Dill, or Anethum graveolens, is a medium height perennial herb that displays fern-like fronds on top of hollow stalks. Dill has been used in medicine and cooking since before Roman times. Both the fronds and the seeds have culinary uses everywhere from the Middle East, Scandanavia, India and Vietnam.
Dill's distinctive aroma mostly derives from the chemical carvone, which comes in a + and a - form (technicaly, they're enantiomers, two chemicals that are mirror images of each other and non-superimposable). The + Carvone smells like dill, or caraway seed, while the - form smells of spearmint.
Dill's flavor makes it an important part of pickle recipes. It can also be used with most fish, but dominates foods quickly.
Dill should be used carefully in cocktails -- American oak barrels tend to give wine a dill aroma after the wine has aged for a few years, and the use of Dill in drinks can mimic that effect.
Some popular cocktails containing Dill
- It's Green, So it Must be Good For You — Blanco tequila, Jasmine Liqueur, Bitters, Cucumber juice, Lime juice, Simple syrup, Sparkling water, Fleur de sel, Dill
- Cukes of July — Gin, Maraschino Liqueur, Falernum, Aromatized wine, Bitters, Lime juice, Club soda, Cucumber, Dill
- In a Pickle — Gin, Elderflower liqueur, Falernum, Lime juice, Cucumber, Dill
- Nordic Milk Punch — Aquavit, Bianco Vermouth, Gran Classico, Milk, Honey syrup, Lemon juice, Dill
- The Vegan Reuben — Gin, Aquavit, Dry vermouth, Bitters, Cocktail onion, Dill
- Oaxaca by the Sea — Aquavit, Mezcal, Lime juice, Agave syrup, Salt, Lime, Dill
- Complement Cocktail — Gin, Aquavit, Maraschino Liqueur, Dill
- The 866 — Aquavit, Campari, Grapefruit juice, Dill, Salt
- Freeside — Gin, Bianco Vermouth, Caramelized Ramp Bitters, Cucumber, Dill, Lemon peel
- Dill or No Dill — Gin, Cucumber juice, Elderflower syrup, Lemon juice, Dill, Salt