LH 107: Wildcrafted Cocktails

Make your own foraged syrups, bitters, infusions and garnishes

You’ve probably heard of making garden cocktails.

But what about making cocktails from foraged plants, seeds and berries?

Well forage expert Ellen Zachos shares all we need to know about creating delicious and spirited drinks from wildcrafted components.

You will learn:

• All the ways we can flavor, garnish and infuse our beverages
• The basic parts of a good cocktail
• How long infusions last on the shelf
• Which plants make the best flavorings
• How we can forage safely
• How to create the Santa Fe Sundowner cocktail

Ellen Zachos:

Ellen is Harvard graduate, garden author and a well-known expert on foraging – both out in nature and in your own backyard.

Ellen has written several books, including: The Wildcrafted cocktail, Backyard Foraging: 65 Familiar Plants You Didn’t Know You Could Eat, Orchid Growing for Wimps, and Growing Healthy Houseplants.

Ellen leads forage walks, gives lectures and conducts foraged mixology workshops all over the country. If you ever see her listed in your area, be sure to go! She is super knowledgable AND entertaining!

Photo credit: Rob Cardillo

Important:

Always be absolutely certain of a plant’s identity before consuming.

Many toxic and poisonous plants look similar to the safe varieties. You must be careful and not assume everything is safe until you have it properly identified.

Resources & Links Mentioned:

Backyard Forager – Ellen’s website

Backyard Foraging* – Ellen’s book

The Wildcrafted Cocktail* – Ellen’s book

Orchid Growing for Wimps* – Ellen’s book

Backyard Foraging – Podcast Episode #93

Transcript:

Click here for the full transcript for Episode #107

*denotes an affiliate link