Verbena

The Verbena is more of an experience than just a cocktail. It starts as a beautifully balanced and refreshing tequila sour, with bright notes of yuzu and calamansi citrus, a spicy kick from ginger, and an herbal whisper from lemon verbena. However, the true magic lies in its garnish, the Szechuan button. Chewing this flower before sipping transforms the drink, heightening every flavor and creating a buzzing, tingling sensation that makes it one of the most unique cocktails in the world.
Verbena

Preparation

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Verbena is classified as a modern classic cocktail. While it is a relatively recent invention, its immense popularity and unique character have cemented its place in contemporary cocktail culture. It falls into the "sour" family of cocktails, balancing a spirit with citrus and a sweetener.

Serving

The Verbena is a moderately sized drink served cold in a chilled rocks glass over a large ice cube. Its alcohol content is standard for a shaken sour-style cocktail.
Serving size
Approximately 150 ml / 5 oz (before ice)
Alcohol content
Around 15-20% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Rocks Glass
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

The Verbena was created by mixologist Mariena Mercer Boarini at The Chandelier bar in The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas around 2010. Initially a seasonal offering, its incredible popularity and word-of-mouth reputation turned it into an off-menu legend. It is now the best-selling cocktail at the hotel, a must-try experience for visitors seeking something truly out of the ordinary.
Origin
Created circa 2010 at The Chandelier bar, located in The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

Verbena

The Verbena is often referred to simply as "The Flower Drink" or "The Buzz Button Cocktail" by patrons. This is a direct reference to its unique and essential garnish, the Szechuan button flower, which provides a memorable tingling sensation. These names are not official but are widely used by those familiar with this iconic Las Vegas creation.
Original name
Verbena
Alternative names
  • The Flower Drink
  • The Buzz Button Cocktail

Characteristics overview

This cocktail presents a refreshing, citrus-forward flavor profile with an herbal aroma, which is completely transformed by the tingling aftertaste from its special garnish. It has a smooth, crisp texture and a cloudy, pale yellow appearance.
Flavor
Citrusy, Tart, Herbal, Spicy Ginger, Tingling
Aroma
Lemon verbena, Fresh ginger, Sharp citrus
Taste balance
Sour, Sweet
Aftertaste
Tingling, Numbing, Clean, Citrus
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Pale yellow, Cloudy
Texture
Smooth, Crisp
Seasonality
Refreshing, All-season

Flavor intensity & Experience

The Verbena is intensely sour and fruity, with noticeable spice from both ginger and the unique tingling flower. It is low in sweetness and bitterness, creating a vibrant, sharp, and unforgettable flavor profile.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail requires a base of blanco tequila, complemented by a unique yuzu-calamansi sour mix, spicy ginger syrup, and fresh lemon verbena leaves. The most crucial component is the Szechuan button garnish, which defines the drink.
  • Blanco Tequila60 ml / 2 oz
    A good quality 100% agave tequila is recommended. The original uses Herradura Blanco.
  • Yuzu-Calamansi Sour Mix30 ml / 1 oz
    If unavailable, substitute with 15 ml (0.5 oz) fresh lime juice, 7.5 ml (0.25 oz) yuzu juice, and 7.5 ml (0.25 oz) simple syrup.
  • Ginger Syrup22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Can be store-bought or homemade by simmering ginger slices in a 1:1 sugar and water solution.
  • Lemon Verbena Leaves2-3 leaves
    Muddled to release their aromatic oils. If unavailable, a sprig of mint can be used for a different herbal note.

Ice type

  • Cubed (for shaking), Large Cube (for serving)

Mixing equipments

You will need a standard cocktail shaking set, including a shaker, muddler, and two types of strainers for a clean pour. The double straining ensures no small bits of herb or ice end up in the final drink.
  • Cocktail shaker for chilling and combining ingredients.
  • Muddler for pressing the lemon verbena leaves.
  • Hawthorne strainer and fine-mesh strainer for a double strain.

Instructions

The preparation involves muddling herbs, shaking the liquid ingredients with ice, and double straining into a glass. Crucially, the process begins by chewing the Szechuan flower garnish to prepare your palate for the unique experience.
1. Prepare the experience: The garnish is meant to be consumed first. Place the Szechuan button flower in your mouth and chew it for 10-15 seconds, moving it around to coat your tongue and palate.
2. Chill your rocks glass by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer.
3. In the base of your cocktail shaker, gently muddle the lemon verbena leaves to release their oils.
4. Add the blanco tequila, yuzu-calamansi sour mix, and ginger syrup to the shaker.
5. Fill the shaker with cubed ice, seal it tightly, and shake vigorously for about 12-15 seconds until well-chilled.
6. Empty the chilling ice from your rocks glass and add one large fresh ice cube.
7. Double strain the cocktail from the shaker into the prepared glass.
8. Take your first sip while the tingling sensation from the flower is active and enjoy the flavor transformation.

Garnishing

The garnish is the star of the show: a single Szechuan button flower. This edible flower is not just for looks; it provides the signature tingling sensation and is essential to the Verbena experience.
  • Szechuan Button (Buzz Button) flower. Served on the side or placed on top of the large ice cube.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is naturally free from common allergens such as caffeine, dairy, eggs, soy, nuts, and gluten. It is suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail has a moderate calorie and sugar content, primarily from the sour mix and ginger syrup. The carbohydrate count is typical for a sour-style drink of this size.
Calories
Averagely 180-220 kcal / 753-920 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 15-20 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 12-18 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail is perfect for adventurous drinkers looking for a unique sensory experience. It's a fantastic choice for a night out in a lively setting or as a special celebratory drink. The interactive nature of the Verbena makes it an excellent conversation starter at social gatherings.
  • Adventurous Tasting
  • Night Out
  • Special Celebration
  • Conversation Starter

Pairing suggestions

The Verbena's bright, acidic, and spicy profile pairs exceptionally well with light, fresh, and spicy foods. Seafood dishes like ceviche or oysters are excellent choices, as are simple, salty snacks like tortilla chips that won't overwhelm the cocktail's unique sensory effects.
  • Ceviche
  • Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice
  • Lightly Salted Tortilla Chips and Guacamole
  • Fresh Oysters

Verbena: The Electrifying Flower Cocktail

The Verbena is far more than a simple tequila drink; it's a multi-sensory journey in a glass. Originating from The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, its fame comes from the "Szechuan button" garnish, which creates a memorable tingling sensation that electrifies the palate. The underlying cocktail is a perfectly executed sour, blending blanco tequila with exotic citrus and spicy ginger. It's a must-try for any cocktail enthusiast looking for a truly novel and unforgettable experience.

Similar Cocktails

Spicy Margarita

Offers a similar tequila-citrus-spice profile but gets its heat from muddled jalapeños or chili tincture instead of the tingling sensation of a Szechuan button.

Gin Basil Smash

Another vibrant, modern classic that relies on a muddled herb (basil) to create a powerfully aromatic and refreshing sour, but using gin as the base spirit.

Tommy's Margarita

A simplified, agave-forward take on the Margarita that also focuses on the clean interaction between 100% agave tequila, lime, and a sweetener (agave nectar), providing a pure citrus and spirit experience without the Verbena's interactive garnish.

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