes wonderful. I’ve found that using Rosemary-infused simple syrup (as mentioned in the Herb Cocktails Guide) is a good way to get great flavor without picking needles out of your mouth. Regardless, there’s no doubt your guests will love this one and it looks cool in the Martini glass.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. Vodka
- 2 Tbsp. Lemon Juice
- 2 Tbsp. Simple Syrup
- 2 Sprigs Rosemary
- Crushed Ice
- Lemon Twist
Preparation:
- Combine Vodka, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, and 1 Sprig Rosemary in a Shaker
- Fill Shaker With Ice and Shake 20 – 30 Times.
- Strain Into a Chilled Martini Glass
- Garnished with Lemon Twist and Rosemary
Rosemary Gin Fizz Cocktail
Another great warm weather option for those that enjoy Gin is this take on the classic Gin Fiz. Once again Rosemary-infused simple syrup is used to get full flavor without the woody bits.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. Gin
- ½ oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
- ½ oz. Rosemary Simple Syrup
- Ice
- 3 oz. Club Soda
- 1 Lemon Slice (garnish)
- 1 Rosemary Sprig (garnish)
Preparation:
- Combine Gin, Lemon Juice and Simple Syrup in a Cocktail Shaker With Ice
- Shake Briskly
- Strain Into an 8 oz Glass Filled with Ice
- Garnish with a Lemon slice and Rosemary Sprig
