Gardening for Cocktails: First Pick - Anise Hyssop and African Blue Basil
In just a month the New Dawn garden has exploded creating a leafy green oasis in my New Orleans backyard. A much needed escape from the world and a place to reset and rejuvenate after all the festivals! The garden is filled with dragonflies and the occasional butterfly, we’ve even got a resident garter snake that has escaped a curious Ruby more than once. Little zuchinnis have also started popping up the last few weeks and the tomatoes and eggplant have just started making their appearance but the herbs are booming as is the anise hyssop!
African Blue Basil
The best part about herbs in the cocktail garden is that they will continue to provide well into winter but that hasn’t stopped the experimentation from starting now. A new addition to the garden this year has been African Blue Basil which has a lighter flavor than traditional Italian basils. I haven’t yet been patient enough to wait for it to go to flower - though it certainly keeps trying - choosing instead to harvest the leaves and top stems to get the plant to bush out a bit more which of course means I have lots on hand for experimentation.
So far it has crept into the Coconut Lemon Bliss - tempering the drinks sweetness and adding a delightful herbal note that makes this cocktail a refreshing sipper for when you’re craving that tropical beach vacation. I also use it on Derby day in the Basil Mint Julep of which I probably had too many since it was a harvest day and I had an abundance of both in the kitchen. I’m also looking forward to peach season so I can try it out in the Bourbon Summer Fruit Smash (aka the Bourbon Smoothie)!
Anise Hyssop
Another early riser has been the anise hyssop whose purple flowers have given it prominence next to my Adirondack chair for whenever I need a pop of color in my life. There are two signature cocktails making an appearance this month featuring anise hyssop. The Raspberry Anise Fizz coming out this Friday is sure to delight with a faint hint of anise elevating juicy raspberries for a cocktail that just screams summer. Definitely pulling this one out after a hot day working in the yard! Anise hyssop also features in the Strawberry Bourbon Bloom at the end of the month. A quick anise hyssop syrup elevates this cocktail and a sprinkle of flowers on top brings delicate notes of honeysuckle that will be sure to delight. I have a feeling we’ll be seeing quite a bit of anise hyssop this summer since its flavor reminds me of my beloved absinthe without having to add the extra alcohol making for lighter bourbon cocktails for these warmer months. Oh! And if you can’t find anise hyssop grab a bulb of fennel which makes a lovely substitute especially if you can get one with fronds for garnish.
