Cocktails just taste better in the summer. It might not be scientifically proven, but sipping on an ice-cold summery drink doctored up with fragrant herbs while sitting on a sunny patio has to be the definition of true bliss. Whether it’s The Pioneer Woman’s “most refreshing” margarita recipe (which she likes to call marg-a-Ree-ta) or her “absolutely delicious” rosé sangria brimming with summer berries, Ree Drummond is no stranger to crisp cocktails, especially ones that are packed with fresh ingredients.
If you’re itching to savor the ripest summer flavors, skip the grocery store and fill your cup with garden-fresh herbs, fruits, and veggies that you’ve been growing right in your backyard. It might sound like a challenging feat, but starting your own cocktail garden is a surprisingly easy venture—and it yields the freshest, most delicious concoctions that are basically guaranteed to elevate every happy hour for the foreseeable future. The best part? You can customize the crops to suit your taste buds. If your idea of the perfect summer cocktail is a classic mojito, plant mint and lime in your garden. But if you prefer fruity sips, consider adding berries to the mix.
From the best varieties to plant to all the must-know garden maintenance tips, here’s everything you need to know about growing a cocktail garden. Soon enough, you’ll have a bounty of tasty ingredients to use for all your summer happy hours.
What to Plant in Your Cocktail Garden
While you can adjust the ingredients you grow based on your preferences, the below plants show up in some of the most popular summer cocktails, from mint juleps to gin spritzes. To cover all your bases, here’s what to plant in your cocktail garden:
Mint
If you had to choose just one crop to plant in your cocktail garden, let it be mint. This bright herb adds a sweet, cooling burst to so many warm-weather beverages, and it’s a beginner-friendly option that’s easy to grow. Since mint spreads quickly, just be sure to plant it in a container.
Basil
With its sweet, peppery flavor, basil is another versatile herb that pairs well with many summer cocktail ingredients, such as strawberries, peaches, watermelon, and citrus. What’s more, it’s a low-maintenance plant that sprouts quickly and leads to an ever-growing harvest.
Strawberries
Whether you’re craving a strawberry margarita or a fruity sangria, strawberries are another suitable choice for a cocktail garden. Their sweet, juicy flavor naturally enhances a lot of drink recipes, and they work well in containers, raised beds, or garden borders. They’ll also bring a pop of color to your yard!
Cucumbers
Offering a crisp, cooling flavor, cucumbers are a staple in many gin cocktails and spritzes. Since they grow quickly and produce abundant harvests, it’s one of the easiest summer crops to grow. You can also add them to all your sandwich and salad creations! Just be sure to give the vines plenty of room to spread.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a fragrant, eye-catching herb that pairs well with both sweet citrus drinks and woody bourbon-based ones. Just give this perennial herb well-draining soil and full sun, and it’ll grow big and strong without much effort on your end.
Lavender
With its pretty purple hue and serene aroma, lavender is one of those ingredients that instantly transforms a drink, especially ones made with gin. It’ll also beautify your garden and attract pollinators. Keep in mind that since it has a strong floral flavor, a little goes a long way in cocktails!
How to Start a Cocktail Garden
After selecting the cocktail ingredients that you want to grow, follow this beginner-friendly guide. Following these simple steps will help you kick off your cocktail garden without the stress.
Seek Out the Sun
Many summer cocktail ingredients, such as basil, rosemary, and lavender, thrive in full sun. To give your crops the TLC they need, find an outdoor location that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight every day.
Start With Containers
Don’t let the size of your yard limit you. While you should grow heavy feeders like cucumbers in garden beds, many cocktail garden favorites thrive in containers. Crops like strawberries, basil, mint, and lavender prefer pots, which you can easily place on your patio, porch, or balcony.
Aim for Variety
While it’s important to plant only what you’ll use, for unlimited cocktail creations, you’ll need to plant a mix of herbs, fruits, and vegetables. For instance, a medley of strawberries, basil, and lavender will give you lots of flavors, textures, and colors to work with.
Use the Right Soil
If you’re planting your cocktail garden in containers, opt for a high-quality potting mix. For garden beds, on the other hand, choose well-draining soil, which won’t stay soggy after you water it.
Water Them Consistently
Speaking of watering, consistently hydrating your cocktail garden is key. While newly planted crops need regular watering, once they’re established, give them moisture only when the top inch of soil is dry to the touch. Keep in mind that container gardens tend to dry out faster than garden beds, especially during the summertime, so you might need to water them more frequently.
How to Care for a Cocktail Garden
As your cocktail garden grows, you’ll need to give your crops a little extra attention, so you can enjoy the freshest summer beverages. These care tips will set you up for success:
Harvest Them Often
Regularly harvesting your herbs, fruits, and veggies will encourage new growth and more bountiful harvests throughout the season. The more often you pick strawberries and cucumbers, the more likely they are to keep producing. As for herbs like mint and basil, snip the leaves (no more than one-third of the plant at a time) as needed.
Offer Enough Moisture
Since many cocktail garden plants need consistent moisture to thrive, give them a deep watering whenever the soil feels dry. Since container gardens dry out faster than garden beds, you’ll want to spay extra special attention to your pots, particularly during dry spells.
Apply a Balanced Fertilizer
Feeding your cocktail garden crops—especially container plants—with a balanced fertilizer can contribute to healthier growth and more abundant harvests. To give your ingredients a boost, simply follow the package directions.
Keep an Eye Out for Pests
Pesky pests like aphids, spiders, mites, and cucumber beetles can contaminate your plants and stunt their growth. So, be on the lookout for signs of bugs like sticky residue and holes on the leaves. By catching insects early, you’ll avoid a lot of damage later on.
Lilly Blomquist is the associate editor at The Pioneer Woman, where she writes lifestyle stories across a wide range of topics—including news, entertainment, holidays, food, and more.
