Tips & Tricks
Simple twists turn seltzer into fun "adult" beverages ~
I prefer to start with plain seltzer (I have a carbonator to save money and use tap water) or I'll bring plain or lime canned seltzer if I'm traveling to a gathering. You can certainly play with other store-bought flavored seltzer but I don't tend to like the "flavors" even when natural.
Use fun cocktail glasses even if you're just having seltzer, plus of course some kind of garnish!
Make decorative ice cubes. We have a couple different ice trays for this but my favorites are small square cube trays that I fill with a few cranberries, rosemary sprigs, etc (you can mix it up, different kinds of decor in one tray)
Red & Green Theme: Combine the a wedge or round of lime with a sprig of rosemary, sprinkle of pomegranate seeds (as shown above), some whole fresh cranberries
Vanilla: Add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract* to plain seltzer - it's akin to a posh creamsicle and looks like you're drinking white wine or bourbon. Adding a 1/2 teaspoon of anise flavor extract* gives it a root beer-like quality. If you like it sweet, stir in a spoonful of maple syrup.
Rosemary Grapefruit: Gently slap some fresh rosemary sprigs against your hand to release the flavor and use as a garnish alongside seltzer and red grapefruit juice or sliced grapefruit. Don't like grapefruit? It works well with sliced rounds of lemon, clementines, or kumquats, too.
Never underestimate fresh rosemary for perking up a winter cocktail. Not only can you use it as a garnish or in ice cubes but you can also shake it with ice (with whatever non-fizzy ingredient is going into your drink -- fresh-squeezed lime/lemon/grapefruit juice, other juice, liquor, simple syrup), then strain into your glass, top with bubbles and add garnish
Play with pine and other related edible evergreens (not all evergreens are safe to eat) as a garnish, extract, or shaken
Get Juicy: Add just an ounce or two of juice to seltzer and perhaps a garnish. Some of our favorites include...
• pomegranate juice with lime and seltzer
• tart cherry juice concentrate with plain seltzer, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract*, and a wedge of lime
• ruby red grapefruit juice with seltzer and rosemary garnish
• cranberry juice (I prefer the original even though it has sugar) with seltzer and lime or rosemary
• dark purple "Concord" grape juice with seltzer and a lemon wedge
• a splash of fancy tonic water or elderflower tonic water with lime and seltzer is fun, too
Fun with Bitters*: Add a dash or two of bitters to your seltzer and seltzer creations. For example, I used Maine-made Sweetgrass Distillery Blueberry Bitters in a recent pomegranate drink and later Maine Pine Bitters alongside lime juice, simple syrup, and rosemary (excellent with or without gin or vodka). Scrappy's Bitters also makes creative all-natural bitters including chocolate, lavender, cardamom, aromatic, and anise-y New Orleans. Make your own herbal bitters and shrubs (sweet vinegar extracts) to add to drinks and give as gifts, such as this ginger shrub recipe.
Low-Octane Cocktails: If you tolerate alcohol but want to scale it back, add a splash of liquor to your seltzer creation versus the typical high-proof, sugar-laden cocktail. For example, I'll do a seltzer with lime and just a tablespoon each of triple sec and tequila. Or a splash of tonic water and gin, perhaps with pomegranate seeds or rosemary for additional garnish. Or bourbon with an orange slice, vanilla extract, a cinnamon stick, and plain seltzer.
Raise a glass and enjoy!
* Note that most bitters and flavor extracts do contain alcohol as a preservative though the dose is small when using just a dash or two or 1/2 teaspoon per serving. That said, if you're very sensitive to alcohol and wish or need to avoid it 100%, seek out alcohol-free flavor extracts (usually glycerine based) in the baking aisle of your natural food store or stick to using fresh fruit, herbs, and juice for flavor. Shrubs (which are vinegar-based, sometimes sweetened) are usually also alcohol-free. But always check ingredients labels to be sure!
The above tips are made with winter-y ingredients and availability in mind, but if you're looking for some garden-fresh herbal inspiration for sippers, check out this more summery drink blog.
Clinical herbalist Maria Noël Groves sees clients and teaches classes at Wintergreen Botanicals Herbal Clinic & Education Center in Allenstown, New Hampshire.
The statements made on this blog have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, prescribe, recommend, treat, cure, or offer medical advice. Please see your health care practitioner for help regarding choices and to avoid herb-drug interactions.
Updated 11/22/21 with additional recipe tips