Sweet and slightly herbal, this delightful, golden elixir is the perfect cocktail to celebrate the Midsummer Solstice.
With the summer solstice approaching I am definitely looking forward to longer days and warmer weather. I created this cocktail a number of years ago specifically to celebrate the first day of summer and it has since become a yearly tradition. The herbal flavours in this cocktail reflect the new growth around us, and its gorgeous golden hue perfectly symbolizes the sun on this longest day of the year. Fresh lemon balm foraged from our backyard adds a subtle aroma to this enchanting elixir.
Lemon balm, or Melissa officinalis, is a perennial member of the mint family. With a strong lemon scent and a hint of minty aroma, lemon balm is a great herb to add to your culinary repertoire. Lemon balm has been used medicinally for centuries to treat a variety of conditions. Today it is used as a sleep aid, to ease stress and anxiety, and as a digestive tonic.
Culinarily lemon balm is often used to flavour seafood or chicken and can be made into a lemony pesto. Most often lemon balm is made into a tea or steeped in other beverages. I love steeping lemon balm leaves into a simple syrup and using it in this Midsummer libation!
Ingredient Notes
Lemon Balm: I like to use fresh lemon balm simply because we grow it in our garden. If you don’t have access to fresh lemon balm, then there are a few options to try. Dried lemon balm or lemon balm tea can be sourced online. Make sure to reduce the amount to a tablespoon or two as dried herbs are much stronger. To closely replicate the delicate aroma of lemon balm you could add lemon zest and a few mint leaves to the simple syrup, although I would use the mint sparingly to avoid it tasting too strongly of mint. Other options which aren’t quite as close in flavour but may work well with the other ingredients would be fresh basil, lemongrass, or even lemon thyme.
Gin: Use your favourite gin. Hendrick’s limited edition Midsummer Solstice gin is perfect to use, and I love its floral hints.
B&B Liqueur: This liqueur is technically a premixed cocktail itself and is made by combining French brandy with the herbal liqueur Benedictine. First produced in the 16th century, Benedictine is made using a blend of 27 herbs, roots, and spices. Combining it with French brandy and allowing the mixture to rest in French oak barrels softens the flavour for a smoother and deeper flavour.
Rhubarb bitters: Experimenting with bitters is a great way to create complex flavours in your cocktails. The rhubarb flavour of these bitters really stands out in the finished drink, so I highly recommend sourcing it out. You can find it here if you’re in Canada or here if you’re in the US.
How to Make A Midsummer Cocktail
To make the Midsummer Cocktail, start by preparing the lemon balm syrup. In a small saucepan, combine the water and sugar and bring to a simmer. Stir and let simmer until the sugar has dissolved. Add a large handful of washed lemon balm leaves to the syrup. Let simmer for another minute, then remove from the heat, cover, and let steep for 20 to 30 minutes.
Once the lemon balm has steeped, strain the syrup through a fine mesh strainer and let cool completely before using.
To make the cocktail, add the gin, B&B liqueur, lemon balm syrup, fresh lemon juice and rhubarb bitters to a cocktail shaker. Add ice and then cover and shake for 10 to 15 seconds. Strain the cocktail into a coupe glass and serve!
Serving & Pairing Suggestions
This cocktail is the perfect pre-dinner drink with appetizers. It goes exceptionally well with my Whipped Brie with Herbs and Honeycomb, and in fact I serve both recipes each year at my Midsummer Solstice dinner celebration.
More Seasonal Cocktails
If you love making fragrant summery drinks with foraged ingredients straight from your garden, try out these recipes:
