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Borage Sparklers, Both Boozy and Not #SundayFunday

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Today the Sunday Funday group is celebrating with a virtual birthday potluck for one of the group's organizers. Thanks to Stacy of Food Lust People Love, Sue of Palatable Pastime, Rebekah of Making Miracles, and Wendy of A Day in the Life on the Farm for coordinating this low-stress group. This week it is Stacy's birthday and here's what we are all sharing...

Borage Sparklers, Both Boozy and Not

This is a cocktail delight straight out of the garden, a sparkling cocktail that features borage in a syrup and in the beautiful ice cubes. The weather has been atypically warm here on California's central coast. So my jasmine and borage blossoms are popping off...completely out of season. I thought it was the perfect birthday libation for Stacy's virtual feast. Happy birthday, Stacy!


Borage is an annual herb that boasts stunning star-shaped blue flowers. Both the flowers and young leaves taste like cucumber. In this sparkling borage cocktail, a homemade borage syrup is paired with other light herbal flavors. I prefer herbal gins and used one from Venus Spirits in Santa Cruz for this libation. Make the syrup ahead of time for an easy cocktail hour.

Ingredients

Borage Syrup
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup organic granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup borage (young leaves and flowers)

 Borage Ice Cubes
  • borage flowers
  • water

Cocktail
  • 1-1/2 ounces gin
  • 3/4 ounce Chartreuse
  • 3/4 ounce borage syrup 
  • sparking water, as needed
  • Also needed: ice, cocktail strainer

Procedure

Borage Ice Cubes
Place flowers in a silicone or other ice cube tray. Fill the hollows halfway up with water. Drop a borage flower on top. Let freeze for 30 minutes, then pour more water over the flower. Let freeze until set.

Borage Syrup
Put the sugar and water into a saucepan and simmer over medium heat till the sugar is completely dissolved. Add blossom to the syrup and let cool. Reserve the syrup till you’re ready to make the sparklers.

Cocktail
Place ice in a cocktail shaker. Pour in all ingredients and shake for 15 seconds. Strain into a serving glass. Garnish with borage ice cubes.


Non-Boozy Sparkler
Place borage ice cubes in a glass. Fill 3/4 of the way with sparkling water. Add borage syrup to taste. Serve immediately. Cheers!

Well, that's a wrap on our virtual birthday party. We'll be back next week with a National Hot Chocolate Day theme. I'm hosting. Stay tuned!
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Comments

  1. Stacy RushtonJanuary 23, 2022 at 6:25 AM

    Those are such pretty flowers, Camilla! I especially love how you put them in the ice cubes to fancy up the cocktail. Such a simple but beautiful idea! Cheers! Thank you for the birthday wishes!

    ReplyDelete
  2. A Day in the Life on the FarmJanuary 23, 2022 at 8:10 AM

    What a beautiful cocktail AND it sounds delicious. Cheers Cam.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Mayuri PatelJanuary 23, 2022 at 5:00 PM

    Wow Camilla, what a beautiful drink. Simply love the idea of the borage ice cubes, adds so much character to the cocktail, a posh drink. Santé .

    ReplyDelete
  4. ArchanaJanuary 23, 2022 at 10:45 PM

    Wow! Camilla I love this simple yet elegant drink. Love the idea of adding flowers to the ice cubes.

    ReplyDelete

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