Is there anything more disappointing than mixing yourself a cocktail at home and realizing you don’t have that last ingredient? The garnish. A twist of lemon peel, a squeeze of lime wedge, or a sprig of mint just makes the drink. Sure, you’ll still drink it, but it’s just not the same. The best part of having a well-stocked home bar is that you’re always just a few minutes away from your favorite cocktail, whether it’s a Manhattan, Old Fashioned, or Mojito. But you’re not alone if you don’t always have garnishes on the brain when you’re buying weekly groceries. A garnish garden stocks your kitchen windowsill or backyard with all the herbs, vegetables, and even citrus perfect for cocktails.

Herb Garnishes

Indoor herb gardens are a lot easier to set up than you might expect. Even if you’re short on space, you can still grow fresh herbs for not only your cocktails but also for your kitchen. Focus on the cocktails you enjoy and herbs that will provide the most versatility in drinks, then set the plants up in small pots along windowsills for the best sunlight. Here are some of our favorites, and the cocktails they work well in:

  • Basil: Gimlet, Margarita, Bloody Mary. You must plant new seeds every few weeks for fresh leaves, but between cooking and cocktails, we bet you won’t mind.
  • Mint: Mojito, Julep, Caipirinha, Tom Collins. There are myriad varieties but we like spearmint best.
  • Rosemary: Negroni, Manhattan, Paloma. Grow this herb year-round in bright light. If you love smoky cocktails, ignite a rosemary sprig to transform your favorite stirred spirit-forward drinks.
  • Thyme: Bee’s Knees, G&T, French 75. Not only does it add something extra to cocktails, but it’s also a beautiful houseplant.

 

Vegetables for Cocktails

If you have space for a vegetable bed, grow these plants for fresh garden-to-glass garnishes:

  • Cucumber: Gimlet, Tom Collins, Margarita, G&T. This refreshing veggie can be muddled to elevate summer cocktails, especially gin. Then garnish with a cumber ribbon.
  • Jalapeno: Margarita, Daiquiri, Bloody Mary, Tom Collins. Shake any summer cocktail with a few slices of pepper to add a little kick of spiciness.
  • Pearl onions: Gibson, Bloody Mary. Throw pearl onions into a quick pickle, and they’re a unique way to add sweetness and acidity to a cocktail. 

Growing Citrus Indoors

Citrus Tree

Citrus is king for garnishes, and even if you’re not in the right climate, you can still grow a citrus tree indoors. They need plenty of light, eight to ten hours a day, and good airflow. You can also turn a single tree into a cornucopia of lemons, lime, and even oranges. By grafting limbs from separate species together, your garnish tree will grow a variety of fruit up to four times a year. You can use fresh juice in drinks and garnish with peels, wedges, and wheels. Plus, they’re beautiful plants that smell great:

  • Lemon: Tom Collins, Lemon Drop, Shandy, Bee’s Knees. Bright acidity is never better than when it’s fresh. 
  • Lime: Margarita, Daiquiri, G&T, Gimlet, Caipirinha. Tequila, rum, and gin all come alive when mixed with lime juice, even more so when it’s fresh. 
  • Orange: Manhattan, Cosmopolitan, Old Fashioned, Mimosa. The oils from orange peels add depth and sweetness to any stirred cocktail. Or have some fun and flame a twist for guests at a cocktail party.