If you love fresh, garden-inspired cocktails, this Emerald Simple Syrup is about to become your new favorite mixer.
It’s bold, aromatic, and easy to make, blending mint, rosemary, and basil into one vibrant syrup that can transform everything from your mojito to your mocktail.
I grow all of these herbs in my little urban garden, which makes it a no-brainer simple syrup recipe for my cocktails most of the year.
This herb combo creates a layered, refreshing flavor that’s sweet, slightly savory, and incredibly versatile. The mint brings the coolness, the basil adds a soft peppery note, and the rosemary gives it a hint of earthiness.
Together, they strike a perfect balance that works in citrusy cocktails, herbal spritzers, and even iced teas or lemonades.
You can use this syrup as a base for a signature cocktail, drizzle it into sparkling water, or get creative and pour it over shaved ice or fruit salad.
The flavor is concentrated but smooth—and it’s a great way to use up those extra herbs from your garden or grocery haul.
Tips and Variations
- Want a stronger syrup? Let it steep longer before straining.
- Use dried herbs? Avoid whenever possible, but if you must, stick to about 1 tablespoon total; note that the flavor will be more muted and not nearly as fresh tasting.
- Try variations: Swap in lemon thyme or lavender for a different herbal profile.
- Great in: gin cocktails, lemonade, mojitos, whiskey sours, herbal iced tea, or sparkling water.
Serving Idea
Use this syrup to create a vibrant herbal spritz with club soda, lime, and a splash of gin—or mix it into a cucumber cocktail for a next-level refresher.
Cocktails that Use Emerald Syrup
Emerald Simple Syrup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 packed cup fresh herbs (equal parts mint, rosemary, and basil)
(or approximately 1 ounce if using a scale)
Instructions
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the water and sugar.
- Stir until the sugar fully dissolves and the mixture is hot (but not boiling).
- Add the fresh herbs and reduce the heat to low.
- Let the mixture steep at a gentle simmer for 5 to 7 minutes.
- Remove from heat and allow the syrup to cool with the herbs still in the pot for another 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how strong you want the flavor.
- Strain through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean glass jar (like this) or bottle.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze it for later use.
Emerald Simple Syrup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 oz packed cup fresh herbs equal parts mint, rosemary, and basil
Instructions
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the water and sugar.
- Stir until the sugar fully dissolves and the mixture is hot (but not boiling).
- Add the fresh herbs and reduce the heat to low.
- Let the mixture steep at a gentle simmer for 5 to 7 minutes.
- Remove from heat and allow the syrup to cool with the herbs still in the pot for another 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how strong you want the flavor.
- Strain through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean glass jar (like this) or bottle.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze it for later use.
