Frozen Flowers for Your Patio Drinks

What flowers to use?

Whatever accentuates the drink, in both taste and visual appeal. Lovely small edible flowers include violas, tiny rosebuds, gem marigolds, dianthus, and the flowers of all herb plants.

Think about what flavor will enhance the taste of the beverage. Violas and roses have a slightly sweet, floral taste. Gem marigolds taste like the citrus fruits they’re named for: orange, lemon, or tangerine. Dianthus is sweet and spicy; some varieties taste exactly like cloves. Herb flowers taste like you would think, like their parent. So, put the tastes together in your mind. How about clove dianthus blossoms in a deep rose color for your homemade lemonade. Or orange gem marigolds in white wine spritzer. Or the tender blue of rosemary flowers for a subtle richness to iced tea.