Summer is the perfect time to kick back, relax, and enjoy refreshing cocktails with friends and family. But why settle for store-bought herbs when you can grow your own? Our new Sunny Cocktail Garden Variety Pack makes it easy to grow herbs at home with your Rise Garden, and here are a few reasons why you should give it a try:
- Freshness: When you grow your own herbs, you can be sure that they are fresh and full of flavor. Store-bought herbs can often be dry and lack the bold taste that you want in your cocktails. According to research from Cornell University's Controlled Environment Agriculture program, hydroponically grown herbs retain significantly higher essential oil concentrations than herbs that have been harvested, packaged, and shipped through conventional supply chains. With an indoor herb garden, you can pick herbs right before using them, ensuring that you get the most flavor possible.
- Convenience: Having an indoor herb garden means that you can have fresh herbs at your fingertips whenever you need them. No more last-minute trips to the grocery store or settling for dried herbs - just head to your garden and pick what you need. Indoor basil and mint typically reach harvest maturity in just 21–28 days, meaning you can go from seed pods to cocktail-ready herbs in under a month.
- Cost-effective: Growing your own herbs can be a cost-effective alternative to buying them at the store. Our Sunny Cocktail Garden Variety Pack is a great way to get started, and you can continue to grow herbs throughout the summer and beyond. Plus, hydroponic systems use up to 95% less water than traditional soil gardening, which means lower resource costs over time — and you'll save money on gas and other expenses associated with buying herbs at the store.
- Sustainability: By growing your own herbs, you're reducing your carbon footprint and supporting sustainability efforts. When you buy herbs at the store, they often come in plastic packaging and have traveled long distances to get to you. The USDA has recognized controlled-environment agriculture as a key strategy for reducing food miles and packaging waste in the fresh herb supply chain. Growing your own herbs eliminates these environmental concerns and allows you to enjoy fresh herbs without the guilt.
So why not try growing your own herbs for summer cocktails with our Sunny Cocktail Garden Variety Pack? You'll get fresh, flavorful herbs, convenient access, cost savings, and sustainability benefits - all while enjoying delicious cocktails all summer long. Happy growing!
Frequently Asked Questions
What herbs are best for growing for cocktails?
The best herbs for cocktail gardening include mint in all its varieties, basil, lemon verbena, lavender, rosemary, thyme, and tarragon, all of which add distinctive aromatic complexity to drinks. These herbs all grow exceptionally well in a Rise Garden, providing a continuous supply of fresh garnishes and muddling herbs throughout the year. Having fresh herbs on hand encourages cocktail creativity and dramatically elevates homemade drinks compared to using dried or store-bought alternatives.
How do you use fresh mint in cocktails?
Fresh mint is most commonly used in cocktails by muddling — gently pressing the leaves in the bottom of a glass with a muddler or wooden spoon to release the essential oils without shredding the leaves. For drinks like mojitos, mint juleps, and southsides, muddled mint provides the aromatic backbone of the entire cocktail. Grow spearmint for most cocktail applications and peppermint for a stronger, more menthol-forward punch.
Can you grow lavender indoors in a Rise Garden?
Lavender can be grown indoors in a Rise Garden, though it requires excellent light exposure and slightly drier root conditions than moisture-loving herbs like basil. English lavender varieties tend to perform best in hydroponic setups, and harvesting the flower stems just as the blooms begin to open captures peak fragrance. Fresh lavender adds a beautiful floral complexity to summer lemonades, gin-based cocktails, and simple syrups.
How do you make an herb-infused simple syrup for cocktails?
To make herb-infused simple syrup, combine equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan, heat until the sugar dissolves, then remove from heat and steep your chosen fresh herb for 15 to 30 minutes before straining. Mint, lavender, rosemary, and basil all produce exceptional syrups that can be refrigerated for up to two weeks. The freshness of home-grown herbs from a Rise Garden makes a noticeable difference in the vibrancy and complexity of the final syrup.
