Nothing beats that first sip of a gin martini. That is, until you make that gin martini with a botanical-infused gin. Whether you opt for a colorful butterfly pea gin, a rosemary gin, or even lilac, there are new gin flavors to explore. So consider a botanical gin recipe or two for your own gin collection.
Elderflower-infused Botanical Gin
Few flowers are more notable, light, and slightly sweet than the elderflower. Once you add this to your gin, you might never go back.
Ingredients
- Seven to 10 fresh, large elderflower sprigs
- 750mL gin
- Two large, clean bottles or jars
- Cheesecloth or other fine strainer
- Funnel
Instructions
- Clean elderflower sprigs and allow to air dry.
- In a large, clean bottle or jar, add elderflower sprigs and gin.
- Be sure to seal tightly, then gently shake to mix the ingredients.
- Store in a cool, dark place for approximately three to four days, giving the infusion a firm shake every day.
- Before straining, sample the flavors by pouring the infusion into a glass. If you want more flavor, allow the elderflower to steep for longer.
- Otherwise, carefully remove elderflowers and discard them.
- Funnel the infused gin into the second clean bottle, filtering with the cheesecloth.
- Carefully seal and store in a cool, dry place.
You can use the infused botanical gin immediately. You can store any unused gin in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dark place for approximately one to two years before the flavor diminishes. Discard when the flavor starts to fade or tastes "off."
Lilac-Infused Botanical Gin
Turn the short lilac season into a year-long experience by infusing your gin with that fleeting botanical flavor.
Ingredients
- ½ cup fresh lilac blossoms, approximately six to 10 lilac sprigs
- 750mL gin
- Two large, clean bottles or jars
- Cheesecloth or other fine strainer
- Funnel
Instructions
- In a large, clean jar or bottle, add clean lilac blossoms and gin and tightly seal.
- Give the mix a gentle shake.
- Store in a cool, dry place for approximately three to four days, gently shaking the container each day.
- After the infusion has steeped, pour a small amount into a glass to sample. If it meets your expectations, funnel and strain ingredients into a second clean jar or bottle. Otherwise, allow the ingredients to steep further.
Rose-Infused Botanical Gin
Whether or not everything is coming up roses, you'll sure look at the world with rose-tinted glasses after one sip of rose gin. It also makes for an excellent gin martini.
Ingredients
- ½ cup dried rose buds or 2 cups fresh rose petals
- 750mL gin
- Two large, clean bottles or jars
- Cheesecloth or other fine strainer
- Funnel
Instructions
- If using fresh rose petals, wash and allow to air dry.
- In a large, clean jar or bottle, add rose petals or buds and gin and tightly seal.
- Give the mix a gentle shake.
- Store in a cool, dry place for approximately three to four days, gently shaking the container each day.
- After the infusion has steeped, pour a small amount into a glass to sample. If it meets your expectations, funnel and strain ingredients into a second clean jar or bottle. Otherwise, allow the ingredients to steep further.
Butterfly Pea Flower-Infused Botanical Gin
Although butterfly pea flower gin does exist on the market, it doesn't hurt to make your own at home. You can control just how much flavor or color you'd like in your own personalized bottle.
Ingredients
- 12 to 16 dried butterfly pea flowers
- 750mL gin
- Two large, clean bottles or jars
- Cheesecloth or other fine strainer
- Funnel
Instructions
- In a large, clean jar or bottle, add butterfly pea flowers and gin and tightly seal.
- Give the mix a gentle shake.
- Store in a cool, dry place for approximately three to four days, gently shaking the container each day.
- After the infusion has steeped, pour a small amount into a glass to sample. If it meets your expectations, funnel and strain ingredients into a second clean jar or bottle. Otherwise, allow the ingredients to steep further.
Hibiscus-Infused Botanical Gin
Hibiscus is more than meets the eye. Despite its stunning colors, it walks the line between sweet and subtly sour.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup dried hibiscus flowers
- 750mL gin
- Two large, clean bottles or jars
- Cheesecloth or other fine strainer
- Funnel
Instructions
- In a large, clean jar or bottle, add dried hibiscus flower and gin and tightly seal.
- Give the mix a gentle shake.
- Store in a cool, dry place for approximately three to four days, gently shaking the container each day.
- After the infusion has steeped, pour a small amount into a glass to sample. If it meets your expectations, funnel and strain ingredients into a second clean jar or bottle. Otherwise, allow the ingredients to steep further.
Fennel-Infused Botanical Gin
Fennel is nature's licorice. Its bold anise flavors are a strong match for gin's juniper notes, making it a stunning botanical match.
Ingredients
- One to three fennel bulbs, sliced
- 750mL gin
- Two large, clean bottles or jars
- Cheesecloth or other fine strainer
- Funnel
Instructions
- In a large, clean jar or bottle, add sliced fennel bulbs and gin and tightly seal.
- Give the mix a gentle shake.
- Store in a cool, dry place for approximately three to four days, gently shaking the container each day.
- After the infusion has steeped, pour a small amount into a glass to sample. If it meets your expectations, funnel and strain ingredients into a second clean jar or bottle. Otherwise, allow the ingredients to steep further.
Lemongrass-Infused Botanical Gin
Lemongrass has a beautiful citrus lemon flavor with a touch of mint. Talk about layering flavors effortlessly.
Ingredients
- Three to five fresh lemongrass stalks, cut into thirds
- 750mL gin
- Two large, clean bottles or jars
- Cheesecloth or other fine strainer
- Funnel
Instructions
- In a large, clean jar or bottle, add cut lemongrass stalks and gin and tightly seal.
- Give the mix a gentle shake.
- Store in a cool, dry place for approximately three to four days, gently shaking the container each day.
- After the infusion has steeped, pour a small amount into a glass to sample. If it meets your expectations, funnel and strain ingredients into a second clean jar or bottle. Otherwise, allow the ingredients to steep further.
Rosemary-Infused Botanical Gin
It's a no-brainer; rosemary and gin go hand-in-hand. This infused gin instantly elevates any highball, martini, or cocktail without lifting a finger.
Ingredients
- Three to five fresh rosemary sprigs
- 750mL gin
- Two large, clean bottles or jars
- Cheesecloth or other fine strainer
- Funnel
Instructions
- In a large, clean jar or bottle, add rosemary sprigs and gin and tightly seal.
- Give the mix a gentle shake.
- Store in a cool, dry place for approximately three to four days, gently shaking the container each day.
- After the infusion has steeped, pour a small amount into a glass to sample. If it meets your expectations, funnel and strain ingredients into a second clean jar or bottle. Otherwise, allow the ingredients to steep further.
Cucumber-Infused Botanical Gin
Make your house gin a little crisper and a little more refreshing with a pantry staple. There's no excuse not to try!
Ingredients
- 1½ peeled and sliced cucumbers
- 750mL gin
- Two large, clean bottles or jars
- Cheesecloth or other fine strainer
- Funnel
Instructions
- In a large, clean jar or bottle, add sliced cucumbers and gin and tightly seal.
- Give the mix a gentle shake.
- Store in a cool, dry place for approximately three to four days, gently shaking the container each day.
- After the infusion has steeped, pour a small amount into a glass to sample. If it meets your expectations, funnel and strain ingredients into a second clean jar or bottle. Otherwise, allow the ingredients to steep further.
Basil-Infused Botanical Gin
As your basil flourishes, spare a few cuttings from cooking in favor of tossing the basil into a bottle of gin for an herbaceous and earthy infusion.
Ingredients
- Four to six fresh sprigs of basil
- 750mL gin
- Two large, clean bottles or jars
- Cheesecloth or other fine strainer
- Funnel
Instructions
- In a large, clean jar or bottle, add basil sprigs and gin and tightly seal.
- Give the mix a gentle shake.
- Store in a cool, dry place for approximately three to four days, gently shaking the container each day.
- After the infusion has steeped, pour a small amount into a glass to sample. If it meets your expectations, funnel and strain ingredients into a second clean jar or bottle. Otherwise, allow the ingredients to steep further.
Sage-Infused Botanical Gin
Adding a handful of sage to a bottle of gin doesn't add a single flavor; it adds notes of peppery mint, lemon, and eucalyptus to the mix with just a single herb.
Ingredients
- Three to five large sprigs fresh sage
- 750mL gin
- Two large, clean bottles or jars
- Cheesecloth or other fine strainer
- Funnel
Instructions
- In a large, clean jar or bottle, add sage sprigs and gin and tightly seal.
- Give the mix a gentle shake.
- Store in a cool, dry place for approximately three to four days, gently shaking the container each day.
- After the infusion has steeped, pour a small amount into a glass to sample. If it meets your expectations, funnel and strain ingredients into a second clean jar or bottle. Otherwise, allow the ingredients to steep further.
Variations of Botanical-Infused Gin
Gin already adds juniper flavor to the infusion, but continue to add to your botanical flavors with berries, fruits, and other ingredients to make yours one of a kind.
- Pair your floral notes with berries. Add a half to a full cup of cut blackberries, cranberries, blueberries, pitted cherries cut in half, or hulled and sliced strawberries.
- Put a fruity spin on your botanical flavors. Add a cup of sliced apples or pears, pitted and sliced peaches or plums, or a whole cup of pomegranate seeds.
- You can include two to three whole, sliced lemons or limes for bright citrus flavors. Add a whole, sliced orange or two to three whole, sliced clementines for a sweet citrus flavor.
- Make your gin a little sweeter with a half cup of honey, maple syrup, or agave.
- Add a complex flavor by using two tablespoons of loose-leaf or three tea bags of Earl Grey tea.
- Ginger adds a snappy layer of flavor. Include a tablespoon or two of peeled and sliced fresh ginger.
Botanical-infused Gin Flavor Pairings
Layer botanical flavors together or with other ingredients to create a surefire flavor. This list doesn't include all possible combinations, but it makes for a great place to start.
- Sage + apple
- Lilac + lemon
- Elderflower + blueberry
- Butterfly pea flower + lemongrass
- Sage + lemon
- Rosemary + strawberry
- Elderflower + pear
- Sage + rosemary
- Rose + grapefruit
- Lilac + lemongrass
- Fennel + lemon
- Lemongrass + basil
- Lilac + honey
- Rose + orange
- Hibiscus + raspberry
- Lemongrass + vanilla
- Butterfly pea flower + cinnamon
- Elderflower + lemon
- Rosemary + orange
- Hibiscus + orange
- Rosemary + lavender
- Fennel + apple
- Lemongrass + honey
- Rose + cucumber
Botanical-infused Gin Cocktails
You can enjoy your newly infused botanical gin on its own, but why not explore those flavors in a martini or cocktail?
Botanical Fizz
Break out the cucumber or another botanical gin for this light and bubbly blossoming garden in a glass.
Ingredients
- One to three fresh mint leaves
- 2 ounces cucumber-infused gin
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- Ice
- Raspberry club soda to top off
- Lime wheel and raspberries for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle mint leaves with simple syrup.
- Add ice, cucumber gin, and lime juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Pour into swizzle glass -- do not strain.
- Top off with raspberry club soda.
- Garnish with raspberries and lime wheel.
Butterfly Garden Collins
Let your stunning and unique butterfly pea flower infusion shine in this berry-flavored Collins.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces butterfly pea flower-infused gin
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce blueberry liqueur
- Ice
- Club soda to top off
- Mint sprig and blueberries for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, butterfly pea flower gin, lime juice, and blueberry liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into highball glass over fresh ice.
- Top off with club soda.
- Garnish with mint sprig and blueberries.
Elderflower Fizz
If elderflower doesn't do it for you, go ahead and swap it for any of the floral gins, including lilac or hibiscus, for this upgraded gin-and-tonic riff. Don't forget to garnish with the corresponding blossom.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces elderflower-infused gin
- ¾ ounce pear liqueur
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 3 ounces tonic water
- Ice
- Elderflower sprig for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail glass, add ice, elderflower gin, pear liqueur, lemon juice, and tonic water.
- Stir to mix.
- Garnish with elderflower sprig.
A Sage Bee
Take your classic bee's knees to school with a little sage advice -- or, you know, sage gin.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces sage-infused gin
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ ounce honey syrup
- Ice
- Sage sprig and lemon wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add sage gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup.
- Shake well to dissolve honey syrup and chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with sage sprig and lemon wheel.
Mixers for Botanical Gin Drinks
Some days are too long and difficult to deal with a formal recipe. With just a mixer or two, your botanical gin will spring to life.
- Tonic water
- Lemonade
- Limeade
- Plain club soda
- Flavored club soda, such as lemon, lime, orange, vanilla, coconut, or berry
- Lemon-lime soda
- Tea
- Vermouth
- Orange liqueur
- Simple syrup
- Honey
- Maple syrup
- Apple cider
- Pear nectar
- Peach nectar
- Lime juice
- Lemon juice
- Elderflower liqueur
A Bouquet of Botanical-infused Gin
Build your bouquet of botanical gin with herbaceous rosemary or fragrant hibiscus. However you cultivate your garden, there's no wrong place to start. After all, this may be the best solution to an abundance in your flourishing garden. Not only will your gin be filled with new flavors, but your social media feed will be blossoming with bottles and flowers.
