Named after Gardening Australia’s show host Costa Georgiadis, The Costa Spritzer is a non-alcoholic cocktail I created to welcome him in my edible and cocktail garden.
The Costa Spritzer – Photo © Cocktails & Bars
As seen on Botanical Beverages: My Segment on Gardening Australia
When Gardening Australia contacted me to film my edible and cocktail garden, I was asked to create a non-alcoholic welcome drink for the show’s host, Costa Georgiades. As we started filming early in the morning, I wanted to make a light and refreshing beverage using ingredients from my garden.
The non-alcoholic cocktail combines Southeast Asian flavours using two ingredients growing in The Gourmantic Garden, namely lemongrass and Thai basil. The third ingredient is pandan, a plant that thrives in the tropics and difficult to grow in Sydney’s climate. I was able to source pandan leaves which I used to make the lemongrass and pandan simple syrup.
The Costa Spritzer brings together the hydrating properties of coconut water and the Southeast Asian flavours of the home-made lemongrass and pandan syrup. A squeeze of fresh lime brightens the drink which is lengthened with soda water. The cocktail is garnished with a sprig of Thai basil from The Gourmantic Garden which adds a herbaceous and a gentle aniseed aroma.
The Costa Spritzer Recipe
Created by Corinne Mossati for Costa Georgiadis, Host of ABC’s Gardening Australia TV Show
Ingredients
- 60ml coconut water (no added sugar)
- 30ml lemongrass and pandan syrup
- 10ml lime juice, freshly squeezed
- 60ml sparkling soda water
Glassware: tall glass
Garnish: Thai basil sprig
Method
In a cocktail shaker, add coconut water, syrup and freshly squeezed lime juice over ice. Shake hard until the tin feels very cold. Strain into a tall glass with ice cubes. Top with soda and using a bar spoon, give the drink a gentle stir. Garnish with a Thai basil sprig.
You can view my Botanical Beverages segment on Gardening Australia here.
