The secret to a refreshing cocktail or mocktail might be growing in the garden
If you enjoy a tasty, refreshing summer cocktail or mocktail, why not grow your own?
No, you're not likely to grow the spirits -- although they do come from plants (vodka from potatoes, tequila from agave and so on). But you can grow other ingredients that make those spirits delicious.
Tips for growing mint and other flavorful herbs
Mint is the easiest herb to grow. It's so easy it may take over your garden if you aren't careful, so plant it in a pot and keep the pot away from the soil. Place the pot in full sun and water it regularly. In a few short weeks, you'll be able to pluck its leaves to liven up your lemonade or mint julep.
If you want to get creative, experiment with a few different varieties. My favorite is spearmint, but peppermint is classic. Chocolate mint, pineapple mint and apple mint each have their charms, named for the scents and flavors they impart. There's even a specialty variety called Cuban mint, an authentic choice for mojitos.
Basil, too, is available in several cocktail-worthy varieties. Genovese, the Italian variety often paired with tomatoes, works equally well in beverages, as do lemon and cinnamon varieties. Plant them in full sun and provide water, but account for your climate and take care not to over- or underwater them. Remove flower stalks, if they appear, to prevent the leaves from turning bitter.
Lemon verbena smells heavenly and pairs as well with a gin and tonic as it does with sparkling water. Most herbs don't usually require supplemental nutrients, but lemon verbena benefits from monthly applications of organic liquid fertilizer. Water plants when the soil begins to dry out; overwatering may lead to root rot.
When I have guests, I often muddle sage leaves with 1 ounce each of vodka and ginger liquor, then add to a glass with 4 ounces of ginger beer, and pineapple and lime juices to taste. It's as simple as can be — and just as impressive.
For the most concentrated flavor, harvest herbs in mid-morning, after the dew has dried but before the sun gets too hot. In my garden, that means around 10 a.m. Place them, stem side down, in a glass of water indoors, out of direct sunlight, until happy hour.
Strawberries, cucumbers and heat
Don't forget the strawberries (bonus: The plants come back every year in horticultural zones 4-9) and cucumbers, both mandatory components of a proper British Pimm's cup, one of my favorite summertime cocktails.
I make mine by packing a highball glass with thinly shaved cucumber, sliced strawberries, mint and a couple of sliced mandarin rounds, then topping it with 1 1/2 ounces of Pimm's No. 1 liquor and 4 ounces of lemonade or lemon-lime soda.
And if you like your drinks spicy, muddle a red-ripe slice of jalapeno with lime juice and pour a shot of tequila over it, then add your choice of mixer. Or drink it straight. I'm not judging you. I'm just the garden lady.
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Jessica Damiano writes weekly gardening columns for the AP and publishes the award-winning Weekly Dirt Newsletter. You can sign up here for weekly gardening tips and advice.
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For more AP gardening stories, go to https://apnews.com/hub/gardening.
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There the children were entertained by Italian prisoners of war who put on regular concerts and shows and received sweets and treats from American GIs who, along with their British counterparts, were rehearsing D-Day landings on the concrete ramp at Blair's Ferry, just south of Tighnabruaich. He missed the Kyles terribly when he had to return to school in Greenock, marking time until he could go to sea. Using his family contacts, he would sneak on to steamers that docked at Gourock, taking his 'place' on the bridge. At 16 he signed up with the Athel Line which was closely associated with the sugar company Tate & Lyle. He first served on the Athel Regent (co-incidentally built at Glen Yard) and didn't return until 17 months later. On his second trip in 1952, while approaching Trinidad, the captain received a telegram informing him of the death of King George VI. As the youngest on board, John was instructed to lower the Ensign and muster the staff on the poop deck in tribute. He travelled extensively. A frequent run was Calcutta to the West Indies and on to Liverpool or Greenock with molasses. He achieved his master's ticket at the age of 26. Unsurprisingly, at every opportunity he headed to Argyll where his brother Archie and sister Wren lived. Archie was the manager of the government-funded Hill Farming Research Organisation experimental farm and Wren was the local district nurse. Wren was dating (and subsequently married) Findlay Mills who also worked at the experimental farm. Findlay invited his sister Mary to visit from time to time. Mary and John clicked, and subsequently married in 1963. 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The day before the launch, Mary overheard a telephone conversation at home which ended 'well, if that happens, we'll swim for it…' The next day, after completing her duties as a teacher at Ardgowan Primary School, Greenock, Mary drove quickly to the top of Lyle Hill to inspect progress. Noting that the structure was upright and apparently secure, dinner was prepared. In 1983 the Iolair was the subject of a commemorative stamp issued by the Post Office, one of three celebrating British engineering achievements. The Iolair is apparently still in service to this day off the Marshall Islands in the Pacific. John MacLeod at sea (Image: Contributed) In 1997, MT Soro, a 300 000-ton fully-loaded oil tanker was en route from Norway to Canada when it ran into trouble in storm conditions, rendering it rudderless. After a 90-minute flight in a Bristow's helicopter from Glasgow, Captain MacLeod, now aged 63, and his trainee pilot David Blair, were winched onto the rolling and pitching vessel. Twenty-six hours later, with the help of a number of tugboats, it was safely anchored south of the Cumbrae Gap in the Clyde, narrowly avoiding an environmental disaster. As senior pilot, John was given the honour of piloting the Royal Yacht Brittania on its final tour of Britain. As she sailed past John Brown's shipyard, her birthplace, she gave a blast on her sirens as a fond farewell. In common with many of the Gourock pilots he was an enthusiastic member of the Gourock Curling Club. In retirement he served as works convenor for the Greenock Medical Aid Society at Glenfield Home. When not travelling extensively around the globe or frequenting his second home in the Lake District, he would be found perfecting his garden 'no more than 20 minutes' walk from Gourock Harbour in case a boat comes round the corner unexpectedly'. John MacLeod was predeceased by Mary, and a son Findlay Neil. He is survived by his daughters, Rhona and Kirsty.
