BLog

Whether you’re entertaining outdoors or just unwinding after a day in the garden, nothing says summer quite like a refreshing cocktail infused with herbs and homegrown ingredients. These recipes spotlight Minnesota-friendly produce like basil, mint, cucumbers, and strawberries—things you can easily grow (or grab fresh at your local market).

From vibrant watermelon to fragrant rosemary, we’re bringing your garden to the glass. Better yet? Pick up kitchen essentials and accessories in Trill Boutique for the finishing touches. Cheers!

Basil Watermelon Mojito

Bright, herbaceous, and just the right amount of juicy.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 4 cups seedless watermelon, cubed
• ¼ cup fresh basil leaves
• ¼ cup fresh mint leaves
• ½ cup fresh lime juice (about 4 limes)
• 6 oz white rum
• Ice
• Sparkling water or club soda, to top
• Optional garnish: lime wedges, watermelon slices, basil sprig

Instructions

1. Muddle the watermelon, basil, mint, and lime juice in a pitcher until well combined and juicy.
2. Stir in the rum.
3. Fill 4 glasses with ice and pour the mixture through a fine strainer into each.
4. Top with sparkling water and garnish as desired.

Strawberry Basil Smash

Fruity, fizzy, and totally fresh—with a hint of depth from bourbon.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced
• ¼ cup fresh basil leaves
• ¼ cup fresh mint leaves
• ½ cup fresh lemon juice (about 4 lemons)
• 6 oz bourbon
• Ice
• Sparkling water, to top
• Optional garnish: lemon slices, strawberry halves, basil sprig

Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker or large jar, muddle strawberries, basil, mint, and lemon juice.
2. Add bourbon and shake with ice.
3. Strain into 4 ice-filled glasses.
4. Top each with a splash of sparkling water and garnish to impress.

Rosemary Cucumber Gin & Tonic

Cool, crisp, and elevated with earthy rosemary.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
• 4 fresh rosemary sprigs
• ½ cup fresh lime juice (about 4 limes)
• 6 oz dry gin
• Ice
• Tonic water, to top
• Optional garnish: rosemary sprig, cucumber ribbon, lime wheel

Instructions

1. Muddle cucumber slices and rosemary sprigs gently in a pitcher to release flavor.
2. Add lime juice and gin, then stir.
3. Divide between 4 ice-filled glasses.
4. Top with tonic water and finish with a beautiful garnish.

Grow Your Own Herbs

Plant rosemary, basil, and mojito mint together as the perfect container recipe for your cocktails. Herbs also keep the bugs away, so it’s a great addition to any patio!

From Garden to Gathering

All of these cocktails were created to highlight ingredients you can grow at home in containers or in your garden beds. Basil, mint, rosemary, strawberries, and cucumbers are summer staples in Minnesota gardens—and now in your cocktail glass.

Visit Sunnyside Gardens to find fresh herbs and container gardens that make homegrown entertaining easy and beautiful.