Beltane Beauty - A Garden, Rose, & Cucumber Mocktail for Spring
This rose and cucumber mocktail is like a spring garden in your cup! With floral elements, subtle and sweetening honey, rejuvenating cucumber and lemon, this Spring drink recipe is perfect to sip in the magic of the season! There are options to make this rose mocktail recipe work for a variety of pallets and pantries, so be sure to check the notes.
- 1-2** tsp dried rose petals (if not using calendula or violet or for a deeper pink, use 2 tsp dried rose. If using calendula & violet, use 1 tsp. See notes for more info)
- 1 tsp dried calendula* (see note for rose if not using calendula)
- 1/2 tsp dried violet (see note for rose if not using violet)
- 3 ounces hot water
- 1.25-1.5 tbsp honey dissolve into tea after steeping, adjust to taste
- 3 larges leaves basil optional
- 2-3 slices cucumber
- 1 ounce lemon juice freshly squeezed
Place rose (& calendula & violet if using) in temper/heat-safe cup. Add hot water and let steep for 5-7 minutes (a proper steep will allow for pink color).
After 5-7 minutes, add in honey and stir in until dissolved.
Add cucumber and basil, and muddle them so that they break down and infuse their flavors into the drink.
Add lemon and ice, then shake & strain into desired cup. I do not recommend enjoying over ice, because since the drink is tea-based, it can quickly become watered down.
Garnish with your choice of: cucumber, basil leaves, and/or rose.
Rose Petals vs. Calendula & Violet
- 2 tsp rose option - great for those who don't have calendula or violet and want a deeper pink color, or more forward rose flavor
- 1 tsp rose, 1 tsp calendula, 1/2 tsp violet option - for a more general floral flavor (and not rose-specific) tapping into more floral magic for Beltane
The steeping of rose petals is essential to the pink color. More rose/longer steeping results in a deeper pink.
Adding Zero-Proof Spirits or Alcohol
- Zero-proof spirits: I recommend Seedlip SPICE for this one (you don't want to use something too garden-flavored, as the cucumber and basil already have it covered and it can become too much)
- For Alcohol, you may want to up the sweetness
Honey/Sweetness
Sweetness can depend on how much the honey dissolves in the tea. Adjust per your preference, going with less and adding more tot taste
Keyword Basil, Beltane, Cucumber, Lemon, Mocktail, Nonalcoholic, Rose