A Truly Happy Hour
I am not too big on zero proof booze but I do like a fancy drink on occasion & sometimes I miss the ritual of happy hour. So I few weeks ago started having a little bubbly at the end of the day to relax & close the book on work. I would love it if you joined me!
Here are 3 recipes to get you chilled out, literally & figuratively. Let’s start with my favorite.
Painless Chamomile Champagne. It is just as luxurious as any brut & causes zero headaches. Chamomile is famous for being a sleepy time herb but it is so much more. Yes, it chills out the nervous system but unlike alcohol - it is very hydrating & will serve you all summer long. It’s got a good amount of potassium too which helps move nutrients into our cells & waste out of them. Since many people in recovery are nutrient deficient I’d say this is a win!
Try a stronger steep for this treat. I would generally use 1 tablespoon to 8 ounces of water for a cup of tea but for this application - I double down.
Brew 2 tablespoons of Chamomile flowers per 8 ounces of water to make a concentrate. I like it so much I tend to make a bigger batch (a quart at a time) & keep it in a pitcher in the fridge.
Fill a champagne flute or even a mason jar (whatever fits your vibe) about 2/3’s of the way with chilled chamomile & top it off with your favorite sparkling mineral water. It’s that easy! The totally optional cherry on top here would be to add a dropper full of an herbal extract. I chose Texas Medicinal’s Sacred Heart Daily Tonic* - made from wildflowers & mushrooms right here in Austin, Tx. It’s designed to aid in emotional support & heart health. Two things that I am totally looking for in a Happy Hour.
Next up.. Hibiscus, Mint & Watermelon Cooler
Oh how I love this combination! It is delicious, hydrating, refreshing, totally gorgeous & it has many health benefits. First off (& most importantly to us) - Hibiscus is great for the liver. It increases drug-detoxifying enzymes & can help reduce the damage we have inflicted over the years. For anyone out there with fatty liver disease - I raise this glass to you. It is also anti-inflammatory making it great for our skin, the largest organ of them all. PLUS it has been shown to regulate blood pressure, improve your mood, decrease hair loss (& some say grays too). The Peppermint is not only cooling to our system but it invigorates the mind and aids in digestion too! Seriously - if you are feeling bloated, farty or have a case of heartburn, reach for some peppermint tea. The Watermelon does all of these things too while adding a hefty dose of lycopene. This is an antioxidant well known for combating oxidative stress which runs rampant in our modern world. It protects our bodies from free radicals which reduces our risk of chronic diseases like Type 2 Diabetes, Heart Disease, Cancer & even Neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. The risk for all of these diseases goes up with substance abuse but, I digress! Let’s make it!
You will need:
* 2 cups steeped & cooled Hibiscus Mint Tea
(1 heaping teaspoon to 8 oz of H20)
* 2 cups diced watermelon
* A blender
Voila! Blend, pour, sip away! If you wanted to take your summer fun to the next level you could pour this mix into some popsicle molds or Dixie cups with a spoon as a stick if you wanna go old school.
Last but not least, dress up any ole fizzy water with an Herbal Simple Syrup. Just don’t over do it & get sugar high. As the name suggests, the ratio is pretty well, simple. It is 1:1. One parts water (or in this case tea) to one parts sugar.
Brew up your herbs 1-4 cups at a time & mix in an equal amount of sugar while it is still hot. Stir until it is dissolved, let it cool a& store it in the fridge. It will be good there for a month. Add a tablespoon to your bevies & enjoy their magical herbaceous qualities! Use any of the herbs mentioned above (the peppermint goes great in a latte) or try something like..
Ginger - spicy & great for digestion. Blends well with peach, citrus & berries.
Rosemary - great for your immune system & your memory. Tastes amazazing with grapefruit.
Basil - lessens anxiety, depression & inflammation. Goes well with every summer fruit I can think of! Watermelon, strawberries, peaches.. the list goes on.
Cheers to all of you! Since no one likes to drink alone - Please do let me know what you think if you give any of these recipes a spin.
xo