Herbal Spotlight: Muscari, with Zero-Proof & Craft Cocktail Recipes

With their bright blue-purple color and unique urn shape, muscari blossoms are easy to identify.

The cheery clusters of Grape Muscari’s blue-purple flowers are the perfect foil for Spring's daffodils & tulips, but did you know they are delicious as well?  These perennial bulbs produce the familiar, urn-shaped flowers that resemble clusters of grapes. Extremely low maintenance in the garden [indeed, one species is named Muscari neglectum,] they will spread & flower freely once established.  
They are also called Grape Hyacinths, but it is important not to confuse Muscari with true Hyacinths. Hyacinths are toxic to humans & pets; neither their flowers nor bulbs should be consumed. while the names may cause some confusion, luckily, the two look nothing alike. Muscari always feature tiny clusters of blossoms that resemble grapes. 

As with any plants or flowers you are harvesting, a solid ID is
​important to confirm.

Blossoms only for your syrup please!

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Muscari's edible blossoms have no known medicinal uses, but are very high in Vitamins A & C. They have a complex flavor that is a bit sour & slightly reminiscent of grapes.
Some cultures pickle the blossoms to preserve the vitamins & use them in savory dishes. My favorite way to enjoy them is to create Muscari simple syrups & cordials. When used this way, they impart their vivid color to the syrup with spectacular effect!  

​The Muscari syrup makes a delicious, light cordial on its own with soda water [1 TBS in a glass with ice, topped with soda water,] but also is a wonderful addition to zero-proof & craft cocktails. I'll share my recipe for the syrup, as well as a couple of drinks here, but don't limit yourself! it can be used in many ways.  These are very easy recipes to make. I think you will find Muscari blossom's unique flavor to be a new favorite if you give them a try.

Muscari Simple Syrup​

½ cup fresh Muscari flowers, rinsed
1 cup sugar 
1 cup water

Pick & rinse your blossoms. Collect the flowers only for a pure flavor, no stems or leaves. Add your ingredients to a coquette or deep saucepan. Bring to a full boil, stirring. Reduce heat & simmer for about 10 minutes. You will notice the blossoms give up their color to your syrup, giving you a pretty, purple shade. Allow to steep until the syrup comes to room temperature. As it infuses & cools, the tone of the syrup will deepen & I often find it shifts to from true purple to a blue tone. Strain the spent flowers out & compost them. You are now left with a tasty purple or blue syrup!  Enjoy it as a cordial with soda water, or drizzle it on vanilla ice cream or waffles.
OR, gather a few ingredients & give the following drinks a try!

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Amethyst Cooler [Muscari Lemonade]

​2 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 oz Muscari syrup
Sparkling or soda water
Muscari flower & lemon wheel for garnish [optional]

​Fill a tall glass about halfway with ice.
Add lemon juice & syrup to a shaker with some ice cubes. Shake until well chilled.
Strain into your prepared glass, adding some of your ‘dirty’ [used to shake] ice if desired.
Top with sparkling or soda water.
​Garnish & enjoy!
These are super refreshing & their silvery-amethyst color is amazing!

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If you decide to venture into mixing your syrup with alcohol, you will find it pairs well with both vodka & gin. I am partial to using it with the latter, as I find the Muscari flavor enhances the botanical profile of the gin quite nicely. The following is a favorite way of mine to enjoy the combo:

Muscari Gimlet

2.5 oz Gin [I prefer Hendricks for these]
¾ shot Muscari syrup
½ shot fresh lime juice
½ shot Luxardo
Lime twist & Muscari blossom for garnish

​Add liquid ingredients to a cocktail shaker, add ice, & shake until chilled & well combined.
Strain into a Nick & Nora or coupe glass.
Rub the rim of your glass with  the lime peel, garnish with peel & blossom. Cheers!

​These are both delicious & stunning!

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Well, that is it about it for this time! I hope you enjoy your syrup & these drinks. The possibilities are endless with it & I would love to hear back from you just what you create with it!  For instance, my husband is partial to a riff on a Cosmo I make for him with limoncello & Muscari syrup.  Have some fun with it & take care!