Melilot

Sweet Clover Essence

Melilotus officinalis

Sweet Clover is made from hand gathered blossoms that grow in open meadows and along quiet field edges. Naturally aromatic and gently sweet, it offers a wild, local alternative to vanilla, carrying the warmth and familiarity of the surrounding landscape.

Its flavor is layered and soft, with notes of hay and tonka bean that unfold slowly on the palate. Sweet Clover adds depth and roundness to both drinks and food, bringing a subtle sweetness that feels grounded rather than sugary.

This essence pairs beautifully with coffee and cacao, and can be used wherever vanilla is traditionally called for. A few drops are enough to add warmth and complexity to cocktails, desserts, or simple daily rituals.

Below are a few ways Sweet Clover can be enjoyed. These are offered as invitations rather than instructions. Feel free to adapt them to your own tastes and rhythms.

Wild Meadow Martini

A soft, aromatic variation on an espresso martini, where Sweet Clover brings warmth and meadow-like depth in place of vanilla.

Ingredients
2 oz vodka
1 oz coffee liqueur
1/2 oz simple syrup
1/2 to 1 dash Sweet Clover essence (about 10 to 20 drops)
Coffee beans, for garnish

Method
Fill a mixing glass or shaker with ice.
Add vodka, coffee liqueur, simple syrup, and Sweet Clover essence.
Stir gently until well chilled and integrated, about 20 seconds.
Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass.
Garnish with a few coffee beans.

Sweet Clover pairs naturally with coffee, adding notes of hay and tonka that soften the bitterness and round out the drink. Adjust the sweetness or the amount of essence to taste.

Sweet Clover Latte

Ingredients
1 cup milk or plant based milk
1 to 2 teaspoons Sweet Clover essence
1 shot espresso or 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee
Honey or sweetener of choice optional

Instructions
Warm the milk gently without boiling.
Stir in Sweet Clover essence and allow it to infuse briefly.
Prepare espresso or coffee and pour into a mug.
Add the infused milk and sweeten if desired.

Sweet Clover invites a slower way of tasting. Whether used in drinks, food, or quiet moments of pause, it offers a gentle way to connect with the meadow landscapes that shape this region.