Looking for ways to spice up your drinks menu? Then you'll definitely enjoy learning about some drink spices!

Spices have the power to enhance the flavor of famous drinks , mainly through the aromas they cause.

And often, it's through aroma that we make the magic happen in a drink, after all, a good smell is capable of bringing sensations that totally influence the taste of whoever is trying it.

So, if you've ever wondered how to make a drink sweeter, you can try using cinnamon, for example.

But if you've ever wanted to make a sweet treat more refreshing, it's time to learn a little more about the powers of cardamom.

And for many other tips on how to improve the sensations and flavors of your drinks, just continue reading this article with us!

What are the main spices used in drinks?

Below, we've compiled a complete list of drink spices, along with a brief description of their effects when added to beverages and some recipe tips. Check it out!

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is one of the most distinctive drink spices available.

It can be used in drinks in either powdered or shelled form.

One drink suggestion we have for you to try with this spice is gin with passion fruit and cinnamon.

To prepare this tropical and refreshing drink, you will need:

• 1 passion fruit;
• cinnamon bark;
• 50 ml of tonic water;
• 60 ml of gin;
• juniper;
• ice.

First, you will add the passion fruit pulp, tonic water and gin to the glass.

Then, simply add the ice cubes and stir. Finally, add the cinnamon bark and juniper. Both will enhance the flavor of all the other ingredients.

Hibiscus

Among drink spices, hibiscus is one that requires the most care when added to drinks.

This is because, if added in excess, it can make everything more bitter and steal the flavor of the other ingredients.

Therefore, our tip is to include it with other sweeter items, such as cranberries, or even spicy spices, such as pink pepper and juniper.

Star anise

Star anise is one of the most common drink spices used in gin and tonics.

Originating in China, it has the power to make drinks more refreshing and at the same time spicier.

Today, we chose to present you a simple drink recipe with this spice, the American Glory.

To prepare it, you will need:

• gooseberry;
• orange juice;
• orange;
• champagne;
• star anise;
• ice cubes.

When preparing it, you will add 10 ml of blackcurrant, 10 ml of orange juice and champagne to your glass.

Next, you add the ice cubes, the orange slice and the star anise.

To finish, just stir the mixture with a spoon and enjoy your creation!

Cardamom

Cardamom is another drink spice that has the power to make a drink refreshing.

Similar to ginger, cardamom adds a spicy kick to the palate and is perfect for flavoring drinks.

With this spice, our drink tip is Stars, which you'll need the following ingredients to prepare:

• 50 ml of gin;
• 150 ml of tonic water;
• 1 orange slice;
• 4 cardamom pods;
• 3 units of star anise;
• ice.

The method involves, firstly, passing the orange slice around the edges of the glass, as this will add aroma to the drink.

Then, add the ice, gin, and tonic water. Finally, simply add the cardamom pods, the orange slices you used earlier, and the star anise.

Pink pepper

There's no doubt that of all the spices for drinks, pepper is the one that best adds a spicy kick to drinks.

Pink pepper is the best option for exploring this type of flavor and making the drink more sophisticated.

Our tip is to use this spice in moderation, and always try to mix it with sweeter or more acidic items, such as cranberry and lemon.

Juniper

Juniper is a spice originating from Europe, blue or black in color and, curiously, is already used in the composition of distilled spirits.

So, when you choose to add it to drinks, its effect will be to accentuate the flavor that already exists in them.

Some common drinks that have extra juniper added are the hibiscus and juniper-infused gin and tonic and the soursop, gin and tonic drink, both extremely refreshing.

Dehydrated orange peel

Dried orange peel is one of the perfect drink spices to accompany Gin & Tonic, Negroni and Aperol Spritz.

It can also be used to flavor non-alcoholic drinks and cocktails, as well as decorate them.

Nutmeg

Nutmeg is a spice with a strong aroma, but it should be used in moderation.

This is because ingesting whole nutmeg seeds can cause hallucinations, in addition to having abortive properties.

So, be careful when adding it to drinks where it is commonly used, such as Alexander, Winter Spiced Negroni or Gin and Tonic.

Clove

Cloves are a spice for drinks already well known for their refreshing and spicy flavor.

Our suggestion for a drink to try with cloves and see if you like the results is caipirinha. So, are you ready to give it a try?

Discover delicious drinks with spices

You've probably noticed that spiced gin drinks are the ones that stand out the most so far, right?

This is because gin is what allows for the explosion of flavors and aromas that spices provide, in addition to the fact that 80% of our taste is related to smell.

Below, we present the results of the most popular flavors of spiced drink combinations.

Citrus flavors

Citrus flavors are ideal for pairing with spirits such as gin, cachaça, and vodka.

Of all the drink spices that can bring that citrusy touch to the drink, we highlight cardamom.

Sweet flavors

Liqueur drinks often bring this sweet flavor to the palate of those who try it.

Among the drink spices that can make drinks sweeter, we highlight cinnamon.

Spicy flavors

Spicy flavors can obviously be provided by pepper.

Our tip here is to add it to colder drinks, in vodka shots and also accompanied by other ingredients, such as fruits of your choice.

See examples of how to pair your drinks

Here, we highlight other spiced drink recipes you can explore. Come check it out!

Gin and tonic

To prepare a different gin and tonic with juniper, you will need:

• a third of a glass with gin;
• tonic water to fill the glass;
• 3 junipers;
• Sicilian lemon;
• 1 teaspoon of roasted coffee beans;
• ice.

When preparing, you must first have a tall glass to place a slice or wedge of Sicilian lemon in the bottom.

Then you fill the glass with ice to the brim and then add the coffee beans and juniper berries.

Finally, simply pour the gin until the glass is a third full and top up with tonic water.

Alexander

To prepare Alexander with nutmeg, you will need:

• 50ml of gin;
• 7 ice cubes;
• nutmeg;
• 50ml of cream;
• 50ml of cocoa cream.

To begin the preparation, you must place the cream in your blender and blend it until it becomes a cream.

Next, place all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake before pouring into a glass.

Once the drink is finished, simply grate the nutmeg over the top.

Moscow Mule

The Moscow Mule is a cocktail that already has a spice in its composition: ginger.

To make this famous mug drink, you will need:

• 1 shot of vodka;
• 1 lemon;
• 1 cinnamon stick;
• 1 tablespoon chopped ginger;
• 2 mint leaves;
• sparkling water;
• brown sugar;
• ice.

The first step in preparation is to mix the brown sugar and cinnamon sticks in a pan and let them boil.

Then, in the mug, add the lemon juice, ice, vodka, ginger liquid, and cinnamon, topping up with sparkling water.

Mint leaves can be used to garnish the drink or even as part of the recipe.

Discover the first and only bottled drink made with tequila in Brazil!

Conclusion

As you've seen throughout this article, drink spices can do a lot of magic in your drinks.

This is because they can accentuate a sweeter, spicier or more citrusy flavor, as well as adding more freshness or even more heat to a drink.

Spices are already highly valued in kitchen dishes and now it's their time to shine in your glasses, so why not embrace them and start exploring these new opportunities?

To do this, save this post and whenever you want to try something new in your drinks, check out the recipe and spice tips we've highlighted here.