Gardening for Cocktails: Nasturtium
As we continue to expand our Cocktail Garden at New Dawn, we are constantly looking for botanicals that offer both visual brilliance and a unique flavor profile. Following our success with hardy perennials like rosemary and sage, we are turning our attention to a vibrant spring favorite: the Nasturtium.
Cultivating the "Neglected" Beauty
Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus) are perhaps the most rewarding plants for the casual gardener. They thrive in New Orleans' spring climate and are remarkably easy to grow from their large, chickpea-like seeds. To achieve the best results for your home bar, plant them in a spot with full sun and well-draining soil.
The secret to a prolific nasturtium patch is a touch of "tough love." These plants actually produce more blooms in poorer soils; over-fertilizing often leads to lush green foliage but very few of the colorful flowers we need for our syrups and garnishes. Once established, they require minimal water, making them an eco-friendly addition to any urban cocktail garden.
A Peppery Culinary Powerhouse
While they are often prized for their sunset-hued blooms, every part of the nasturtium is edible. The leaves and flowers possess a signature "peppery kick" that mimics the flavor of watercress or radish.
Leaves: Use the tender, lily-pad-shaped leaves to add a spicy bite to salads or pestos.
Flowers: The petals offer a gentler heat combined with a subtle floral sweetness.
Seeds: The green, unripened seed pods can be pickled in vinegar to create "poor man’s capers," a briny treat that pairs beautifully with a dirty martini.
Transitional Old Fashioned
2 oz New Dawn 10-year Wheated Whiskey
¼ -½ oz Nasturtium syrup
dash of cherry saffron bitters
Combine ingredients in a mixing glass with ice and stir till chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over large ice cube and garnish with Nasturtium flower.
From Garden to Glass: The Transitional Garnish
In the New Dawn mixing room, we value nasturtiums for their versatility during the bridge between spring and summer. A single nasturtium bloom floated atop a Bow and Arrow or a Spicy Ecologist provides an instant aesthetic upgrade. Because the flowers come in a range of muted yellows, deep oranges, and soft reds, they allow for a customizable visual experience that reflects the changing season.
The Nasturtium Simple Syrup
To truly capture the essence of the garden, we recommend crafting a spicy-sweet nasturtium simple syrup. By steeping both the leaves and the petals in a warm 1:1 sugar-water solution, you extract a complex heat that balances perfectly with organic sweetness.
This syrup serves as the foundation for our Transitional Old Fashioned. The syrup's peppery undertones provide a sophisticated bridge between the rich, wintery notes of our 10-year wheated whiskey and the bright, sun-soaked demands of early summer. Garnished with a fresh leaf and a single petal, it is a cocktail that honors the resilience and flavor of the cocktail garden.
