there is this really beautiful plant nursery near where we live and a couple of years ago they opened a restaurant on site focused on seasonal, farm to table food. it is one of the most beautiful places to dine, not just near me, but anywhere. and the first time i went i had a tasty cocktail that had some really impressive little star flowers in it. after some research, i discovered that they are the flowers of the borage plant.

after a little digging, i discovered it is an herb often used for medicinal purposes. the flowers and leaves are used for everything from headaches to depression and its oil can be used for all types of skin conditionals as well as arthritis. AND while you probably wont be able to purchase a plant of borage at your local nursery, they are VERY easy to grow on your own. you can find seeds HERE and before you know it, you can have your own stunning star flowers.

now with all that blubbering about a less than one inch blossom out of the way, the point is they are a great compliment to this cocktail. this spring time beverage is delicious with edible flower garnish or with out. it is a little sweet, a wee bit tart, very herbaceous and the perfect way to start your passover/easter weekend.

lemon + sage sparkler

serves: 1 cocktail

prep time: 1 minute

active time: 2 minutes

total time: 3 minutes

ingredients: 2 oz vodka. 1 oz lemon juice + small lemon wheel for garnish. 4 large sage leaves, torn and smashed to release their oils + a sprig of sage for garnish. 1 tsp sugar. 5 oz club soda. 2 cups ice. borage flowers for garnish, optional. muddler. shaker.

start by combining the torn and smashed sage leaves, the sugar and the lemon juice together in the base of your shaker.

muddle the mixture until the sage is really smashed and the sugar is absorbed into the liquid.

add in the vodka and half the ice to the shaker and shake well till everything is combined.

strain the contents of the shaker over the remaining ice in your serving glass. top the drink off with the club soda and stir well.

garnish with your sage sprig, lemon wheel and edible flowers if you have them. serve and enjoy.

xo, a

lemon + sage sparkler

serves: 1 cocktail

prep time: 1 minute

active time: 2 minutes

total time: 3 minutes

ingredients: 2 oz vodka. 1 oz lemon juice + small lemon wheel for garnish. 4 large sage leaves, torn and smashed to release their oils + a sprig of sage for garnish. 1 tsp sugar. 5 oz club soda. 2 cups ice. borage flowers for garnish, optional. muddler. shaker.

start by combining the torn and smashed sage leaves, the sugar and the lemon juice together in the base of your shaker. muddle the mixture until the sage is really smashed and the sugar is absorbed into the liquid. add in the vodka and half the ice to the shaker and shake well till everything is combined. strain the contents of the shaker over the remaining ice in your serving glass. top the drink off with the club soda and stir well. garnish with your sage sprig, lemon wheel and edible flowers if you have them. serve and enjoy.

now, before you go panicking that it's going to be nothing but mocktails and mommy smoothies for the next six months, calm yourself. i still make wes a weekly cocktail and friyay happy hour will live on.

in fact, i doctored up this mocktail for wesley with two ounces of tequila and an ounce of triple sec. so if you are still needing something boozy today, you can easily convert this to a strawberry hibiscus margarita. hell, just add some vodka and you will be good to go if that is more your style.

now, for those moms to be and all those non drinkers out there, today we have a delicious non alcoholic beverage. hibiscus syrup is a great ingredient to keep on hand to add sweetness and flavor to a beverage or baked good. and it perfectly compliments the gorgeous strawberries on produce store shelves right now.

strawberry hibiscus mocktail

serves: 1 cocktail

prep time: 2 minutes

active time: 2 minutes

total time: 4 minutes

ingredients: 3 strawberries, two diced and one for garnish. 1 oz hibiscus syrup. 1 oz lemon juice. 6 oz club soda. 1 cup ice. muddler. strainer. edible flowers for garnish, optional.

in the cup of a shaker or pint glass, combine your diced strawberries, lemon juice and hibiscus syrup.

muddle till all the strawberries are smashed to smithereens. put a slice in your remaining strawberry and add it to the rim of your serving glass. fill your serving glass with ice.

use the strainer to strain the liquid over the ice in your serving glass.

top it off with the club soda and stir well to combine.

garnish with edible flowers and serve.

xo, a

strawberry hibiscus mocktail

serves: 1 cocktail

prep time: 2 minutes

active time: 2 minutes

total time: 4 minutes

ingredients: 3 strawberries, two diced and one for garnish. 1 oz hibiscus syrup. 1 oz lemon juice. 6 oz club soda. 1 cup ice. muddler. strainer. edible flowers for garnish, optional.

in the cup of a shaker or pint glass, combine your diced strawberries, lemon juice and hibiscus syrup. muddle till all the strawberries are smashed to smithereens. put a slice in your remaining strawberry and add it to the rim of your serving glass. fill your serving glass with ice. use the strainer to strain the liquid over the ice in your serving glass. top it off with the club soda and stir well to combine. garnish with edible flowers and serve.