Last updated on April 24th, 2012
When sweetened with sugar and perfectly perfumed with Pelargonium graveolens (the rose-scented geranium), iced vodka takes on a whole new meaning. This heavenly cocktail is my very own invention, I believe, and it is oh-so-easy to prepare. Would you like to sample one?
The ingredients:
2 cups sugar
2 cups water
10 rose-scented geranium leaves, plus a few extras for garnish
Icy-cold Vodka (place in freezer for one hour or more)
Bring sugar and water to a boil, stirring occasionally until sugar is dissolved. Reduce heat, add rose-geranium leaves, and let them simmer, gently, for 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat.
Remove the leaves, cover the pan, and allow the mixture to cool.
Fill to half-full a martini glass with vodka, and top-off with your rose-geranium syrup. Stir. Add crushed ice, if desired, and garnish the cocktail with a small sprig of rose-geranium.
You can, of course, make your geranium-syrup in advance, and store it in an air-tight jar in the refrigerator. Then, when guests arrive on some warm, summer evening, you can quickly prepare these delicious, perfumed drinks, and enjoy them on the patio, or while strolling down the garden path.
Think you’ll try my rose-scented cocktail? You can let me know by posting a comment.
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Related Posts:
Three Incredible, Edible, Scented Geraniums
Zonal Geraniums Big and Small
Geraniums Part 2: The Fancy-Leaveds
Gerald says
First, what a great blog! I live in NYC, and hence my gardening is limited to the windowsill. I love looking at your fabulous outdoor gardens, though, and I'm glad you ocassionally address houseplants, like P. graveolens.
As it turns out, I have this rose scented geranium, and vodka, too. Sugar? Well, I'll have to get some, and then I will try your tempting creation. Maybe I'll add a twist of lemon to it.
Janis in Chicago says
Would it not be possible to get the same effect by placing rose petals in the sugar syrup?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Gerald – welcome! Stay tuned, there will be a houseplant extravaganza here during the winter months; I garden during ALL seasons!
I think a twist of lemon would be ideal in this scented-cocktail. I would have added lemon myself, if I'd had it on hand for my experiment yesterday.
Justin says
Actually, once you get the knack for making sugar syrup, the sky is the limit. You can add any flavoring you want!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Janis – I have, in the dim past, tried to extract the essence of rose petals by boiling. The result was disappointing, the aroma very weak. The rose-geranium, on the other hand, easily releases its powerful fragrance when boiled.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Precisely, Justin! And sugar-syrup seems to BEG for scented-geranium leaves!
Judy says
Hi Kevin! Alice's Teacup makes a rose tea where tiny rosebuds actually float in the tea. The aroma is heavenly but are rosebuds edible??
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Judy – yes, there are some edible rosebuds. But I doubt that these are causing the rose fragrance of the tea. It is probably infused with the rose geranium; the rose buds, most likely, are purely decorative.
Andrew Thompson says
Kevin, just wondering which variety of rose geranium you used for this recipe? I know that there are several…Lady Plymouth, etc.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Andrew – I have but one rose geranium variety: 'True Rose.' Its scent is pure. Thanks for asking.
Gerald says
Kevin, my partner and I tried your rose-scented vodka last night, and I have to say it is really amazing, like drinking the nectar of an English rose. And neither of us are big vodka fans.
We're going to serve these cocktails to our guests tomorrow, as pre-dinner drinks. Will think of you as we do, and I'll tell them to check out your blog.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Gerald – Thanks! Enjoy!
Justin Weaver says
Kevin….I have just skimmed through your recipes and want to do the “Julie and Julie” thing and work my way through all 18…they all sound fantastic! However, when I got to this Rose-Geranium Iced Vodka recipe…I said….stop the press! Chris and I will await and invitation to your place to imbibe with you and will before we put on our rollerskates and glide away in our bliss!!
-Justin Weaver
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Justin – LOL!!! Stop by for a garden tour this summer, and I will gladly serve you a Rose-Geramium Iced Vodka! Thanks for stopping by!
KATY says
Kevin hi… love your creativity & inspirational blogs! I was on the Greek island of Scopolos recently & was given a ‘secret’ recipe for flavouring vodka with rose-geranium leaves! Fill a jar with leaves & vodka, add sugar to taste, shake, leave in a cool dim place… shake occasionally; after 6 weeks strain & drink! Enjoy; the Islanders have been for aeons…. apparently! ( Maybe you were one in a past life!!) xx
Birkiecontessa says
Made a pitcher full for a party and it was gone in no time. We went through a bottle of Grey Goose. This is 1 of our top two martinis (the other is cucumber gimlet).
Carillon says
After reading about this cocktail, I had to try it. I ordered the plant from Logee and waited (impatiently) to get enough leaves without denuding the poor plant. Today, we finally were able to try it. It was worth the wait! Thanks for posting this recipe.
Justine M says
Kevin, do you know how long the syrup will “keep” in the fridge? Stoked to try this but not likely to use it very quickly. 🙂
Justine M says
PS Do you recommend a vodka to go with this?
Hildegard GUNN says
can the fresh sweet woodruff be substituted for dried?