The Savoury Side of Cocktails & Garnishes

Welcome to the bold and innovative world of savoury cocktails. While we love a good drink for dessert, these unique beverages offer a refreshing alternative to sweet, fruity drinks. By incorporating savoury ingredients such as herbs, spices and even vegetables, savoury cocktails deliver a complex taste experience that delights the palate. Join us as we delve into what makes a cocktail savoury, highlight some of our favourite recipes and provide tips for crafting the perfect drink.

What are savoury cocktails?

Savoury cocktails offer a refined alternative to traditionally sweet or sour drinks, embracing earthy, herbaceous, salty and umami-rich flavours. Umami is one of the five basic tastes and it can mean meaty or brothy. With their food-like, complex profiles, it’s not surprising that savoury cocktails can pair perfectly with fine cuisine. Unlike sugary cocktails, savoury drinks balance boldness and depth, inviting a sophisticated exploration of flavour.

Top savoury cocktails to try

The best way to understand a savoury cocktail is to experience it yourself. Perhaps the most iconic savoury cocktail to try would be the Dirty Martini Cocktail. It features olive brine for a salty taste — and you can ask for it extra dirty for even more olive flavour. And if you like a little heat, try making the Dirty & Spicy Martini Cocktail.

The Bloody Mary and Bloody Caesar are also classics, typically served at brunch, and often with an abundance of savoury garnishes, which we’ll dive into next.

Garnishes that enhance savoury cocktails

The right garnishes can enhance any savoury or even non-savoury drink, boosting their visual appeal and flavour profile. Some of our favourites are ones that you could put atop a martini cocktail, such as:

• Olives (including stuffed ones)
• Pickled onions (or other pickled veggies)
• Cornichons
• Peppers (spicy or otherwise)

And then of course there are all the traditional toppings for a Bloody Mary, which you could experiment with adding to other drinks as well:

• Celery
• Olives
• Aromatic herbs
• Black pepper
• Bacon
• Cheese cubes
• Pickles

There of course are nearly endless options for your cocktail. Get creative and think about what your favourite savoury tastes are — there’s probably a way to use it as a garnish.

Tips for creating the perfect savoury drink

Crafting a savoury cocktail is an art of balance, layering herbs, spices and umami notes with a spirit that plays well with others, like vodka. A drink is only as good as its ingredients, so that’s why we recommend using a premium vodka and fresh produce for garnishes. 

To take your skills to another level, you can also play around with pairing brunch or dinner food with savoury cocktails. With the right elements, every sip becomes a sensory experience. Enjoy savouring the savoury.