Marigolds are one of the most distinctive fall flowers, with their bright orange color and beautiful, ruffled petals. Along with being lovely and autumnal, they're an essential part of the Mexican holiday Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos. These flowers can be found all over Mexico during October, as a colorful signal of the upcoming holiday. To celebrate the Day of the Dead, the arrival of fall, or to simply try a unique, tasty drink, a marigold cocktail is easy and delicious.
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The Flower of Life and Death
Lydia Greene
These edible flowers are believed to bring souls back from the dead, luring them to the land of the living with their bright color and aroma. They're also part of an ancient Aztec legend, and considered a symbol of life and death. Because of this significance, marigolds, or cempasuchil are placed on the altars created during the Day of the Dead, delighting the living and dead with their color and scent.
Marigolds also have a distinctive, yummy taste. They're sometimes referred to as the "poor man's saffron," because their flavour is citrusy and spicy. There are a number of different cocktails using this flower, from marigold margaritas to marigold infused tequila. They taste great with any citrus flavor, like blood orange juice, lemon juice, or lime juice.
To try a new cocktail this Halloween, marigold flowers are a fun way to change it up. You can also make a mocktail if you prefer, simply making marigold simple syrup and adding it to tonic water and lime juice. No matter what, your drink will be citrusy and delicious, and a fun change from your typical cocktail. For this particular marigold cocktail recipe, you don't even need a cocktail shaker, and you can enjoy your Day of the Dead-themed cocktail in ten minutes!
How to Make a Marigold Cocktail
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Start by making the marigold syrup. Remove the petals of 8 marigold flowers, and blend the marigold petals in a blender on medium speed with 2 cups of simple syrup. Strain to remove any solids.
Then, fill a highball glass with ice cubes, and pour .5 ounce marigold syrup into it. Add in 1.5 ounce Roca Patrón Reposdo, 2 ounces tonic water, and .5 ounce lime juice. Stir to combine.
Garnish with orange zest, a lime wedge, and a marigold flower. Enjoy!
Marigold Cocktail
Ingredients
- ice cubes
- 2 cups simple syrup
- 9 marigolds
- 1.5 oz Roca Patrón Reposado Tequila
- 2 oz tonic water
- .5 oz lime juice
Instructions
- Start by making the marigold syrup. Remove the petals of 8 marigold flowers, and blend the marigold petals in a blender on medium speed with 2 cups of simple syrup. Strain to remove any solids.
- Then, fill a highball glass with ice cubes, and pour .5 ounce marigold syrup into it. Add in 1.5 ounce Roca Patrón Reposdo, 2 ounces tonic water, and .5 ounce lime juice. Stir to combine.
- Garnish with orange zest, a lime wedge, and a marigold flower. Enjoy!
