borage mojito: edible flower cocktails
Borage Mojito Recipe
Ingredients:
50 ml white rum
20 ml freshly squeezed lime juice
20 ml simple syrup (adjust to taste)
6-8 fresh borage leaves (washed)
Soda water
Ice (cubes or crushed)
Lime slices and borage flowers for garnish (optional)
Fresh mint leaves (for extra flavour, optional)
VIDEO: Step-by-step borage cocktail
It’s the end of Summer, the air is still warm, and my flower beds are overflowing with beautiful blue-violet borage flowers. I started growing the cucumber-flavoured edible flowers this year for the first time, and it’s been incredibly easy. I sowed the seeds directly outdoors in Spring, and I’ve been making borage-inspired dishes all summer, blending them in soups and sprinkling them on salads.
In an effort to use them up, I thought I’d try swapping them out for mint in a mojito, and I think it works. It’s a super delicate, refreshing cocktail that’s perfect for Summer afternoons - and I’ll probably still be drinking it throughout October as I still have so many new buds and leaves.
If you prefer punchier flavours I’d add a bit more mint and a bit more sugar, and you can also prepare a borage-infused sugar syrup in advance for extra flavour… the recipe for that is below too.
And for an alcohol-free version, just skip the white rum - it still tastes great.
BORAGE MOJITO RECIPE
Instructions:
1. Muddle the Borage Leaves:
In a cocktail shaker or a sturdy glass, gently muddle the fresh borage leaves to release their flavor. If you prefer a stronger minty flavor, you can muddle a few fresh mint leaves at this stage.
2. Pour the Liquids:
Add 50 ml of white rum, 20 ml of freshly squeezed lime juice, and 20 ml of simple syrup to the muddled borage leaves. Adjust the simple syrup quantity to your desired level of sweetness, or use the borage-infused syrup (recipe below).
3. Shake or Stir:
Fill the cocktail shaker with ice cubes and shake the mixture vigorously for about 15-20 seconds. If you're using a glass like I did, just stir well to combine the ingredients.
4. Strain and Serve:
Strain the cocktail mixture into a highball glass filled with ice. You can use a fine-mesh sieve to ensure no small leaf pieces are in the glass.
5. Top with Soda Water:
Top off the glass with soda water to your preferred level of effervescence. You can adjust the amount of soda water based on your preference for a stronger or milder mojito.
6. Garnish:
Garnish your Borage Mojito with a lime slice and a fresh borage flower, if available, for an attractive presentation.
7. Enjoy:
The borage leaves add a subtle cucumber-like flavor and a hint of sweetness to the traditional mojito, for a refreshing summer drink.
BORAGE SIMPLE SYRUP RECIPE
Ingredients:
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
1 cup fresh borage flowers (washed and dried)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Borage Flowers:
Ensure that the borage flowers are clean and free of dirt or debris. Rinse them gently under cold water and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel.
2. Combine Sugar and Water:
In a saucepan, combine 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 cup of water. Place the saucepan over medium heat.
3. Dissolve the Sugar:
Stir the sugar and water mixture continuously until the sugar completely dissolves. This should take about 3-5 minutes.
4. Add Borage Flowers:
Once the sugar has dissolved, add the washed and dried borage flowers to the saucepan. Stir to combine.
5. Simmer and Infuse:
Allow the mixture to come to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 5-7 minutes. This will allow the borage flowers to infuse their flavor into the syrup.
6. Remove from Heat:
After simmering, remove the saucepan from the heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature. The longer you let it cool, the more borage flavor it will absorb.
7. Strain and Store:
Once the syrup has cooled, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean glass jar or bottle. This will remove the borage flowers and any solids.
8. Store in the Refrigerator:
Seal the jar or bottle and store the borage simple syrup in the refrigerator. It can typically last for up to a few weeks when refrigerated. Your homemade borage simple syrup could be used in all kinds of different cocktails and drinks, not just this mojito!
