I’m so happy to be working with Pennington Vertical Gardens for this sponsored post! (Of course, all info and opinions here are my own!)
First, I’m sure you all want to know about the giveaway. Pennington has graciously offered you all a chance to win a $50 American Express gift card. AH KNOW! All you need to do to enter is leave a comment below with your favorite gardening tip. What’s your favorite thing to grow in the garden? Have a favorite recipe you make with something you grew on your own? Let us know in the comments, and you’ll be entered to win $50. For free! I’ll announce the winners next week. (You can get a second entry if you like me on Facebook!)
Pennington makes modular vertical gardening systems that are completely customizable so that you can fit them into your space.
Awesome, right? Obviously, they are vertical, so you can grow upwards instead of outwards. Which means that no matter how much space you have, you can install a garden. I’m excited to try the system that Pennington has provided for me, and you’ll get more deets on that next week!
One thing I love growing in my garden is herbs. They are so easy, and beautiful, and useful. You’ve seen my single herb basil garden before, and this year I planted an ecclectic bunch of herbs. Truthfully, the reason I wanted so many different herbs was for cocktails. But I swear, I’m not a lush.
Now that the garden is growing like mad, it’s time to cash in, so to speak, on the herbal bounty. I’m starting off with a refreshing, delicious cocktail: Cucumber Tarragon Gin & Tonic.
Now, even if you don’t like Gin & Tonic, I suggest to you that you’ll like this cocktail. It’s great for everyone because it’s not too sweet and not too bitter. And refreshing? Gah, you will not believe it.
First, you have to get yourself some tarragon, and hopefully you’ll be able to step out your door and pick some fresh. Nothing like an herb that was actually still growing 90 seconds before you consume it.
Snip off two or three sprigs.
Here’s what you’ll need for your cocktail:
- 2 – 3 sprigs of fresh tarragon
- 2 thick slices of cucumber
- gin
- tonic (diet tonic is fine)
- ice
- a cocktail shaker
- a wooden spoon or muddler
First, put your sprigs of tarragon into your cocktail shaker. I always pull the leaves off and leave the stems out.
Next, add two thick slices of cucumber. If you want a slightly stronger cucumber taste, you can cut these slices into quarters.
Using the end of a wooden spoon, or a muddler if you own one, smash up the cucumber and the tarragon. “Smash” is the technical term, but some people like to say “muddle.” Those people are too cool for school.
You’ll notice that, if you’ve used the slices intact, you’re really only getting the center of the cucumber mushed up. Which is fine. If you cut your cucumber up, you’ll be able to smash the rind as well, and you’ll get more of a cucumber taste. Dealer’s choice!
Now, fill your shaker with ice. To the top. No skimping! Then, add your gin. You want to fill the shaker about 1/3 full.
Now add your tonic. Fill the shaker up, which will end up being 2/3 of the shaker in tonic.
Put the lid on and shake it like a Polaroid picture.
Pour through the strainer into a glass full of ice. You will still get some tarragon bits (depending on how wild you went with the smashing), so if you want a completely clear drink, you can pour through a strainer to eliminate those herb bits. I kind of like them floating in there.
Garnish with tarragon and a slice of cucumber!
And enjoy! Check in next week when I’ll have another herbal cocktail to share with you.
Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Pennington Vertical Gardens, but the entirety of the content of my post is my own.
Disclosure Statement
Pennington Vertical Gardens partnered with bloggers such as me to help educate us all about their Pennington Vertical Gardening System products. As part of this program, I received compensation. They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about the use of the products. Pennington Vertical Gardens believes that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Pennington Vertical Garden’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations. A winner will be chosen by random and gift card fulfillment will be handled by a third party.
I don’t have any gardening tips other than marry someone who likes to garden! We have fresh herbs all the time and could really use a vertical garden in our small backyard. Also? I really need that cocktail to make back-to-school night more interesting this evening.