The Violet Hour Loves Herb Hybrids from Gethsemane Garden Center

Featured Tastybeat gem The Violet Hour (on Damen Avenue in Wicker Park) has forever turned Tastybeat on to the wonder of herb hybrids. The Violet Hour's talented mixologist Stephen Cole gets his from Edgewater's Gethsemane Garden Center. If you've tried The Violet Hour, you already know their cocktails are truly outstanding. Now you can create some of this magic at home for your next summer cocktail party or lazy afternoon on the deck.

Stephen's favorites are the mint hybrids that include chocolate mint, apple mint and ginger mint. Using his favorite mint hybrids, Stephen has created three original cocktails recipes especially for Tastybeat readers. Experiment, mix, sip, and enjoy!

While shopping for your herb hybrids at Gethsemane, hunt down their effervescent and extremely knowledgeable expert, Victoria. Victoria of Herbs (as many know her) will inspire you to explore the plethora of herb hybrids on hand. In addition to the mint hybrids Stephen raves about, Tastybeat went crazy for Gethsemane's basil hybrids. With clove and allspice, the Indian basil would be very interesting to have at the ready in the kitchen; the dark leaves of the Red-Rubin basil would be a beautiful addition to many of your favorite dishes; and the cinnamon basil (yes, it's true!) could be just the secret ingredient you seek for your next dish. We could go on and on. Tastybeat's favorite is the lime basil hybrid. It's citrusy with even more punch than the traditional lemon basil. Try using it in a refreshing non-alcoholic drink of muddled lime basil with lemonade. Lime basil also works beautifully in salad dressings, salsas and margaritas.

Happy Exploring,

Tastybeat

The Violet Hour
1520 North Damen Ave (map)
Chicago IL 60622
773.252.1500
Hours: 6pm-2am Sunday-Friday, 6pm-3am Saturdays

Gethsemane Garden Center
5739 N Clark St (map)
Chicago IL
773.878.5915
Mid Summer Hours:
Mon-Wed 9am - 6pm
Thur-Fri 9am - 7pm
Sat-Sun 9am - 6pm