10 Edible Garnishes to Jazz Up Your Next Mocktail

What is a mocktail or cocktail garnish? 

To garnish means to decorate or embellish.

Think of it as some bling for your drink. It's not crucial, but it makes things look nice. 

When drinks call for a garnish, it is typically some visual addition to the drink that may or may not be intended to be consumed. I prefer to use edible garnishes for most mocktails because it can introduce a texture element to the drink.

Are you supposed to eat a drink garnish?

Etiquette-wise, a garnish that is on or above the rim of the glass can be consumed if it’s consumable. (Do not attempt to eat a bamboo stick parading as a paper umbrella.)  However, if the garnish is in the glass below the rim, it’s best to leave it. Old Soul Etiquette has a darling Instagram reel about it. 

10 Edible Garnishes

1. Citrus Twists

Lemon, lime, or orange twists can be a beautiful and elegant touch to many drinks, but especially citrus-heavy drinks such as lemonades or non-alcoholic mojitos.  They also bring a bright citrus aroma that I personally love. 

2. Mint Sprigs

3. Fresh Berries

Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries can add color in and out of the glass. They can be skewered with a cocktail pick or decorative one-time-use bamboo spear.

While you can technically use frozen berries, fresh berries are much, much prettier. And since a garnish is supposed to embellish the drink, go for fancy. Heck, if you have gold leaf, dust a little of that on for a super bougie look. 

4. Cucumber Slices

Thin slices of cucumber look stylish and impart a subtle, crisp flavor to your mocktail. They are typically placed inside the cup before it is filled with ice. However, I’ve seen thin ribbons of cucumber ruched onto a cocktail spear, which was stunning.

Nat over at Mindful Mocktail has a beautiful example of using cucumbers as a garnish.

5. Edible Flowers

I LOVE edible flowers. A hydroponic farm near me sells them, and I’m obsessed with serving them to my guests as often as possible. 

Orchids, pansies, violets, lilacs, roses, and marigolds are just some of the flowers you can use. 

They can be a visually stunning addition and turn your drink into edible art. 

6. Herb Sprigs

In addition to mint, you can use rosemary, thyme, or basil sprigs, just to name a few, to add a savory and aromatic dimension to your drinks.

Just as with mint, keep the leaves as protected as you can so they do not bruise before you serve the drink. 

In my Cranberry and Rosemary Mocktail, you can see how I used fresh rosemary to accentuate the deep red color of the drink.

7. Ginger Slices

 Thin slices of fresh ginger can provide a spicy kick and complement the flavors of many mocktails. Instead of placing it on top of the glass or rim, I typically add several slices into the glass itself for drinks that have a ginger flavor. 

Related - What’s the difference between Ginger Ale and Ginger Beer?

8. Pineapple Wedge

A pineapple wedge can be a tropical and juicy garnish and is perfect for summer mocktails. The size of the slice should correspond to the size of the glass. If you have a delicate and petite drink with fresh pineapple juice, a small wedge will do. But if you have a massive pina colada, you can add an equally large slice of pineapple

9. Maraschino Cherry

Ah, the classic maraschino cherry that people associate with ice cream sundaes or the ubiquitous Shirley Temple Mocktail.

These have a nostalgic appeal that some people love. Other people despise the bright red cherry. To each their own, I say. 

For a more glamorous take, use a fresh cherry, gently cut in half and pitted. They are beautiful!  

10. Grated Nutmeg or Cinnamon

A sprinkle of freshly grated nutmeg or a dash of ground cinnamon can enhance the aroma and flavor profile of certain mocktails. 

I underestimated this until I had high-quality fresh nutmeg grated over a drink. The taste wasn’t very strong, but the additional aroma component made the drink even more decadent and multilayered. 

Question for you! 

What garnishes do you want to know more about? And do you have any fun memories of a unique or interesting garnish you’ve encountered?