What Flowers Are Edible in Australia? A Guide for Cake Makers and Cocktail Creators

Edible flowers have been used in kitchens for centuries, bringing colour, flavour and a sense of artistry to food and drinks. In Australia, we have a wide range of safe, beautiful blooms that are perfect for cake decorating and cocktail garnishing. Whether you’re baking for a celebration or mixing drinks at home, edible flowers can turn simple creations into something unforgettable.

Why Use Edible Flowers?

• Visual appeal: Flowers add instant beauty to cakes, cupcakes and cocktails

• Unique flavours: From sweet to citrusy to peppery, flowers provide subtle tasting notes

• Natural and seasonal: A sustainable way to decorate without relying on artificial colours or additives

Popular Edible Flowers in Australia

Here are some of the most versatile and decorative flowers you’ll find in Australian gardens and kitchens

Calendula (Marigolds)

• Flavour: Slightly tangy and citrusy

• Uses: Sprinkle bright orange petals over cakes, cheesecakes or pavlovas, or add colour to cocktail rims

Pansies and Violas

• Flavour: Mild, fresh and slightly grassy• Uses: A favourite for cake decorators, these delicate flowers sit beautifully on buttercream. They also freeze well in ice cubes for cocktails

Roses

• Flavour: Lightly floral, sometimes fruity or spicy

• Uses: Petals can be crystallised for cake decoration, dried for tea blends, or used to rim a cocktail glass

Lavender

• Flavour: Floral with herbal notes

• Uses: Infuse into syrups for cocktails, bake into biscuits or sponge cakes, or pair with lemon desserts

Dianthus

• Flavour: Mildly spicy and clove-like

• Uses: Small petals are ideal for scattering over cupcakes, or floating on top of cocktails for a pop of colour

Linaria

• Flavour: Subtle and delicate

• Uses: Their petite size makes them perfect for intricate cake detailing and cocktail garnishes

Daisies

• Flavour: Mild and slightly sweet

• Uses: Fresh daisies can be pressed into icing or used to decorate naked cakes, and smaller blooms look charming in cocktail garnishes

Snapdragons

• Flavour: Crisp and grassy

• Uses: Their bold colours create striking focal points on cakes, and they add dramatic flair when used as cocktail toppers

Zinnias

• Flavour: Mild and slightly bitter

• Uses: Vibrant and sturdy, zinnias hold their shape well on larger cakes and grazing tables, and their petals bring playful colour to summer cocktails

Cornflowers

• Flavour: Mild with a hint of spice

• Uses: Known for their striking blue hue, cornflowers are popular for decorating wedding cakes and adding a vibrant pop of colour to cocktails

Herbs in Bloom

• Many herbs produce edible flowers, including basil, chives and coriander

• Flavours: Intensified versions of the herb

• Uses: A subtle, aromatic garnish for savoury cocktails or herb-infused cakes

Safety Tips for Eating Flowers

• Only eat flowers you know are safe and grown without pesticides

• Use fresh, untreated flowers from your garden or trusted suppliers

• Introduce new flowers in small amounts to check for sensitivities

• Avoid florist flowers, which are usually treated with chemicals

How to Use Edible Flowers in Cakes and Cocktails

• Cake decorating: Press fresh flowers into buttercream, scatter dried petals over sponges, or crystallise blooms with sugar for a vintage effect

• Cupcakes: Top each with a single viola, pansy or dianthus blossom

• Cocktails: Freeze petals into ice cubes, float flowers on top of gin and tonic, or infuse syrups with lavender or rose

• Cocktail rims: Roll the edge of a glass in crushed petals for a colourful, natural garnish

Where to Buy Edible Flowers in Australia

If you don’t have time to grow your own, you can buy fresh, pressed or freeze dried edible flowers from specialist growers. At Piccolo Edible Flowers we offer a wide range of botanicals perfect for cake makers and cocktail creators. Our flowers are grown, picked and prepared with care, ready for you to use in your kitchen or bar.

Final Word

Edible flowers in Australia offer endless creative options for bakers and cocktail lovers. From delicate violas on cupcakes to zinnias brightening up a summer spritz, flowers add beauty, flavour and a sense of occasion. Next time you’re decorating a cake or mixing a drink, reach for edible flowers to create something that looks as good as it tastes.

Lizzie Buscaino

One-Woman Flower Show (with a Freeze Dryer)