This May Day, pay homage to the enigmatic Green Man of British folklore with this juniper-infused gin cocktail!
Alongside the Queen of the May, the enigmatic Green Man takes centre stage at the springtime celebration of May Day. The Green Man’s association with the burgeoning growth of spring, fertility, and rebirth aligns with the themes of this ancient holiday.
Infused with the woodsy aroma of juniper, the Green Man cocktail is the perfect libation for this mysterious nature spirit.
Green man in the garden
Staring from the tree, . . .
Your eyes are dark as holly,
Of sycamore your horns,
Your bones are made of elder-branch,
Your teeth are made of thorns.
Your hat is made of ivy-leaf,
Of bark your dancing shoes,
And evergreen and green and green
Your jacket and shirt and trews.
- Green Man in the Garden, by Charles Causally
Who is the Green Man?
This enduring figure in British folklore symbolizes humanity’s deep connection to nature and the cycle of rebirth. Usually depicted with a face made entirely of foliage, vines, and leaves, the Green Man has ancient pre-Christian roots. However, the charm of this nature deity persisted and his image can be found in many medieval churches and architecture. Given growing environmental concerns today, the Green Man serves as a reminder of our place in the natural world. Raise a glass of this juniper infused cocktail in honour of the Green Man!
Ingredients
Juniper berries: The small berries of the juniper bush have a resinous, pine-y aroma and are most familiar to us as the dominant flavour of gin. Juniper berries can be found at well-stocked gourmet food stores or ordered online.
Green chartreuse: A French herbal liqueur with a secret recipe, Chartreuse has been made by Carthusian monks since the 18th century. The recipe is a closely guarded secret and there are two versions, green and yellow chartreuse. Green chartreuse is by far the easier to source as well as being significantly cheaper than its yellow counterpart. Chartreuse has a pretty strong herbal profile so a little goes a long way.
Orange & Juniper bitters: A dash of bitters adds depth and complexity to any cocktail. If you can find it, this orange and juniper bitters by Bittered Sling is the perfect compliment for this cocktail. If you can’t source this particular bitters then you can substitute with another botanical aromatic bitters. Or you can leave it out; the cocktail will still be delicious but without the complexity bitters adds.
Gin: I like to use Hendrick’s Orbium gin in this cocktail, but feel free to use your favorite gin instead.
Lemon juice: A splash of lemon juice adds a balancing acidity.
How to make the Green Man Cocktail
Make the juniper berry syrup
In a saucepan combine the water and sugar. Place over high heat and bring to a simmer. Stir occasionally to completely dissolve the sugar. Use a mortar and pestle to crush the juniper berries. Add to the syrup and let simmer for another minute. Then, remove from the heat, cover, and let steep for 20-30 minutes.
Strain the syrup and discard the juniper berries. To make a really clear syrup, I like to strain it through a coffee filter. Let the syrup cool before using. The syrup will keep for 2 to 3 weeks in the fridge.
Make the Green Man Cocktail
In a cocktail shaker add the gin, green chartreuse, juniper simple syrup, lemon juice, and orange juniper bitters. Add ice, then cover and shake for 10 to 15 seconds. Strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with fresh flowers and enjoy!
