“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet” – William Shakespeare
Summer is the season when the possibilities of refreshing drinks are endless. As the mercury rises, a fragrant and floral thirst-quencher is ideal to cool us down. A Sharbat is a sweet non-alcoholic drink that is typically prepared from fruits or flower petals and is popular in the Middle East, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh as well as in some Southeast Asian countries. The most preferred flavour of Sharbat is Rose.
For centuries now, flowers have been used to convey our emotional wellbeing. They have been used to incite a feeling of love and happiness. The importance of flowers in our everyday life can be attributed to the fact that they have been used as gifts for anniversaries, birthdays, funerals, weddings, festivals, etc. They express different feelings and emotions. Studies have also shown that flowers influence our moods and release tension and anxiety by triggering happy feelings. Not only do they create a relaxing atmosphere but are also used for medicinal purposes.
“A rose is a rose is a rose’ – Gertrude Stein
No one needs an introduction to Rose. It is the most popular flower in the world and is also known as “King of Flowers”. This sweet-smelling flower has been a symbol of love and passion for many years. No other flower has inspired and stimulated the artist’s imagination quite like the rose. Be it a painter or a fashion designer, we are indebted to this beautiful flower for inspiring great works of art.
The Rose has been revered in history like no other flower. It is the national flower of England. Henry VII adopted the Tudor Rose as an emblem of peace at the end of the War of the Roses. Rose was the favourite flower of Empress Josephine Bonaparte who created a wonderful rose garden at Malmaison. It is also believed that Cleopatra covered the floors in her palace with rose petals. Roses were cherished in Ancient Egypt as well, as is evident from the Rose petals that were discovered in many tombs. It was also mentioned in the Kama Sutra that was written in 400 BC.
According to Greek Mythology, there are many legends on the creation of Rose. One of the legends is that Chloris, the goddess of flowers, came across a lifeless body of a beautiful nymph in the woods and was saddened to see such exquisite beauty go to waste, so she transformed her into a flower. Another legend associated with the creation of the rose pertains to Adonis and the goddess of love, Aphrodite.
The Rose holds great importance in many cultures. There is an ancient Arabic legend of a nightingale falling in love with a white rose. The Rose is also the favourite flower of the Hindu god Lord Vishnu. According to Hindu mythology, there was once a debate between the gods Brahma and Vishnu on the most beautiful flower. In India, Roses are an integral part of almost all religious ceremonies. Early Christian, Buddhist, and Confucian texts mention roses.
The Rose has many universal interpretations and implications by its colour and the number of roses given to a person.
The number of roses you send someone also holds a meaning:
So, it’s time to stop and smell the roses or as in this case have a drink made with this ultimate symbol of love.
A light and refreshing summertime cocktail. A floral and elegant spin on the classic French 75 cocktail.
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
Tasting Notes: A bright, floral, sweet, and slightly tart cocktail. The botanicals of the Gin form the backdrop of this cocktail. The combination of Raspberry and Rose reminds us of a sour Rose Hip flavour. The Raspberries give tartness to the cocktail while Rose gives the intoxicating fragrance and floral flavour. The Rhubarb Bitters add to the sourness and bring a grassy complexity to the drink. The prosecco adds a light-bodied and fresh vibrancy to the cocktail.
Food Pairing:
