Also known as coriander, cilantro is a wild herb that is used in variety of dishes as well as cocktails. The herb is coveted by mixologists and bartenders for its zesty, slightly sweet, and slightly spicy flavour, which helps add some balance and dimension to a given cocktail and elevates it to the next level. Cilantro is also highly versatile and can be used in numerous cocktails, ranging from margarita to martini to mojito, depending on one’s personal preference.
Also Read: Coriander or Cilantro: Loved In Both Ways
Owing to its adaptability, cilantro also pairs well with a number of taste profiles; basically, it can be used to elevate spicy, sweet, as well as fruity cocktails. Cilantro is naturally imbued with an earthy consistency and a citrusy flavour, which typically counteracts the sweet and spice components of a drink, resulting in a well-balanced and a refreshing cocktail. As cilantro is easily accessible, it is quite easy to whip up cilantro-infused cocktails from home.
Here’s a list of five popular cilantro-infused cocktails to quench all your boozy cravings.
Cilantro Margarita
Cilantro margarita takes the classic margarita up a notch by giving it a zesty kick. When the simple syrup is blended with cilantro, the drink takes on a surprising, almost extraordinary flavour. The savoury undertone of cilantro provides a lovely counterbalance to the inherent sweetness present in the other elements of a classic margarita, leading to the invention of a deeply unique, satisfying, and revitalizing cocktail.
Spicy Cucumber Cocktail
This cocktail seamlessly blends the flavours of several ingredients, such as cucumber, cilantro, lemon, and serrano pepper. While the cucumber and cilantro combine to make an invigorating drink, the spice and heat of the serrano pepper lend the drink an impressive depth of flavour. Club soda, lemon juice, and sugar are also added to this drink to ensure it achieves the perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavours. The drink is topped off with cucumber garnish to enhance its visual appeal.
Spicy Roasted Pineapple Cilantro Cocktail
This is a one-of-a-kind cocktail that effortlessly combines the tangy flavour of lime and tequila with the spiciness of cilantro as well as the sweetness of roasted pineapple. This drink is a must try for all the lovers of spice out there as it is also imbued with a hint of Aleppo pepper, which provides the cocktail a powerful note of heat. The combination of cilantro and pepper helps balance out the sugary sweet notes of pineapple; the resulting cocktail is exploding with a fusion of delicious flavours.
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Spicy La Pina Mezcal Cocktail
This is another cocktail that makes use of pineapple as one of its primary components. In this cocktail, the smoky flavour of mezcal interacts with the sweetness of pineapple juice as well as the tartness of lime juice, creating a highly refined and sophisticated drink. It is recommended to add some jalapeño to this drink to enhance its spice element. Additionally, one can top the drink off with a sprig of cilantro to lend it a fresh and inviting appearance.
Image Credits: Freepik
Cilantro Grapefruit Gin and Tonic
The cilantro and grapefruit gin and tonic is a bold and vibrant twist on the traditional gin and tonic. This cocktail brings together the distinctive flavours of lime, grapefruit, and cilantro to form a tasty as well as an elegant drink. Bartenders and mixologists often garnish this drink with fresh herbs to give its taste profile some layers, complexity, and richness. This drink is a must try for admirers of gin and grapefruit, as well as anybody who is looking for something different and exciting to experiment with.