Imbolc. Half way point between Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Spring is upon us. Or at least it is beginning its awakening. This celebration of hope and promise of spring shows up and is celebrated in different ways. In the United States, we don’t look to Brigid, we turn our attention to a groundhog to see how soon we can expect the snow to thaw. Yep! You read that correctly; Groundhog’s Day is rooted in Celtic Pagan traditions. Spring cleaning is, too.
Here in Los Angeles it feels like something fresh and new. The rain we’ve been getting feels like a necessary cleansing of the earth. I am visualizing that it’s washing away all of the unfulfilled plans, uncelebrated birthdays, thousands of missing hugs and everything else that left us with a feeling of lack in 2020. I’m hoping it makes room for healing, forward momentum and more happiness in the days to come.
With Spring on its way we are saying a fond farewell to Winter. The cocktail below is an effort to bridge the two seasons. For this I would highly suggest a clear spirit. Vodka, Gin, and Mezcal will all be lovely but you could also use a Blanco Tequila, Rum or un-aged whiskey. Traditionally Collins style drinks like the one below are made with Vodka or Gin. I like to try and make sure anyone can make these drinks without having to make a whole shopping list to accomplish it.
Blackberries were sacred to Brigid. The leaves and berries can be used to attract prosperity and healing. Blackberries have a ton of health benefits including being anti-inflammatory, aiding in digestion, improving blood sugar levels, and being packed with antioxidants. Basil also shares a lot of the same benefits of blackberry. It’s a great flavor combo as well! The rich and tannic nature of blackberries with the bright herbaceous flavor of basil is a meeting of winter and spring flavors. As we are discussing spring, if you have an herb garden and would prefer to use something you grew, like rosemary or thyme, that will work as well.
Before we start building this cocktail there is the option to include a ritual. For this you’ll need at least one bay leaf and a fire safe bowl/cauldron. Imbolc is a celebration of hope for the future. It is a fire festival as well and is often associated with birth. This can be both the physical act of birth as well as the energetic birthing of a new creative project. Whether you haven’t started that project you’ve been thinking and daydreaming about, or you don’t know the next steps to something you’ve already begun, chances are there is something holding you back in moving forward. Is it fear of the unknown? Is it self-doubt? Is it negativity from others blocking your true purpose? Whatever that is for you… now is the time to release it. Now is the time to make room for your creativity to flow abundantly. Write your block on a bay leaf. Hold that thought in your mind as you make the cocktail.
2 oz Spirit of choice
*Blackberry
2 or so Basil Leaves
.75 oz Lemon Juice
.5 oz **simple syrup
Club Soda
To start gather your ingredients, shaker tins (or mason jar with a lid), and a Collins glass if you have one. A Collins glass is a tall cylindrical glass. If you don’t have one that’s perfectly fine, a white wine glass would also be a great vessel for this drink.
*For your blackberry component this can be whatever you have on hand. If you have fresh blackberries you can muddle them in your drink. Have blackberry jam? Great! Toss a spoonful of that in the shaker. Have blackberry bitters? Perfect! Hold on to add bitters until the whole drink is made. (The point of bitters is to have a strong concentration of flavor, so you don’t want to dilute them when shaking this cocktail.)
**If you still have cinnamon simple syrup left over from Yule, feel free to use that! It’ll add a little extra “winter flavor” to the drink.
If using actual blackberries, add a handful into the shaker and muddle. If using blackberry jam, add a spoonful to your shaker. Next, add your spirit, lemon juice and simple syrup into the shaker. Top with ice and shake.
Strain the cocktail (double strain if using real fruit) into a collins glass or whatever vessel you’re using. If you are using blackberry bitters now is the time to add them in the cocktail. I would add about 6 drops or so, depending on the bitters you’re using. Next, fill the glass with ice and top with club soda. You are welcome to garnish with lemon wedge, extra basil or blackberries.
Now that the drink is completed burn your bay leaf. Release all that is holding you back. Let go and celebrate. Don’t forget to participate in the other traditional Imbolc rituals like spring cleaning or eating freshly baked bread!