Many people grow fruits and vegetables for cooking, but using homegrown ingredients in cocktails can be just as simple and easy, according to several of Colorado’s top bartenders.

As with cooking, achieving a balance of flavors is the key to producing a great tasting final cocktail made with fresh produce. Home garden mainstays such as cucumber and basil, can be combined with a splash of gin for a refreshing summer cocktail. Or Use tomatoes to make a Bloody Mary from scratch.

Evan Faber, bartender at Salt in Boulder, CO, uses the restaurant’s own garden in his cocktails and as a source of inspiration. He picks fresh green onions in a Gibson and makes bitters out of lavender.

So when you’re garden overflows with produce this summer and you don’t think you can eat another basil and tomato salad, try putting together a fresh cocktail instead.

Source

Cocktail inspiration from your Boulder garden, The Daily Camera