Flower Power: Chamomile Cocktails

May 12, 2021

Chamomile-infused tequila cocktail: The Birds and the Bees — The Birds and the Bees | Photo by Liz Clayman

Chamomile Bourbon Milk Punch | Photo by Erin Scott

Cure Chamomile Kilt — Chamomile Kilt | Photo by Denny Culbert

Chamomile Spritz | Photo by Caroline Pardilla

eveleigh-lemonade-CRDT-dylan-&-jeni — Eveleigh Lemonade | Photo by Dylan & Jeni

brown sugar shochu cocktail — Kurozatō Seppun | Photo by Shiho Fukada

Muppet Juice chamomile vodka cocktail — Muppet Juice | Photo by Samantha Marie Photography

The Scotch y Coco Chanel by LyAnna Sanabria — The Scotch y Coco Chanel | Photo by Greta Rybus

chamomile cocktail — Snakebit Sprout | Photo by Jody Horton

Zero-Proof Cocktail — Sixth Hour | Photo by Rick O'Brien

chamomile cordial — Yankee Notions | Photo by Lara Ferroni

A member of the daisy family, chamomile has been used in elixirs since ancient China, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. In more recent years, traditional medicine practitioners, tea blenders, and homeopaths have called upon the flowering herb to treat anxiety, sleeplessness, indigestion, and more. But flower power takes many forms—including as an ingredient in cocktails.

The Birds & The Bees

Chamomile-infused tequila makes for a bright and refreshing cocktail with delicate floral notes.

Chamomile Bourbon Milk Punch

Clarified coconut milk lends a rich and creamy texture to this vegan milk punch.

Chamomile Kilt

A classic from award-winning New Orleans bar Cure sweetened by chamomile simple syrup.

Chamomile Spritz

In this chamomile spritz, quinquina plays up the herbaceous tea notes and is topped with sparkling wine.

Eveleigh Lemonade

Chamomile-infused tequila anchors this honey-sweetened citrus cooler.

Kurozatō Seppun

Delicate shochu meets chamomile tea and honey-ginger syrup.

Muppet Juice

For a playful and refreshing cocktail, mix up this chamomile vodka cocktail with chile liqueur and guanabana juice.

Snake Bit Sprout

Chamomile flowers perfume this refreshing cocktail.

The Scotch y Coco Chanel

Sherry and tea lend complexity to this scotch highball.

The Sixth Hour

Chamomile tea meets up with pineapple and lime in this zero-proof drink.

Yankee Notions

Subtlety is the name of the game in this cocktail from Employees Only.

Dà Lat Highlands

At Moon Rabbit, a Vietnamese restaurant in downtown Washington, D.C., bar director Thi Nguyen infuses vodka with chamomile to make his Dà Lat Highlands cocktail. “Chamomile adds a soft and honeyed, floral character to the vodka,” Nguyen says, which complements the sweet-tart combination of simple syrup and citrus and pineapple juices. “Plus, dried chamomile—hoa cúc—is often found in Vietnamese households as a remedy for rest and relaxation, so I wanted to carry that cultural familiarity in the cocktail,” Nguyen says.

1 1/2 oz. chamomile-infused vodka
3/4 oz. pineapple juice
1/2 oz. lemon juice
1/2 oz. simple syrup (1:1)
1/4 oz. yellow Chartreuse

Glassware: Nick & Nora
Garnish: chamomile flowers

Shake all of the ingredients with ice until chilled. Double strain into a chilled glass, then garnish.
Chamomile-Infused VodkaCombine 5 grams of chamomile and 1 liter of vodka in a large covered container and let sit at room temperature for 24 hours. Double strain the infusion and bottle; use within 2 months.

Thi Nguyen, Moon Rabbit, Washington, D.C.