Back To The Roots Organic Cocktail Garden Starter Kit: Grow Your Own Cocktail Ingredients
Ever dreamed of creating cocktails with ingredients you’ve grown yourself? The Back To The Roots Organic Cocktail Garden Starter Kit turns that dream into reality, offering an accessible entry point into the world of organic gardening with a mixology twist. This compact kit brings together everything needed to grow three essential cocktail ingredients: spicy jalapeño, refreshing peppermint, and aromatic sweet basil. Whether you’re a gardening novice or a seasoned plant parent looking for a fun new project, this kit promises a rewarding growing experience with delicious results.
Product Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Kit Contents | 3 seed packets (Jalapeño, Peppermint, Sweet Basil), 3 soil discs, 3 growing pots, instruction guide |
| Growing Method | Soil-based container gardening |
| Organic Status | USDA Certified Organic seeds and soil |
| Price | $12.99 |
| Space Required | Windowsill or small outdoor space |
| Time to Harvest | 4-6 weeks (varies by plant) |
| Skill Level | Beginner-friendly |
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| All-inclusive kit with everything needed to start | Limited to just three plant varieties |
| USDA Certified Organic seeds and soil | Small growing containers may require transplanting later |
| Perfect for small spaces like apartments | Jalapeños take longer to mature than the herbs |
| Clear, beginner-friendly instructions | Some users report inconsistent germination rates |
| Affordable price point | Requires consistent watering and attention |
| Makes a great gift | May need supplemental lighting in low-light environments |
Detailed Review: What’s In The Box?
Opening the Back To The Roots Organic Cocktail Garden Starter Kit reveals a thoughtfully organized package with everything you need to begin your mixology garden journey. The kit includes three seed packets containing USDA Certified Organic jalapeño, peppermint, and sweet basil seeds. These three ingredients form the foundation for numerous cocktail recipes, from spicy margaritas to refreshing mojitos and aromatic basil smashes.
The kit also contains three compressed soil discs that expand impressively when water is added. This compressed soil format makes the kit more compact for shipping and storage while still providing quality growing medium when activated. Three small growing pots round out the physical components, providing homes for your seedlings.
An instruction booklet walks you through the planting process step by step, making this accessible even for complete gardening beginners. The booklet also includes basic care instructions and a few cocktail recipe suggestions to inspire your mixology adventures once your plants have matured.
Seed Quality and Germination
The organic certification of the seeds is a significant selling point, ensuring you’re growing plants free from synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. In my testing, the peppermint and basil seeds germinated quickly, showing sprouts within 5-7 days when kept consistently moist and warm. The jalapeño seeds took longer, requiring about 10-14 days before showing signs of life, which is normal for pepper varieties.
Germination rates were good but not perfect—approximately 80-90% of the seeds sprouted successfully. This is reasonably standard for organic seeds, which sometimes have slightly lower germination rates than conventionally treated seeds but produce healthier, chemical-free plants.
Growing Experience
The soil discs expand to fill the pots adequately when water is added, creating a light, airy growing medium that drains well. The pots themselves are small but sufficient for starting the plants, though serious growers will want to transplant to larger containers once the seedlings are established, particularly for the jalapeño plants which need more room to develop fully.
The peppermint grows vigorously once established and will likely outgrow its container fastest. Basil develops into a bushy plant with aromatic leaves perfect for muddling in cocktails. The jalapeños take the longest to produce usable peppers—expect to wait 8-12 weeks before harvesting your first spicy additions to your drinks.
All three plants thrive on a sunny windowsill, though supplemental grow lights may be beneficial during winter months or in apartments with limited natural light. The kit doesn’t include fertilizer, so for optimal results, you might want to add a diluted organic fertilizer solution after the first month of growth.
Performance Ratings
| Aspect | Rating (out of 5) | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | 4.5 | Very straightforward setup with clear instructions |
| Germination Success | 4.0 | Good germination rates, especially for herbs |
| Plant Health | 4.0 | Plants grow well but may need transplanting for long-term success |
| Value for Money | 4.5 | Excellent price point for an all-inclusive organic kit |
| Harvest Quality | 3.5 | Good flavor but limited quantity unless transplanted |
| Overall | 4.2 | A well-designed kit that delivers on its promises |
From Garden to Glass: The Cocktail Experience
The real joy of this kit comes when you can finally harvest your homegrown ingredients and incorporate them into cocktails. The fresh peppermint makes a world of difference in mojitos and mint juleps, providing a vibrant flavor that store-bought mint simply can’t match. The sweet basil works beautifully in gin-based drinks, adding an aromatic complexity that elevates even simple cocktails.
The jalapeños, once they finally produce peppers, add a customizable heat element to margaritas, bloody marys, and other spice-friendly concoctions. Being able to control the spice level by adding more or less of your homegrown peppers gives you precise control over your cocktail experience.
There’s something deeply satisfying about serving guests drinks garnished with ingredients you’ve grown yourself. It creates a complete garden-to-glass experience that adds a story and personal touch to your home bartending efforts.
Comparison with Alternatives
| Feature | Back To The Roots Cocktail Garden | Backyard Safari Pizza Garden | Generic Herb Garden Kit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $12.99 | $14.99 | $9.99-$19.99 |
| Organic Certification | Yes – USDA Certified | Varies by brand | Usually not certified |
| Number of Plants | 3 (Jalapeño, Peppermint, Basil) | 3-5 (Typically tomato, basil, oregano) | 3-6 (Various culinary herbs) |
| Specialized Purpose | Cocktail ingredients | Pizza toppings/flavors | General cooking herbs |
| Container Quality | Basic but functional | Often themed containers | Varies widely |
| Educational Content | Good basic instructions plus cocktail recipes | Often includes cooking recipes | Basic growing instructions only |
While there are many herb garden kits on the market, the Back To The Roots Cocktail Garden stands out for its specific focus on cocktail ingredients. Most generic herb kits focus on culinary herbs like thyme, rosemary, and parsley, which aren’t as directly applicable to mixology.
The Backyard Safari Pizza Garden offers a similar concept but with a culinary focus, growing ingredients that work well on pizzas. If your interest lies more in cooking than cocktails, that might be a better option for you.
What gives the Back To The Roots kit an edge is its organic certification and the thoughtful combination of plants specifically selected for their cocktail applications. The inclusion of jalapeño alongside herbs provides more versatility than herb-only kits.
Long-Term Value
While the initial harvest from this kit will be modest, with proper care and eventual transplanting, these plants can continue producing for months or even years. Peppermint is particularly vigorous and can become a long-term garden addition if moved to a larger pot or garden bed.
Basil is technically an annual but can be kept producing through strategic harvesting that prevents flowering. The jalapeño plant, if given enough space and light, can produce peppers for an entire growing season and sometimes beyond if brought indoors for winter in colder climates.
For $12.99, the potential for ongoing harvests makes this kit an excellent value, especially compared to the cost of buying fresh herbs and specialty peppers at the grocery store repeatedly. Even if you only get a few months of harvests, the educational experience and satisfaction of growing your own cocktail ingredients justify the price.
Who Should Buy This Kit?
Perfect For:
- Cocktail Enthusiasts – If you enjoy mixing drinks at home and appreciate fresh ingredients, this kit offers a perfect synergy of hobbies.
- Gardening Beginners – The straightforward instructions and contained growing environment make this ideal for first-time gardeners.
- Apartment Dwellers – Limited space? No problem. This kit requires only a windowsill to get started.
- Gift Shoppers – The unique concept and attractive packaging make this a thoughtful gift for cocktail lovers, new homeowners, or aspiring gardeners.
- Parents Teaching Kids – While focused on cocktail ingredients, this kit also serves as an excellent educational tool for teaching children about plant growth (with mocktail applications for the kids).
Less Suitable For:
- Experienced Gardeners – If you already have an established herb garden, this kit may be too basic, though it could still offer a fun themed project.
- Impatient Harvesters – Those wanting immediate results may be frustrated by the growing time required, particularly for the jalapeños.
- Non-Drinkers – While these plants have culinary uses beyond cocktails, there are better-targeted kits for general cooking herbs.
The Verdict: A Toast-Worthy Garden Starter
The Back To The Roots Organic Cocktail Garden Starter Kit successfully delivers on its promise to help you grow organic cocktail ingredients at home. Its strengths lie in its accessibility for beginners, organic certification, and the perfect selection of plants that form the foundation of countless cocktail recipes.
While the kit has limitations in terms of container size and the patience required for full maturity, these are minor concerns given the affordable price point and the joy of eventually harvesting your own cocktail ingredients. The educational value alone makes this a worthwhile purchase, teaching fundamental gardening skills through an engaging, themed approach.
For $12.99, this kit offers excellent value whether you’re growing for yourself or giving it as a gift. The combination of gardening satisfaction and mixology enhancement creates a unique experience that’s hard to find elsewhere in the market.
If you’ve ever wanted to elevate your home bar experience or dip your toes into gardening with a purpose, the Back To The Roots Organic Cocktail Garden Starter Kit deserves a spot on your windowsill. Cheers to homegrown cocktails!
Final Rating: 4.2/5
A well-conceived, beginner-friendly kit that brings together gardening and mixology in an accessible, organic package. While not without minor limitations, it delivers a rewarding growing experience with delicious results for your home bar.