Maegan-Leigh JacobsAs the sunshine lingers and evenings stretch out, there’s nothing quite like stepping into your garden and gathering fresh herbs for a chilled drink.
Whether you’re looking to whip up a vibrant mocktail or elevate your favourite summer tipple, planting the right herbs means you’ll always be ready. Here’s my guide for South African gardens: what to grow, how to care for it, and how to use it in drinks that feel endless-summer worthy.
Why your garden can be your drink drawer
Growing herbs for drinks gives you flavour, freshness and texture straight from your patch. You’ll skip the supermarket sprigs and hand-pick vibrant leaves at their peak. In fact, easy plants like mint, basil and thyme make great additions to homemade drinks and pair effortlessly with summer cocktails – or mocktails – and are easily grown at home.
5 must-have herbs for your drink garden:
Here are five herbs I always recommend. Choose a couple to start, then build your mini botanical bar.
Mint
Soft yet bold, mint (whether spearmint or a playful variety like chocolate mint) is a summer staple. It grows quickly, and for best results plant it in a pot so it doesn’t take over the garden. Great in sparkling water, iced tea or mocktails with lime and cucumber.
Plant care: Bright spot, regular watering, and snip leaves regularly to encourage fresh growth.
Basil
Whether sweet basil or lemon basil, this herb brings warmth and subtle spice to drinks. It thrives in full sun and pairs beautifully with citrus, ginger or berries. Basil turns “strawberry basil coolers, herbal mocktails, infused waters” into showing-off moments.
Plant care: Good sun, well-drained soil; pinch out flower stems so leaves stay tender.
Lavender
A herb with elegance: lavender adds floral notes and colour to your drink bar. Use it to infuse syrups or steep for a chilled lemonade twist.
Plant care: Loves full sun and free-draining soil. Don’t overwater.
Rosemary
Drought-tolerant and aromatic, rosemary brings structure to your herb bed and flavour to your glasses. Think rosemary & berry spritzers, infusions or simply a sprig garnish.
Plant care: Full sun, allow soil to dry slightly between waterings; prune regularly.
Lemon balm or lemon-thyme
For that citrusy twist, lemon balm (or a lemon-thyme variant) gives a clean, refreshing flavour. Ideal for spritzers, lemonades or iced herbal teas.
Plant care: Sun or partial sun; good drainage; harvest often.
Growing tips
Match soil and sun: Most of these herbs love sun and well-drained soil. Our Cape climate suits Mediterranean-type herbs (rosemary, lavender) and subtropical ones (mint, basil).
Pot vs ground: Mint spreads fast – contain it in a pot. For small patios or balconies, use containers for basil, lemon balm and thyme.
Water smart: Young plants need regular water; established drought-tolerant herbs can cope with less. In summer heat, water early or late to avoid scorching.
Harvest for flavour: Pick leaves in the morning after the dew dries for best scent and flavour. When you harvest, the plant will produce more.
Create a drink-garden zone: Keep your herbs close to your outdoor entertaining area or kitchen door so you’ll reach for fresh leaves without thinking twice.
Simple drink ideas to get you started:
Mint & cucumber cooler: Muddle fresh mint leaves and cucumber slices with a splash of lime juice, top up with sparkling water and ice.
Lavender lemonade: Steep a few lavender sprigs in hot water, add lemon juice and a little sweetener, cool and serve with ice.
Basil-berry spritz: Muddle basil with berries (strawberries or raspberries), add lemon juice, sweetener optional, top with sparkling water.
Rosemary citrus cooler: A single sprig of rosemary plus orange or grapefruit segments, muddled, then ice and still or sparkling water.
Lemon-thyme fizz: Lemon-thyme leaves and a slice of lemon, a dash of honey, top with sparkling water and garnish with fresh twig of thyme.
Your garden doesn’t have to be big or complicated to create a little oasis of flavour. With just a few herbs that thrive in our South African setting, you’ll have the foundation of a vibrant drink garden.
Whether you’re whipping up a mocktail for the kids, an elegant cooler for friends or simply putting mint into your iced tea, the joy is in picking fresh, tasting fresh.
ALSO SEE: PEST-REPELLING HERBS THAT MAKE GREAT COMPANION PLANTS
