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By Nicole Danielle
Jump to RecipeCocktail Inspiration
On Season 2 Episode 21: I’m Also in Love with Mothman, I reviewed In the Shadow Garden by Liz Parker. This enchanting book is full of small-town secrets, magical families, and a touch of Southern Gothic charm. Naturally, I couldn’t resist crafting a cocktail to honor one of the book’s most evocative settings: the tea shop owned by the Haywood witches, Lavender & Lemon Balm. (I also felt inspired by the shadow garden itself and you can read my post here for ideas.)
What better way to pay tribute than with a bourbon and tea-based drink infused with both lavender and lemon balm? Meet The Shadowed Garden — a cocktail that tastes like sipping a little spell straight from the pages. (Hopefully, it won’t cause you to lose your memories like some of the folks in the book.)
Key Ingredients
I love making cocktails from tea-infused simple syrups so this seemed the perfect choice as one of the key ingredients. I used Earl Gray but, if you can get your hands on it, a Lavender Earl Gray blend also would work beautifully in this cocktail. When I made this cocktail, I used Bardstown High Wheat Bourbon from their Origin Series. Any good Bourbon will do, though. (Bourbon is mentioned profusely throughout the book.)
What’s it taste like? This is a bourbon-forward cocktail with accent of floral lavender, herbaceous lemon balm, and citrusy-tart lemon that is not overly sweet. I hope you’ll give it a try! Want to read the book? You can get it from The Ripped Bodice here or Amazon here.
Why This Cocktail Fits In the Shadow Garden
Bourbon brings warmth and grounding — well, as long as it’s not coming from the Bonner Distillery. (For more on the Bonner Family and other characters from the book, click here to read my review notes.) Lavender and lemon balm add the dreamy, magical and herbal quality that reflects the shop’s name. And tea ties it all together, creating a drink that feels both cozy and enchanting — just like being the Haywood family’s tea shop.
If you loved Liz Parker’s In the Shadow Garden, this cocktail is the perfect sip while reading (or re-reading) under moonlight. Haven’t read the book yet? I highly recommend it. You can get it from Amazon or The Ripped Bodice.
✨ Don’t forget to listen to the full review in Season 2 Episode 21: I’m Also in Love with Mothman of the Romance on the Rocks Podcast!
Ingredients
Method
- Add bourbon, syrup, tea, lemon juice, and bitters to a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Shake until chilled and strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice (or serve up in a coupe glass for a witchy vibe).
- Garnish with lemon balm + lavender.
Ingredients
Method
- In a saucepan, bring sugar and water to a simmer until dissolved.
- Remove from heat, stir in lavender and lemon balm, and cover. Steep 15 minutes.
- Strain and let cool. Store in fridge up to 2 weeks.
