There are so many garnishes you can use to spruce up a cocktail – from citrus slices, to little paper umbrellas, to sprigs of herbs. But edible flowers are one of our favorites. They look beautiful, and they can also magically change the color of the cocktail. As most plants do, they also come with health benefits. (You probably won’t be using enough to really affect you, but if you can add even a bit of nutrition to a drink, why not?) Below are some great edible flowers for cocktails and where you can find them.
Do You Add the Flowers Before or After Mixing the Drink?
The timing of adding the flowers depends on what you’re trying to get out of them. If you just want them to serve as a decoration, add them right before drinking or serving so they float beautifully on top. If you want them to change the color of your cocktail (some do – we’ll explain below) then feel free to throw them in your cocktail shaker while you’re mixing so they can really infuse the liquid.
Fun Edible Flowers To Throw In Your Next Cocktail
1 . Butterfly Pea Flowers
This is our absolute favorite edible flower for cocktails. It doesn’t have a strong flavor, but it’s what it does to the color of the drink that’s so fascinating. Add a few butterfly pea flowers, stir them around, and they’ll turn the liquid a beautiful purplish blue color.
What Is the Butterfly Pea Flower and How Does It Work?
This flower is common in Asian countries, but it’s quickly becoming trendy everywhere. The deep colors of the flower can be used as natural dyes for any food or drink, cocktails included. The color change seems to be dependent upon the pH of whatever you’re adding it to. For example, adding it to water will give you more of a blue color, wine will be more purple, and adding it to clear soda will yield a more pink result.
Health Benefits
It is said that the butterfly pea flower is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. Digestive and respiratory tracks are also known to get a boost from this flower. If you’re putting these petals in a cocktail, you probably won’t be consuming enough to see massive benefits, but hey, might as well add a little health to your drinks!
Butterfly Pea Cocktail Example
2. Hibiscus Flowers
The hibiscus flower is popular in drinks for both its color and flavor. It adds a beautiful pink-red shade to whatever it’s added to, as well as a tasty tart flavor similar to cranberries. It’s often used in teas, but adding hibiscus flowers or even making a hibiscus simple syrup can make a pretty great cocktail!
Health Benefits
Hibiscus is another flower that’s loaded with antioxidants. Fight disease while enjoying a delicious drink? Yes please. They’re said to also be good for blood pressure levels and fat levels.
Hibiscus Cocktail Examples:
3. Rose Petals
Rose petals are a fun addition to any cocktail. They don’t have a strong flavor, but they add a nice shade of pink. They’re more decorative than anything else, but they can add a touch of whimsy to a drink as well as lending a few health benefits.
Health Benefits
Rose petals have been seen to help digestive problems, as well as helping with sleep and mood. They’re also a good source of healthy vitamins like Vitamin A, C, and E.
Rose Petal Cocktail Example
4. Lavender Flowers
Lavender is popular for its strong scent, but it can also add some flavor and color to your favorite cocktail. One of the most common liquor pairings for lavender is gin, a nice lavender Tom Collins for example.
Health Benefits
One of lavender’s most well known qualities is that it can improve sleep, as it also works to limit anxiety and restlessness. It can also help with inflammation, blood pressure, and hearth health.
Lavender Cocktail Example
5. Chamomile Flowers
Chamomile is another popular tea flavoring, but it’s also great in a cold cocktail! They don’t add much color, but they can look really nice floating in a drink. Plus, they bring a subtle sweetness to whatever they’re steeped in.
Health Benefits
Chamomile can be good for lowering blood sugar and reducing inflammation. It’s also said chamomile can help with menstrual pain. That’s right, ladies, we’re telling you a nice chamomile cocktail during your least favorite week can do more than lift your mood!
Chamomile Cocktail Example
6. Variety Pack
If you’re looking to try a variety of edible flowers, you can grab a pack with several types – including this one with jasmine, rose, lavender, marigold, and chamomile. It comes with enough flowers to try them individually with several different cocktails, or experiment with fun combinations.
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