Going to the grocery store every time a recipe calls for a new herb is time consuming and inconvenient. Luckily, there’s a simple solution—grow the herbs yourself. These flavorful plants are easy to cultivate and use in the kitchen. Why buy these ingredients when you can have them fresh from the backyard—or even a windowsill?
Herbs are the perfect ingredients to spice up a beverage, and as the temperatures rise this season, refreshing cold drinks are a great way to cool down. We’ve found a few fun ways to incorporate herb gardening when crafting summer drink recipes—all of which are suitable for the entire family to enjoy.
Mint is a perennial herb that grows best in wet, moist environments. There are many different types of mint (like spearmint, peppermint) and they generally grow anywhere from 4 to 47 inches in height. 
The herb can thrive in various light conditions ranging from full sun to partial shade. Mint grows quickly, so keep it in a container to keep it from spreading around your garden.
Try making a family friendly version of the infamous Cuban mojito for a relaxing afternoon out on the patio. Place 30 mint leaves in a bowl, along with the juice of 4 limes and ¼ cup of sugar. Muddle the mixture together to break up the mint leaves. Place ingredients in a pitcher. Add ice and 3 cups of lime club soda. Stir and serve.
Basil is an annual herb that grows best in hot, dry environments. It loves the sun, so if indoors, place it along a windowsill that receives good light. The plant grows 12 to 24 inches tall—be sure to pick the leaves regularly to stimulate growth.
You may be familiar with basil in Italian cooking (it accounts for a lot of the flavor in pesto sauce), but it also makes for a great addition to a drink. Try mixing it with strawberries to make a Strawberry Basil Soda.
Place 3 cups of strawberries (tops removed) in a blender and puree. Mix puree with 3 cups of carbonated soda water. Add juice of one lime. Chop 10 basil leaves and mix into beverage, along with desired ice. Makes 1 pitcher.
Lavender is a hearty, perennial shrub (but often considered an annual in the South) that is beautiful to look at and even more wonderful to smell. The plant thrives in hot environments, does not need a lot of water 
and prefers air that is not humid. English lavender is one of the most common varieties.
Frequently used in essential oils, teas and baked goods, the herb can also add a touch of flavor to a cold drink. Try it out with Lavender Lemonade—just use the herb sparingly.
Start by creating your own lemonade: Combine ½ cup of sugar with 1 ½ cups of boiling water and stir until sugar has dissolved. Let the mixture cool. Add ½ cup of lemon juice and 2 ½ cups of water to mixture. Mix in 3 tablespoons of lavender flowers.
Rosemary is a perennial shrub that can grow up to 4 feet tall in a garden. The hardy plant can survive a long period of time without water and loves the sun. The needle-like leaves often have flowers ranging in color from blue to purple.
The herb’s distinct flavor is primarily used to accent cooked dishes, but it can also be mixed into a delicious drink. Try making a Rosemary Grapefruit Soda. In a pitcher, combine 2 tablespoons of sugar and ¼ cup of grapefruit juice. Mix together until the sugar dissolves. Add 2 ¾ cups of grapefruit juice, 2 cups of carbonated soda water, 3 sprigs of rosemary and ice. Stir well and pour into glasses.
