Cocktail garnishes are my favorite (and easy!) way to turn a basic drink into a beverage that is memorable and beautiful. From dehydrated citrus to lemon twists, these simple garnishes will elevate any cocktail you make at home!
What are cocktail garnishes?
Cocktail garnishes are a fun, sensory finishing element to any drink. They provide an aromatic experience that begins before even taking the first sip.
Cocktail garnishes are also a great way of previewing the flavors inside of your beverage. And of course we all know they are stunning and make the art of ordering a cocktail so memorable!
When you think of a piña colada, your mind instantly goes to a fresh pineapple wedge and an umbrella. When you order a mojito, you have a fragrant bouquet of mint floating on top. A spicy margarita has so much depth with a dehydrated lime wheel. The list goes on and the options are endless!
Let’s get into some basic garnishes that you can make for your drinks at home!
10 Essential Easy Cocktail Garnishes:
1. Herb Bouquet:
A small bundle of fresh herbs can give a cocktail an aromatic introduction. Basil, rosemary, mint, and thyme are great herb cocktail garnishes. Drinks like mojitos, mint juleps, hugo spritz and citrus based beverages work well with herb garnishes
2. jarred garnishes:
These are your cherries (maraschino and luxardo), olives (for martinis or a martini spritz!), and pickled veggies for savory drinks like bloody mary’s. These are often skewered so they don’t sink to the bottom of a beverage
3. citrus wheels:
Fresh citrus wheels are great for margaritas, palomas, and gin and tonics. You can top them on top of a rocks or tom collins glass . Cut a small slit down half of the wheel and prop them on a glasses edge
4. citrus twists:
Citrus twists are delicate cocktail garnishes that give a great flavor preview of your drink. Also a great option you need a delicate garnish for an iceless drink in a coupe or martini glass (think french 75’s, martinis, paper planes, etc)
5. citrus rosettes:
Similar to twists, rosettes can be laced through a cocktail pick along with another fruit featured in a beverage. They both give a great aromatic scent that can compliment the flavors inside the drink
6. dehydrated fruit:
A personal favorite! Not only are these shelf stable, they look so interesting! I love using dehydrated fruits for spicy drinks, they often give a darker, bolder look that matches the profile of spicy flavors
7. fruit fan:
The fruit fan cocktail garnishes are endless! Think apples, pears (for a pear martini!), peaches, plums, etc! Use a sharp pairing knife to make thin slices of fruit. You can place them on top of a cocktail or skewer them for a more stable placement
8. ribbons:
If you’re in need of one of the best cocktail garnishes, the ribbon is it! Its an easy way to make a drink feel extra fancy. With a sharp vegetable peeler, peel 2-3 thin pieces of produce (think cucumbers, carrots, rhubarb) and ribbon them onto a cocktail skewer.
9. cinnamon stick:
Cinnamon sticks can be used as is or burnt a little on one end to add some smokiness to a drink. I like to garnish them with fall cocktails like pumpkin spice margaritas and apple bourbon cocktails
10. citrus moons or wedges:
It doesn’t get more classic (or easy) than a citrus moon / wedge. I love having these on hand for parties and for simpler drinks that you don’t want to weigh down like a grapefruit martini or a limoncello mule
how to choose the right garnish for your cocktail:
Flavor: the easiest way to choose cocktail garnishes is to match up flavors and ingredients in the drinks to the garnishes
Pop of color: if you have a drink that is clear or needs a little vibrancy, choosing something green like a herbal bouquet or citrus wheel can help brighten up any drink
Glassware: this is one of the most important decision factors for cocktail garnishes. Drinks that are served in a coupe glass need a more dainty garnish like a lemon twist or ribbon. Drinks served in a rocks glass or low glass with ice can handle a large lemon wheel or cucumber ribbon.
Theme: if you are having a gathering with any kind of theme, cocktail garnishes are a fun way to customize things.
I’ve gone as far as making cocktail picks with small circle cut outs of my friends (yes I know it’s a little crazy ha!). You can use umbrellas for tiki themed drinks. If you’re party is more elevated, you can make some fancier garnishes like cocktail ribbons, etc.
My fav tools for making cocktail garnishes:
- Peeler: a sharp peeler will help you make most of these garnishes, especially the citrus peels, and ribbons
- Pairing knife: I keep a sharp pairing knife in my cocktail supply drawer for cutting citrus, fruits etc.
- Cocktail Picks: my Mom got me this cocktail pick set a few Christmas’s ago and I use them more than any other pick (and I have a TON). They’re timeless and classic. You can also use a toothpick, bamboo skewers, drink umbrellas, the list goes on!
- Small cutting board: I love to pull out a cute little cutting board while making cocktail garnishes. It makes for a great work surface
how to prep cocktail garnishes ahead of time:
Garnishes to prep ahead:
The best garnishes to have prepped ahead of time or on hand are dehydrated citrus slices, jarred garnishes (like cherries and olives), and citrus wheels and wedges/moons that have been stored in an air tight container in the refrigerator. I wouldn’t cut them more than a day in advance as they won’t be at optimum freshness or color
Garnishes to keep fresh:
Cocktail garnishes like peels, ribbons and rosettes should be made and used right away. The fresh citrus peels release oils that are fragrant and add aroma to the beverage. They can also dry out quickly and defeat the purpose of having them!
Leave a comment down below with your favorite cocktail garnish! I can’t wait to see what cocktails (and garnishes) you all are shaking up next! Cheers!
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