Here at Bridgetown Mushrooms we spend our days elbows-deep in mushrooms. We work hard, and we love it when our customer-family grows as a result. At the same time, all of that effort leaves us parched at the end of a work day. So we thought - can we take our tasty tinctures and make something more…potent out of them?
Mushrooms have been used for centuries in traditional medicine for their various health benefits, but they also make a unique addition to cocktails, we’ve discovered. Reishi, lion's mane, and cordyceps mushroom tinctures are all known for their medicinal properties and can add a rich, earthy flavor to cocktails and mocktails.
Here are three different cocktails and a mocktail - taste-tested by yours truly - you can make using any of these mushroom tinctures as ingredients.
Lion’s Mane Limonata
Bright, botanical, and brain-boosting
Perfect for: mid-afternoon pick-me-up or a zero-proof happy hour.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz gin (or botanical non-alcoholic spirit)
- 1 oz lemon juice
- 0.5 oz honey syrup (1:1 honey to water)
- 1–2 dropperfuls Lion’s Mane tincture
- 2 dashes lavender bitters (or muddle fresh lavender)
- Sparkling water
- Garnish: lemon wheel & thyme sprig
Instructions:
Shake gin, lemon, honey, tincture, and bitters with ice. Strain into a Collins glass over fresh ice. Top with sparkling water and garnish.
🧠 Lion’s Mane supports focus and mental clarity — a bright citrus-forward drink makes it feel uplifting and energizing.
Reishi Nightcap
Earthy, mellow, and made to unwind
Perfect for: post-dinner wind-down or as a moody mocktail.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz rye whiskey or aged rum (or cooled black tea or dandelion root tea)
- 0.75 oz maple syrup
- 2–3 dropperfuls Reishi tincture
- 2 dashes black walnut or aromatic bitters
- Garnish: orange peel & rosemary
Instructions:
Stir all ingredients over ice in a mixing glass. Strain into a rocks glass over a large cube. Garnish with expressed orange peel and rosemary sprig.
🌙 Reishi supports relaxation and stress balance — paired with grounding maple and herbal bitters, this is the mushroom version of an Old Fashioned
Cordyceps Spritz
Fruity, fizzy, and subtly spicy
Perfect for: pre-dinner aperitif or social boost.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz dry vermouth or Aperol
- 1 oz pineapple juice
- 0.5 oz lime juice
- 1–2 dropperfuls Cordyceps tincture
- 1–2 oz soda water or dry ginger beer
- Garnish: pineapple wedge & chili salt rim
Instructions:
Shake vermouth, juices, and tincture with ice. Strain into a coupe or wine glass over ice. Top with soda water or ginger beer. Garnish boldly.
🔥 Cordyceps is known for supporting energy and stamina — pair with tropical acidity and gentle heat for a cocktail with a kick.
Mind & Mood Mule Mocktail
A refreshing, adaptogenic mule with a kick of ginger and berry
Featuring: Lion’s Mane + Reishi tinctures
Ingredients:
- 0.5 oz blackberry or blueberry syrup (or muddled berries + honey)
- 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
- 1 dropperful Lion’s Mane tincture (for focus)
- 1 dropperful Reishi tincture (for calm)
- 3–4 oz sparkling ginger beer (or ginger kombucha for extra tang)
- Garnish: fresh berries, mint sprig, optional edible flower
Instructions:
In a shaker or jar, muddle berries (if using fresh) with lime juice and honey. Add tinctures, shake gently with ice, then strain into a copper mug or rocks glass over crushed ice. Top with ginger beer. Garnish generously.
🫐 This drink balances clarity + calm — ideal for afternoon focus or winding down without alcohol.
Incorporating mushroom tinctures into your cocktails can add a unique twist and some health benefits to your happy hour. Try out these different recipes with reishi, lion's mane, or cordyceps mushroom tinctures to add some earthy, herbal flavors to your drinks. Cheers!