Eco-conscious cocktails bring a twist to the classic cocktail hour

Bring an aspect of Earth Day to every day with some eco-conscious cocktails. With a few key ingredients, that favorite libation can serve a bigger purpose. From reducing food waste to engaging a conversation, there are many ways to turn cocktail hour into an even more special event.

Over the past year, many cocktail lovers have become amateur mixologists. While some people might not be quite ready to make their own bitters, the home bar holds more options that just gin and tonic. While those classic cocktails always have a place, sometimes a little cocktail creativity is in order.

Recently, Pernod Ricard shared four easy tips to reduce food waste with favorite cocktails. While some ideas seem straightforward, other ideas might be easily overlooked.

One idea is to use home grown ingredients. Many people have started to grow herbs. From little containers on the window shelf to a big garden in the backyard (or maybe that fruit tree for some lucky people), those fresh ingredients bring big flavor.

Also, those leftover ingredients can serve a purpose, too. From composting to re-purposing ingredients into other recipes, there is no reason to let anything go to waste.

Since flavor is king, one great idea to make a homemade flavored syrup. From fruit pieces to citrus peels, there are plenty of ways to make a flavored syrup. It is a tasty way to use the peels from oranges that have been juiced.

One word of caution, flavored syrups can change over time. For example, a homemade spicy syrup will have different spice levels as it sits. It is an important reminder to taste all the ingredients before you use them in the cocktail.

Another cocktail trend is using dehydrate garnishes. It makes great visual and a new twist for garnishes. There are many ways to dehydrate fruits or flowers. You might be able to do in that air fryer, too.

Ready to shake up some eco-conscious cocktails?

With those food waste ideas in place, why not move onto the beverages in the cocktail. One option is to pick a spirit that supports environmental causes. For example, ABERFELDY has a Barrels and Bees program. The honey used in its signature cocktails supports local bee keepers.

Check out this suggested cocktail from ABERFELDY, Herbed Honey Smash.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz ABERFELDY 12 Single Malt Scotch
• 1 ½ oz Lemon juice (or about half a lemon squeezed)
• 1 oz honey syrup
• *Honey Syrup: 100g of honey and 64g water, stir and leave to chill. Note: syrup will only last 3 days. 4-6 leaves of soft herb (basil, mint, tarragon, etc.)

Method:

• Add all ingredients to a shaker tin with ice. Shake vigorously and strain using a fine mesh strainer into a small rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with your fresh herb of choice and enjoy!

With this cocktail, you can change the herbs and have a whole new cocktail. Consider using seasonal herbs to highlight the freshest flavors.

This idea is just one example of many eco-conscious cocktails. From the alcohol used to the ingredients themselves, thoughtfulness can be that secret element that makes the first sip even tastier.

What do you think of adding an eco-friendly element to cocktail hour? Is it a conversation that you want to shake up?