Petal-Powered Potions

Crafting Florigraphy Inspired Libations

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This article is part of the Storied Recipes column, sharing the tales, traditions, and memories woven into heritage and cultural recipes.

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The Forgotten Language of Flowers: Floriography in Victorian England

While gifting a lovely bouquet of colorful blossoms today can be a simple gesture of appreciation, 200 years ago each petal and stem within the bouquet carried a secret message. A whisper of affection - or distain - was conveyed through the symbolic assignations to each flower.  

Let’s take a little trip to England. Victorian England to be precise. An era of puritanical values and rigid rules about proper behavior, especially for women. A time when open displays of affection were deemed utterly unacceptable. It was also a time that emphasized getting back to nature and celebrated ornate, romantic aesthetics in art, architecture, and design. And one art form that took root was floriography, a covert means of communicating sentiments through flowers. 

Lady Mary's Turkish Inspiration: The Origins of Floriography

Lady Mary Morley Montagu lounging in her Turkish attire clearly pontificating of the bouquet of flowers she was going to send.

This clever use of flowers is said to have been introduced to Victorian England by Lady Mary Morley Montagu, an English aristocrat and poet married to England’s ambassador to Turkey. Intrigued by a secret flower language used by clever harem women to send messages under the noses of their guards, Lady Mary wrote letters home saying:

“There is no colour, no flower, no weed, no fruit, herb, pebble, or feather that has not a verse belonging to it: and you may quarrel, reproach, or send letters of passion, friendship, or civility, or even of news, without ever inking your fingers.” 

Of course this idea of using a secret language to circumvent strict social norms while underscoring Naturalism, a philosophy which gained much popularity at the time, blossomed into a craze. Almanacs were written, fashion was influenced, literature took its cues, and art was created around this floral prose.  

Sip and Send a Message: Imbibing in the Secret Language of Flowers

I’d like to think that this drink is destined to the table of someone how needs a little compassion in their lives at this moment. photo by Emily Andreeva via Unsplash.

And while this practice of communicating coded messages may seem a bit antiquated today, the idea of incorporating edible flowers and floral essences into foods and drink to evoke a specific mood or sentiment can be a fun way to start a conversation, send a message, or just or just add an extra touch of artistry and intention to your culinary creations.

Much like the Victorians once arranged tussie-mussies (tiny bouquets) to convey emotions like affection, appreciation, or even disdain, we can employ flowers, herbs, and their essences into our drinks to speak volumes. Garnish a cocktail with rosemary to signify remembrance. Float a rose petal in a coup to promise passion and romance. Stir in a lavender simple syrup to whisper devotion, virtue and loyalty. 

Whether using a floral garnish, infusion, cordial, or liqueur let’s revive the romantic language of plants in a modern, sip-able way to express sentiment and tell little stories with every glass we serve.

Stocking your Floriography Bar

• Rose petal syrup (love)

• Lavender syrup (devotion)

• Hibiscus syrup (delicate beauty)

• Elderflower syrup (compassion)

• Violet syrup (modesty)

• Creme de violette (modesty)

• Rose liqueur (love)

• Orange blossom water (purity)

• Elderflower liqueur (compassion)

• Rose petals/buds (love)

• Lavender sprigs (devotion)

• Pansy (thoughts)

• Nasturtium (patriotism)

• Borage (bluntness)

• Apple blossom (preference)

• Hibiscus (delicate beauty)

• Chamomile (energy in adversity)

• Calendula/Marigold (grief)

• Jasmine (amiability)

• Rose water

• Floral bitters

• Victorian-inspired glassware

• Book of floriography meanings

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Floriography Simple Syrup

Floriography Simple Syrups capture the essence he symbolic language of flowers, infusing your drinks with the delicate flavors and aromas of nature's blooms. Whether you prefer a subtle floral note or a bold botanical punch, these three ratios offer versatility to suit your desired intensity.

Ingredients

1:1 Ratio (Equal Parts Sugar and Water | standard simple syrup good in most cocktails and cocktails and great in bubbly water)

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 cup water

• 1/2 cup fresh edible flowers or petals of your choice or 2 - 4 tablespoons dried edible flowers

1:2 Ratio (Lower Sugar Syrup | perfect for cocktail and mocktails that include juices)

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 2 cups water

• 1/2 cup fresh edible flowers or petals of your choice or 2 - 4 tablespoons dried edible flowers

Instructions

1. In a saucepan, combine the sugar and water according to your desired ratio.

2. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves completely.

3. Remove from heat and add the edible flowers or petals. Allow to steep for 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on your preferred intensity.

4. Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the flowers or petals.

Budding Affection  - Cocktail     

Like the first delicate unfurling of new love, the Budding Affection Lilac Gin Fizz captures the giddy anticipation and effervescent joy of blossoming affection.

Ingredients

• 2 oz gin

• 1 oz lilac simple syrup (see recipe below)

• 1 oz fresh lemon juice

• 3 oz club soda

• Lemon twist and fresh lilac for garnish

Lilac Simple Syrup:

• 1 cup water

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1/2 cup fresh lilac blossoms (remove stems and green parts)

• 2 blueberries for color (otherwise it turns brown)

Instructions

1. Make the lilac simple syrup by combining water and sugar in a saucepan. Simmer and stir until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and add the lilac blossoms and blueberries. Allow to steep for 30-60 minutes. Strain out blossoms and fruit.

2. In a cocktail shaker, combine gin, lilac syrup, and lemon juice with ice. Shake vigorously.

3. Strain into a chilled collins glass filled with fresh ice.

Infatuation's Blush  - Mocktail     

Blushing with the innocent allure of newfound infatuation, this Lilac Lemonade mocktail encapsulates the soft enchantment of love's first stirrings.

Ingredients

• 2 oz lilac simple syrup (see below)

• 2 oz fresh lemon juice

• 6 oz cold water

• Lemon slices and fresh lilac for garnish

Lilac Simple Syrup:

• 1 cup water

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1/2 cup fresh lilac blossoms (remove stems and green parts)

• 2 blueberries for color (otherwise it turns brown)

Instructions

1. Make the lilac simple syrup by combining water and sugar in a saucepan. Simmer and stir until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and add the lilac blossoms and blueberries. Allow to steep for 30-60 minutes. Strain out blossoms and fruit.

2. In a pitcher, combine lilac syrup, lemon juice and cold water. Stir well.

3. Pour into two chilled glasses filled with ice.

4. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh lilac blossoms.

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