Whether the day was filled with work or basking in the sun, nothing beats unwinding with a refreshing beverage that brings bliss without the hangover.
Herbal drinks are also a great way to incorporate herbs and nutrients into our routine. We love using aromatic herbs like lemon balm or rose because they have a subtle yet noticeable effect on the nervous system. A tulsi or lemon verbena margarita, with or without tequila, is just what we crave when feeling a little frazzled from a workday. On hot days, we keep it cool with energetically cooling plants like mint or hibiscus.
When making mocktails, herbal tinctures in sparkling water is as easy as it gets.
Create a sophisticated aperitif with 1/2 tsp of citrus bitters, sparkling water, & a citrus wedge. Experience how the subtle bitterness & vibrant citrus awaken your taste buds while aiding digestion.*
For an alternative to a boozy drink, take the edge off with a Joy Sparkler: 1/2 tsp of Joy Tonic, sparkling water, a juicy citrus wedge, or some edible flowers. Sparkling water enhances the floral notes of lemon balm, rose, & other aromatic herbs in Joy Tonic, an herbal blend to relieve occasional stress, anxiety, & tension*.
Our secret to making easy summer drinks is preparing simple syrups infused with flavors like mint, lemon verbena, tulsi, peaches, and raspberries. These syrups store well in the fridge for a couple of weeks. You can enjoy them over ice with sparkling water for a mocktail, or add liquor for a refreshing cocktail.
The best part is experimenting with the summer flavors available to us. Discover which fruits pair best with the herbs in your backyard and go from there. The possibilities are endless when it comes to adding herbs to summertime drinks.
We encourage you to get creative with pairings, but if you need a bit of inspiration, here are a few favorites:
Simple syrups with herbs and fruit
Rhubarb Syrup
This ratio can be used for any fruit and herbal syrup.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups water
- 1 cups honey
- 1 1/2 cup dried herbs and fruit (we used 1 generous cup of chopped rhubarb and 8 Traditional Medicinals Rosehip Hibiscus teabags)
- 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
Directions:
Combine all ingredients except the lemon juice in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Stirring occasionally. Add the lemon juice. Remove from heat. Let the mixture steep for 30 minutes. Strain and let stand at room temperature until cool. Transfer into clean bottle with cap. Syrup will keep for up to 3 weeks in the refrigerator.
Herbal Simple Syrups
For easy syrups, I make a tea concentrate with dried herbs or teabags.
- ¼ cup herbs, or 5-6 tea bags
- 1 cup water
- 5 Tbsp raw honey, or more depending on your sweetness preference.
Directions:
Pour boiling hot water over the tea bags or herbs and honey. Stir and let cool, strain or discard the tea bags and bottle for later use. Transfer into clean bottle with cap . This syrup can stay in the fridge for up 3 weeks, and you can use it over time.
Fresh Fruit Juice
- 1 cup fresh chopped fruit
- ½ cup water
- 1-2 Tbsp raw honey- optional
Directions: Add the fresh fruit to a blender with the water and blend on high. then straining it through a nut bag or mesh strainer, discarding the fibrous matter. Keep the juice for drinking.
Cocktails + Mocktails
Rhubarb Rosehip Sparkler
Makes 1
Ingredients:
- 2 Tbsp Rhubarb syrup
- 1 cup Sparkling water
- 1 Tsp Joy Tonic
- Ice
- Optional: 1-ounce Gin
Directions: Combine everything in a glass over ice, stir well and garnish with desired toppings: fruit, flowers, or citrus.
Bitter Lemonade
A refreshing digestive soothing and detoxing drink.
Makes 1
Ingredients:
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 2 tsp maple syrup
- ½ cup water
- Pinch of sea salt
- ¼ tsp Original Digestive Bitters
- Ice
Directions: Combine everything but the ice into a mason jar and shake vigorously. Pour over ice and enjoy.
Sun Rays
Tropical, bright and perfect for sipping in the sunshine or the hammock. 
Makes 2
Ingredients:
- 1 cup fresh juice from Mango and Pineapple
- ¼ tsp Turmeric powder
- 2 Tbsp honey
- ½ tsp Citrus Digestive bitters
- 2 oz Gin
- Citrus to Garnish
- Ice
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously. Pour into two glasses and enjoy!
Watermelon Hibiscus Margarita
A summery twist to an herbal margarita! 
Makes 2
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup hibiscus tea concentrate
- 1 Tbsp raw honey
- ½ cup Watermelon juice
- 4 Tbsp Lime juice
- Optional: 2 oz Tequila
- Ice
- Sparkling water
Directions: Combine all ingredients, in a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously. Pour into two glasses, and enjoy!
For an alcohol-free option, omit the tequila, and top off each glass with sparkling water.
If you want to grow a bunch flowers for garnishing summer meals and drinks, check out our Guide to Edible flowers. They take an ordinary dish or drink, and enhance it with beauty, subtle flavors, and the pure joy of colors and flowers. We use them in salads, iced teas, cocktails and mocktails, and chilled wine. They are the perfect garnish on top of smoothies, on cakes, dips, and anything else we can think of that needs a little spark of beauty.
