Can you imagine mojito without the cool, refreshing kick of mint? Some recipes claim to be mint-less versions of this drink, but most only substitute with a different herb or fruit. This goes to show how nature provides the best ingredients for our cocktails.
Herbs, fruits, and botanicals add depth and rich flavors to these drinks, offering a different but immersive way of enjoying nature’s beauty and complexity. Rather than serving as mere garnish, they add a natural sweetness and deliver a vibrant twist to familiar beverages.
Want to learn how to make nature-inspired cocktails? Below are some recipes we crafted based on our experience supplying cocktail ingredients for all kinds of soirees.
1. Rising Sun Fizz
Have you ever been to Japan? This cocktail will take you there and back, thanks to a refreshing blend of tang from yuzu citrus and the honeyed notes of Johnnie Walker Gold. The addition of the egg white gives it a creamy texture. It also comes with an effervescent kick to complete the entire package, with the help of Fever-Tree Sicilian Lemonade.
Ingredients:
- About 1¾ ounces (1.69 oz.) Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve Whisky
- 1/2 ounce (0.51 oz.) Yuzu Citrus Seasoning (alternative: fresh lemon juice with a pinch of sea salt)
- 0.169 ounce fresh lemon juice
- 0.169 ounce simple sugar syrup
- 1 ounce egg white
- Fever-Tree Sicilian Lemonade to top up
- Lemon wedge to garnish
How to Make It
- Mix all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker except the lemonade. Add ice and shake well.
- Strain the liquid into a rocks glass over ice and top up with the lemonade.
- Garnish with a lemon wedge, as desired.
2. Twice-Told Shim
If you’re looking for a drink that can get conversations started, try twice-told shim. This one is a layered, intriguing mix that combines the herbal and nutty sweetness of gin and orgeat (almond syrup) with the malty depth of Scotch ale.
Ingredients:
- 1½ ounces (1.5 oz.) gin
- 1/2 ounce (0.5 oz.) Punch alla Fiamma
- 1/2 ounce (0.5 oz.) orgeat
- 1/2 ounce (0.5 oz.) fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 ounce (0.5 oz.) rich simple syrup
- 1 ounce Scotch ale
- Fresh strawberry to garnish
- Lemon wheel to garnish
How to Make It
- Pour the gin, punch, orgeat, lemon juice and syrup into a shaker with ice. Shake thoroughly.
- Add the Scotch ale.
- Fill a rocks glass to the brim with crushed ice. Then, strain and pour the drink into it.
- Garnish with half a strawberry and lemon wheel.
3. Nueva Paloma
Enjoy paloma with a twist! Nueva paloma combines pink grapefruit juice and Tequila Ocho Blanco, offering a perfect balance of boldness and zest. It has a natural sweetness from the agave nectar and a vibrant appearance that makes your mouth water.
Ingredients:
- 1¾ ounces (1.7 oz.) Tequila Ocho Blanco
- 1/2 ounce (0.5 oz.) fresh lime juice
- 1/3 ounce (0.3 oz.) agave nectar
- 1¾ (1.7 oz.) ounces fresh pink grapefruit juice
- Fever-Tree Sicilian Lemon Tonic to top up
- Fresh mint leaf to garnish
How to Make It
- Prepare a sea salt-rimmed highball glass.
- Pour the Tequila Ocho Blanco, fresh lime juice, agave nectar, and fresh pink grapefruit juice into the glass.
- Top up with Fever-Tree Sicilian Lemon Tonic.
- Garnish with a grapefruit slice and fresh mint leaf.
4. Tarragon and Pomegranate Fizz
Ever tasted a drink with both fruit and herbs? Try this crisp and refreshing tarragon and pomegranate fizz filled with flavor contrast.
The combination of the peach schnapps and vodka gives it a smooth, fruity base. The Fever-Tree Aromatic Tonic brings it to a sparkling finish, adding a slight bitterness to balance it all out.
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce vodka
- 1/3 ounce (0.3 oz.) peach schnapps
- 1/3 ounce (0.3 oz.) pomegranate juice
- 1/3 ounce (0.3 oz.) fresh lime juice
- 1/3 ounce (0.3 oz.) Fever-Tree Aromatic Tonic Water
- Lime wedge to garnish
- Tarragon sprig to garnish
How to Make It
- Fill a highball glass with ice.
- Pour in the vodka, peach schnapps, pomegranate juice, fresh lime juice, and Fever-Tree Aromatic Tonic Water.
- Stir gently before adding the lime wedge and tarragon sprig.
Enjoy Nature’s Flavors
Are you looking for something tart and refreshing? Or perhaps rich and layered is more your style? While each cocktail has its own vibe, all of them are inspired by Mother Nature’s gifts.
Ready to give these a try? Get the quality ingredients you need to create these refreshing drinks, from vodka, gin, rum, and tequila to wine and aperitifs in Abu Dhabi. Stock up on spirits and other cocktail-making ingredients at City Drinks.
