Spruce Tip Gin Fizz Cocktail. A classic cocktail with a botanical twist using fresh foraged Newfoundland spruce tips. Refreshing any time of the year, with an option to substitute with rosemary!
Spruce Tip Gin Fizz Cocktail
Hello folks, Olivia here again.
Summer is certainly in full swing here in Newfoundland as we enjoy our time at Baccalieu Cottage.
Baccalieu Cottage Ochre Pit Cove.
The warm weather is a welcome change, especially after the very long winter we had this year.
That long winter seems to have delayed some of the wild goods we’re lucky to forage in this province.
Foraging is one of my absolute favourite things to do when I come home from Toronto in the summers. Every year I try to familiarize myself with new plants and species to find, pick and cook with.
We found these spruce tips on a walk in the forest. Excellent for drinks, with fish, and more!
Foraging has its surprises.
It came as a surprise when I came across spruce tips during a walk in the woods in early July. These are the new growth shoots from spruce trees, and when picked at the right time, they are tender and flavourful.
From springtime into June is typically when you can find them, but this season was certainly late in Newfoundland (and may even typically come later, versus other places.)
It’s important when foraging for anything to be certain about what you are collecting, and to respect the land and care for the plants from which you are taking.
Local forager Shawn Dawson has an excellent book called The Forager’s Dinner, which is a fantastic jumping off point for folks in Newfoundland and Labrador (and beyond!)
Freshly foraged spruce tips on a rainy day in the forest.
To celebrate finding this little treasure trove, I decided to make a cocktail – the best way to celebrate anything, really.
Spruce tip cocktails are found in several of St. John’s great restaurants while they’re in season. I remember a few variations on the bar menu at The Merchant Tavern and Raymond’s while I worked there in university.
A refreshing cocktail any time of the year!
If you’re reading this and have no access to spruce tips, or they are no longer in season, fret not! I’ve included a rosemary substitution which provides a similarly fresh, pine-y effect.
This is a fantastic easy cocktail recipe whether you’re beating the summer heat, or feeling something festive during the Holidays. I hope you enjoy!
Looking for another local cocktail idea?
One of our most popular cocktail recipes was one that keeps Newfoundland berries front and centre; Blueberry Rum Slush. Try substituting with gin or vodka if you aren’t a fan of rum!
Blueberry Rum Slush.
Like this Spruce Tip Gin Fizz recipe?
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Make your own freshly foraged cocktail using spruce tips or rosemary!
Spruce Tip Gin Fizz Cocktail
Ingredients
For the Spruce Tip Simple Syrup
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup fresh foraged spruce tips (or substitute 6 sprigs of rosemary)
For the Gin Fizz Cocktail
- 2 oz gin
- 3/4 oz lemon juice
- 3/4 oz spruce tip simple syrup
- 1 egg white (optional)
- Club soda or sparking water, to finish
Instructions
- Add sugar and water to a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Once it reaches a boil, remove from heat and stir in the spruce tips or rosemary.
- Cover the syrup and let it cool. I let the mixture steep overnight at minimum.
- To store: strain the liquid and add 2 tsp lemon juice. Store in an airtight jar and keep in fridge for up to one month.
- Add gin, lemon juice, simple syrup and egg white in a cocktail shaker over ice.
- Shake well until the shaker is frosty and very cold, minimum 30 seconds.
- Pour the cocktail in your desired tumbler glass filled with ice.
- Top the drink with club soda and a twist of lemon.
To make the Spruce Tip Simple Syrup:
To make the Gin Fizz Cocktail:
Notes
If you don't have access to spruce tips, substitute using a few sprigs of rosemary.
If you prefer to not use egg white, no problem. Top with extra club soda, and you now have a Spruce Tip Tom Collins!
Nutrition Information
Yield
1Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 180Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgFiber 0gSugar 15g
The nutritional information provided is automatically calculated by third party software and is meant as a guideline only. Exact accuracy is not guaranteed. For recipes where all ingredients may not be used entirely, such as those with coatings on meats, or with sauces or dressings for example, calorie & nutritional values per serving will likely be somewhat lower than indicated.
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