There is a shop near us in downtown Campbell, called Redemption, that sells locally made products. One of these is a Douglas Fir tea by Juniper Ridge. As well, I recently had the opportunity to have a gin-based cocktail that was made with Douglas Fir syrup at a restaurant near us called The Table (they have some nice craft cocktails on the menu). I figured I could make a simple syrup based on the tea, as opposed to going out and harvesting fir needles, so here is my take of a Douglas Fir syrup based cocktail. As the Douglas Fir is so aromatic, I didn't feel the need to add additional flavorings to the syrup.
Douglas Fir Tips Simple Syrup
Brew 1 cup double strength tea with the Douglas Fir Tips
Add 1 cup of the brewed tea and 1 cup of sugar to a small pot
Bring to a soft boil and simmer for 20 minutes
The Douglas Fir Sapsucker cocktail
In a shaker half filled with crushed ice add
- 1 oz of the Douglas Fir Tips simple syrup
- 1 1/2 oz of plain vodka (I used Skyy)
- 1 1/2 oz of dry gin (I used Bombay Sapphire East)
- 2 oz of fresh squeezed Meyer lemon juice
Stir vigorously then strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a spring of rosemary, a twist of Meyer lemon and a twist of lime.
Leftover simple syrup will store well in the refrigerator.
If you'd like to read about the birds, including the Sapsucker, that Douglas Fir trees support here's a good reference: http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/pubs/gtr285/
Cheers!
Here's the recipe:
Garnish with:
We happen to have some beautiful and very aromatic heirloom roses in our yard that one of the previous homeowners planted. They are fantastic and just one rose fills the den with a gorgeous scent. We don't spray our roses so they are organic. I thought it would be fun to make a cocktail that used the petals. 
4.5 oz of Vodka (I used Napa Valley Distillery - Napa Reserve - it's distilled from sauvignon blanc grapes (so basically a brandy))
The warm gentle breeze sways my hammock on the lanai as the scent of Plumeria perfumes the air putting me in the mood for a fruity cocktail with a tropical vibe. If only I were on Maui! But I digress...
Prepare two martini or cone shaped cocktail classes by putting one hibiscus flower in the bottom of each glass.
To build the cocktail to a shaker with ice add:
This cocktail is really tasty. Just like dessert with a kick. Goes nicely with biscotti!
Add 1 cup of the brewed tea and 1 cup of sugar to a small pot
To build the cocktail to a shaker 1/3-filled with crushed ice add:
You may have been expecting this one...
Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with an orange twist. If you'd like the cocktail more on the dry side, increase the Lillet by 1/2 ounce and decrease the Grand Marnier by the same.
Juice from 1/2 a well ripened meyer lemon