Bottoms Up! Here Are Some High-Desert Inspired Drinks to Try This Weekend.

The high desert is a unique region that spans across several states in the western United States, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. With its arid climate and unique landscape, the high desert, which includes Joshua Tree National Park, is home to a variety of plants and herbs that are perfect for creating delicious and unique drinks. Here are some of the drinks inspired by the high desert and its ingredients that you can enjoy at home or on your next desert adventure when visiting the WKNDR getaway (CHECK AVAILABILITY NOW).

And before sourcing any of these ingredients it is important to note that all these high desert ingredients are typically found on public lands and harvesting them may require permits or permission from the land manager. Additionally, it is important to ensure that any ingredients you harvest are not treated with pesticides or other chemicals that could be harmful if ingested. And if you are unsure about the safety or legality of using any of these high desert ingredients for culinary purposes, it is best to consult with a local expert before proceeding.

1. Prickly Pear Margarita

Prickly pear cactus, also known as Opuntia, is a frequent sight in the high desert. Prickly pear fruit, or "tunas," are a common food source in these areas and can be harvested for use in a variety of dishes and beverages, including margaritas.

To harvest prickly pear fruit, you will need to wear thick gloves and use tongs to carefully remove the fruit from the cactus pads. The fruit is covered in small spines, or "glochids," that can be painful if they get stuck in your skin, so it is important to handle them with care.

Once you have harvested the fruit, you can remove the spines by gently rubbing the fruit with a towel or by briefly dipping them in boiling water. The fruit can then be pureed and strained to remove any seeds or pulp, and the resulting juice can be used to make a prickly pear margarita.

Ingredients

• Coarse salt to taste

• 2 oz tequila

• 2 oz sweet and sour mix

• 1 oz triple sec

• 1 oz lime juice

• 1 oz prickly pear juice

Directions

1. Pour salt onto a plate. Wet the rim of a margarita glass and dip rim into salt.

2. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice; pour tequila, sweet and sour mix, triple sec, lime juice, and pear syrup over ice. Cover shaker and shake drink; strain into prepared margarita glass.

2. Sagebrush Gin Soda

Sagebrush is a common plant in many high desert regions, known for its aromatic leaves, which can be used for culinary and medicinal purposes.

If you are interested in making a sage-flavored cocktail, you can either harvest it responsibly of course (see disclaimer below) or there are several commercially available sage-flavored spirits, such as gin or vodka, that you could use. Alternatively, you could try using fresh or dried sage leaves to infuse simple syrup or sparkling water to create a sage-flavored soda.

Ingredients

• 2-3 large, fresh sagebursh leaves

• 1/2 teaspoon sugar, plus more to rim the glass

• 1 lemon wedge

• 2 oz gin

• 2 oz fresh grapefruit juice

Directions

1. Place the lemon wedge, sugar, and sagebrush leaves in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Muddle the ingredients together until the sugar is dissolved and the sagebrush and lemon are integrated.

2. Take a section of grapefruit and run it around the edge of a cocktail glass, then rim the glass with sugar. Set aside.

3. Put the gin and grapefruit juice into the shaker or mason jar, then top with fresh ice. Place the lid the shaker or mason jar and shake.

4. Strain the cocktail into the prepared glass and serve immediately.

3. Mesquite Latte

Mesquite trees are also common in some high desert regions. Mesquite trees are known for their flavorful, aromatic wood, which can be used for grilling and smoking foods, and their edible pods, which can be ground into a flour for cooking and baking and also use for beverages, like a mesquite latte.

Ingredients

• 2 cups almond milk

• 1 tablespoon mesquite powder (you can roast and grind mesquite pods until they form a fine powder)

• 2 shots espresso (optional)

Directions 

1. Place the almond milk and mesquite powder into a pan and warm over low heat while continuously whisking.

2. Once warmed to liking pour liquid from pan into a mug.

3. Top with 2 shots of espresso (optional).

4. Juniper Berry Gin & Tonic

Juniper trees are common in high desert regions, so juniper berries can be found in these areas. However, the abundance of juniper berries may depend on a variety of factors, such as climate, elevation, and the specific location within the high desert. If you are able to score some juniper berries they are a common ingredient in gin, and their strong, piney flavor pairs perfectly with the bitter tonic water in a classic gin and tonic.

Ingredients

• 4 cubes ice

• 1 (1.5 oz) jigger gin or try a gin that’s made with juniper berries harvested from the high desert

• 5 or 6 juniper berries

• 6 oz tonic water

• 1 lime peel to rim the glass and for garnish

Directions

1. Stir ice cubes in a glass and drain any water that accumulates. Add gin and juniper berries.

2. Use lime peel to rim the glass. Add tonic water and stir. Garnish with a fresh sprig of juniper.

5. Lavender Lemonade

Lavender is a common herb in the high desert, and its delicate floral flavor makes it a perfect ingredient for sweet drinks like lemonade.

Ingredients

• 1 small handful freshly picked and rinsed lavender flowers, or 1 tablespoon dried lavender flowers

• 1 cup sugar

• 2 cups boiling water

• 1 1/2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice

• 2 cups cold water, plus more as needed

• Ice

• Thinly sliced lemons and a few lavender sprigs, for optional garnish

Directions

1. Cut the lavender flowers from the stems (no need to strip) and place in a medium bowl (preferably not Pyrex, which can crack when you add boiling water). Pour the sugar over the flowers, and use your (clean) fingers to gently rub the flowers into the sugar.

2. Make the lavender simple syrup:

   Pour 2 cups of boiling water over the lavender sugar and stir with a spoon until the sugar has melted. Cover and let infuse for 30 minutes (or up to several hours).

3. Strain the lavender-infused simple syrup and pour into a serving carafe or pitcher.

4. Make the lemonade to taste:

   Stir in the lemon juice. Add another 2 cups of cold water. Taste and adjust to personal preference. Add ice and more water to your desired level of concentration.

   Add some thinly sliced lemons and a few lavender sprigs to the serving pitcher for presentation if you so desire.

The high desert is home to so many unique and delicious ingredients that are perfect for creating refreshing and flavorful drinks. Whether you’re looking for a refreshing soda, a comforting latte, or a classic cocktail with a high desert twist, these drinks inspired by high desert ingredients are sure to satisfy your thirst and your taste buds.

Let us know which of these is your favorite and what others you would add to this list in the comments below.