Summer Tea, Mocktails and Cordials

As the old song goes, "summer time, and the livin' is easy" so just kick back and sip some of those fun summer drinks; alcoholic or not. Many more creative culinary minds have put together drink recipes for  those that have food allergies and just plain want a refreshing cooler that doesn’t contain sugar, gluten or alcohol. A change of pace from water that tastes great, hydrates well and is healthy and celebratory at the same time.
 
Where do we start? In summer, whether it is hot tea on a cool morning or iced tea on a hot afternoon, there are a myriad of choices. First of all any hot tea can be made cool by making it strong and adding ice. The Tazo Company has always been good at commercial, organic, non-sugary iced teas in bottles or tea bags. Easily made into sun teas, they have chai, lattes, green tea choices, and hibiscus/citrus choices. Easy to find in your local health food store or order on line at tazo.com. There are many others commercially and locally. Just recently on a trip to Florida, I discovered The Spice and Tea Exchange (spiceandtea.com). Just walking into the
store is a heady experience of savory, citrus, and warm aromas. So many teas, spice mixes, herbal blends, vinegars, oils and accessories for exploring your personal palette and creative juices. I walked away with a Decaffeinated Mango Green Tea that my husband and I fell in love with for hot days. The mango flavor is not lost in the other ingredients like some fruit teas; and it blends nicely with lemon peel, safflower, calendula and naturally decaffeinated green tea for a smooth finish. I made sure I could mail order from them at any time as there are so many more I want to try. I also found out they have a store in Portsmouth, NH and their main offices are in Minnesota.
 
Sometimes on hot nights or enjoying a great meal, I'm not always inclined to begin with an alcoholic beverage. I'm one of those people who likes to taste every part of my meal. I find alcohol can sometimes, not always, interfere with my tastebuds; especially when I am having some kind of light fare with subtle flavors. But having a special drink to go with a special meal, is part of the attraction and this is where the mocktail can come into play. As an herbalist, I understand that mixing too many flavors can interfere with the outcome; but mixing the right ones is an art in itself. Most restaurants now have their own mocktail choices and specials
of the house. Whether smooth or carbonated, fresh ingredients like mint, berry juices, spices and the water/seltzer/tonic base can wake up an appetite. A good bar tender and the newest in organic and fresh ingredients can be a fun option. All you need to do is ask your wait person if they have mocktails and you may be surprised at what you discover. If weight gain is an issue for you, these would also be a good alternative for you without missing out on the fun!
 
Cordials are wonderful too! Wikipedia defines a cordial as "any invigorating and stimulating preparation that is intended for a medicinal purpose. The term derives from an obsolete usage. Various concoctions were formerly created that were believed to be beneficial to one's health, especially for the heart.";  In herbal circles, cordials started with making bitters; the liver stimulating flavor addition to strong alcoholic drinks originating for the men in the smoking jackets in the lounge before dinner. In this day and season they have become flavorful alcohol based varieties of medicinal, yet tasty herbs infused for single shot sipping or mixed drink additions. For creative connoisseurs, they have become another avenue to explore. As an extension to that idea, new alcoholic drink combinations are being produced every day actually beginning to compete with the brewery industry. 

 We don't need to be looking for a night on the town to enjoy a flavorful, medicinal and refreshing addition to our drink menus even at home. If food exploration appeals to you, you can make your drink menu an additional enjoyment for your dinner guests. Whether it's a birthday party, a graduation celebration or just enjoying a meal with good friends; adding a unique drink option to a simple meal of great food can open up a new avenue for entertaining.
 
Whatever your favorite, try some! Most health food stores now have a section along with their beers and wines of these alcoholic or non-alcoholic organic or locally made options ready for your tasting. AND don't forget, you can find recipes all over the internet to try in your kitchen at home if, adventures in food are for you. We have included a few in the recipe section below for you. Once you whet your appetite, you are on your way to new things!
 
Laugh often and love much this summer as you gather with friends and family!!

Here's one you can try -- Yellow Dock Bitters
 
This is a bitter we developed in one of our herbal classes as a tasty liver tonic. It has to steep in the alcohol for 4 to 6 weeks, so make a quantity ahead to fit your needs. The blended flavors of ginger, turmeric and cinnamon can add zest in the summer as an iced drink and warmth in the winter as a hot one. You can use it by the dropper medicinally. Try using it with ice and a sparkling water, to add some flare to a wine cooler, or as an spicey addition to a more formal mixed drink. The sky's the limit!!
 
2 parts yellow dock
2 parts fresh turmeric root
1 part fresh ginger root
1/2 part cinnamon
1/4 part black pepper
2 parts honey, optional
75% alcohol (or apple cider vinegar)
 
Chop roots as small as possible and grind dry ingredients with coarse grinder. Place all ingredients into an appropriate sized jar and lid and add honey or alcohol to 2 inches above your dry ingredients. Place cover on jar and let stand 4 - 6 weeks. Strain out the herbs, rebottle, label and date.
                                                          Cheers!!

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