Are you thinking about how to make your winter gathering extra special and festive for the holidays? Hosting mixed age groups or folks who, for whatever reason, aren’t currently drinking alcohol? Read on, as Kerry shares three recipes for yummy mocktails infused with healing herbs that are delicious and good for you!
Selecting a mocktail over a cocktail offers health benefits from avoiding alcohol’s calories and potential negative effects on liver function. Mocktails also provide hydration and allow you to enjoy flavorful drinks without the impact of alcohol-related side effects. And, no matter what your reason for avoiding alcohol, having delicious mocktails on hand feels extra special. They’re also a fun drink option you can enjoy with kids.
Consuming medicinal herbs offers various benefits. Medicinal herbs may have antioxidant properties, provide anti-inflammatory effects, and contribute to overall well-being. Additionally, many herbs contain essential vitamins and minerals, enhancing the nutritional profile of whatever they are added to. Integrating medicinal herbs into your diet can be a flavorful way to support health and potentially address certain health concerns.
We’ve got three delicious holiday mocktails infused with healing herbs from Traditional Chinese herbal medicine for you to try. You’re going to love them!
Please note: Ingredients can be sourced from NuHerbs, My Tao Herb, Integrative Acupuncture, Mountain Rose Herbs, and Plum Dragon Herbs.
Zen Elixir
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons dried hibiscus flowers
- 1 tablespoon dried mint leaves
- 1 tablespoon dried chrysanthemum flowers
- 1 tablespoon dried goji berries
- 1 teaspoon dried orange peel
- 1 slice dried licorice root
- 1 tablespoon honey (adjust to taste)
- Sparkling water
- Ice cubes
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Boil 3 cups of water in a pot.
- Add hibiscus flowers, dried mint leaves, chrysanthemum flowers, goji berries, orange peel, and licorice root to the boiling water.
- Allow the herbs to simmer for 10-15 minutes to extract their flavors.
- Strain the herbal mixture into a pitcher and let it cool.
- Stir in honey until dissolved. To preserve honey’s healing properties, add when liquid is lukewarm.
- Refrigerate the herbal concentrate until chilled.
To serve, fill glasses with ice cubes, pour the herbal concentrate over the ice, and top up with sparkling water. Garnish each glass with fresh mint leaves. The Zen Elixer is a great example of how mocktails infused with healing herbs can be delicious and so good for you!
Zen Elixer’s Anti-Inflammatory Healing Ingredients:
- Hibiscus Flowers: Packed with antioxidants, hibiscus may contribute to heart health and lower blood pressure.
- Mint Leaves: Known for its digestive properties, mint can provide a refreshing and soothing element.
- Chrysanthemum Flower: Cooling chrysanthemum may assist in relieving stress and promoting relaxation.
- Goji Berries: Rich in nutrients, goji berries are believed to support the immune system and overall health.
- Orange Peel: Adds a citrusy twist and provides vitamin C, which is essential for immune support.
- Licorice Root: Adds sweetness and may have anti-inflammatory properties.
East Asian Bliss
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon dried red ginseng slices
- 1 tablespoon dried passion flower
- 1 tablespoon honey (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 2 cups water
- Ice cubes
- Lemon slices for garnish
Instructions
- In a pot, bring 2 cups of water to a gentle boil.
- Add red ginseng slices and passion flower to the boiling water.
- Allow the herbs to simmer for 10-15 minutes to extract their flavors.
- Strain the herbal mixture into a separate container.
- Stir in honey until dissolved, and add ground cardamom. To preserve honey’s healing properties, add when liquid is lukewarm.
- Let the mixture cool, then refrigerate until chilled.
- To serve, fill glasses with ice cubes, pour the herbal concentrate over the ice.
Garnish each glass with a slice of lemon.
East Asian Bliss’s Healing and Anti-Stress Ingredients:
- Red Ginseng: Known as an adaptogen, red ginseng is believed to enhance stamina, reduce stress, and support overall vitality.
- Passion Flower: Traditionally used to alleviate anxiety and improve sleep, passion flower adds a calming element to the mocktail.
- Honey: Besides providing sweetness, honey contains antioxidants and may have antibacterial properties, contributing to overall well-being.
- Cardamom: This spice is known for its digestive benefits and adds a warm, aromatic flavor to the mocktail.
Immune Harmony Elixir
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon dried elderberries
- 1 tablespoon dried honeysuckle flowers
- 1 tablespoon dried echinacea
- 1 tablespoon dried astragalus slices
- 1 teaspoon dried stevia leaves (adjust to taste)
- 3 cups water
- Ice cubes
- Lemon wedges for garnish
Instructions
- In a pot, bring 3 cups of water to a boil.
- Add elderberries, honeysuckle flowers, echinacea, and astragalus slices to the boiling water.
- Allow the herbs to simmer for 15-20 minutes to extract their immune-boosting properties.
- Strain the herbal mixture into a pitcher.
- Stir in dried stevia leaves until dissolved.
- Let the elixir cool, then refrigerate until chilled.
To serve, fill glasses with ice cubes, and pour the herbal concentrate over the ice. Garnish each glass with a wedge of lemon.
Immune Harmony Elixer’s Immune-Boosting Ingredients:
- Elderberries: Packed with antioxidants and vitamin C, elderberries may help boost the immune system and reduce inflammation.
- Honeysuckle Flowers: Known for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, honeysuckle supports immune health.
- Echinacea: Widely used to strengthen the immune system, echinacea may help the body fight off infections.
- Astragalus: A staple in traditional Chinese medicine, astragalus is believed to enhance immune function and support overall vitality.
- Stevia: Besides providing natural sweetness, stevia has antimicrobial properties that may contribute to immune support.
Infuse a festive flair into your holiday celebrations by incorporating holiday mocktails infused with healing herbs from Traditional Chinese Medicine. Beyond adding unique flavors, mocktails infused with healing herbs can bring potential health benefits, from boosting antioxidants to supporting overall well-being. By crafting herbal mocktails, you can savor the season without compromising on taste, offering a refreshing and health-conscious alternative to traditional cocktails that all can enjoy. Cheers!
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