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DIY Herbal Spritzers

4/22/2020

As the weather warms up enjoy a refreshing drink that gives your body a nutrient boost. I enjoy these Herbal Spritzers in the morning, afternoon and night. They make a great celebratory drink if you’re cutting down on the booze too.

Step 1:
Make REALLY strong tea. Infuse herbs like they are on their way to become syrup. I have had success slow cooking my herbs for 4 hours or you can simmer them on the stove for 1-2 hours. Simmering the herbs on the stove will make a more concentrated brew because some of the water will evaporate.

My general ratio is 1 cup of dried herbs with 4 cups of water.

What herbs do I use?
I have really enjoyed making an elderberry-immune concoction using elderberries, schisandra berries, reishi mushroom, marshmallow root, licorice, fresh ginger, and cinnamon. But the world is your oyster!

Check out my elderberry syrup and adaptogenic root beer recipes for some inspiration.

The best herbs to slow cook and simmer are roots and barks and berries. If you are using all flowers and leaves, I would cut the brewing time in half.

Step 2:
Let your herbal mixture cool to room temperature. Strain the liquid into a jar using a mesh strainer. If you used berries, make sure to use the back of the spoon to squish all the juice out. Compost the used herbs.

Add 1/4- 1/3 cup honey and shake jar vigorously to dissolve. I use much less than I would if I was making a syrup. Note that this will make your ice cubes a little sticky. You can choose to not use honey if you want an unsweetened version or try another form of sweetener.

I also add a splash of apple cider vinegar for preservation.

Step 3:
Pour your herbal infusion into an ice cube tray. Once completely frozen transfer to another airtight container for storage. I usually do a few rounds of this since I only have one ice cube tray.

I found the best results with a silicone mold where I can push the herbal cubes out.

Step 4:
Serve! Mix one herbal ice cube with 6 oz of carbonated water for a simple herbal spritzer.

Some of my other favorite additions are:
-lemon juice
-lime juice
-cranberry juice
-beet juice
-pomegranate juice
-coconut water

I just use a splash of these to not dilute my carbonated water too much.

BONUS: I also freeze my favorite juices (100% organic unsweetened cranberry and pomegranate) into ice cubes and use them in spritzer beverages as well.

Some of my favorite places to purchase bulk herbs are Mountain Rose Herbs, Starwest Botanicals. and Lhasa Karnak

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Adaptogenic Root Beer

3/20/2020

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This recipe is dedicated to my inner child who used to guzzle root beer when ever I saw a soda dispenser. Many years and a nutrition degree later, I still love root beer, but am pretty far away from reaching for soda. So I decided to make my own herbal adaptogenic root beer. Cheers to all the root beer and herbal medicine fans out there, this one is for you.

Ingredients:
4 cups water
⅓ cup sassafras bark
¼ cup sarsparilla root
¼ cup eleuthero root
2.5 tbsp wintergreen leaves
2 star annaise
2 tbsp burdock root
1.5 tbsp ginger root
¼ vanilla bean (cut in half with seeds scraped out)
1.5 tablespoon lemon zest
3/4 cup honey

Note: With the stove top method, the root beer concentrate cooks down to about 1 cup. While the instant pot method, the root beer concentrate remains at 4 cups.

I have found success with both methods, the more concentrated the mixture, the less you need.

Adjust the honey as needed for your preferred sweetness.

Sometimes I add a splash of brandy to help with the preservation of the mixture.

Instructions:* (see note)
Stove Top Method:
Combine all herbs and water. DO NOT ADD THE HONEY. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, covered, for about two hours.

Instant Pot Method:
Combine all herbs and water. DO NOT ADD THE HONEY. Cover and lock. Set to Manual High Pressure for 30 minutes. Allow to depressurize naturally.

Using a mesh strainer, strain the liquid into a glass jar. Compost the herbs.

Allow liquid to cool to room temp, then add honey, close the lid to the jar and shake vigorously until it is completely dissolved. You can use a blender if you'd like.

Store in the fridge.

Add 2 tbsp to 8oz of bubbly water and enjoy!

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DIY Elderberry Syrup

3/2/2020

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Make your own homemade immune-boosting elder berry syrup!

It SO MUCH cheaper to make yourself v.s purchasing it at the store and is a tasty way to defend against the cold and flu for kids and adults.

Elderberry syrup is packed with antioxidants, minerals and vitamins A and C. This botanical remedy has historically been used to prevent or shorten symptoms of the common cold and flu.

Ingredients:
-3/4 cup - 1 1/2 cups* organic dried elderberries
-1 cinnamon stick
-2 inches fresh ginger, sliced.
-1 tablespoon schisandra berries
-1/4 cup organic dried orange peel
-2-3 slices of dried reishi mushroom
-2 star anise pods
-4 cups water
-1 cup raw, local honey

*The more elderberries, the thicker and stronger the syrup will be.

Elderberry, ginger, orange and cinnamon in an instant pot

Instructions:
Stovetop:
Combine elderberries, cinnamon stick, ginger, orange peel, schisandra berries, reishi, anise pods and water. DO NOT ADD THE HONEY. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, covered, for about an hour.

Instant Pot:
Combine elderberries, cinnamon stick, ginger, orange peel, schisandra berries, reishi, anise pods and water. DO NOT ADD THE HONEY. Cover and lock. Set to Manual High Pressure for 20 minutes. Allow to depressurize naturally.

Using a mesh strainer, strain the liquid into a glass jar. Use the back of a spoon to mash the berries and extract even more liquid. Compost the berries.

Allow liquid to cool to room temp, then add honey, close the lid to the jar and shake vigorously until it is completely dissolved. You can use a blender if you'd like.

Store in the fridge.

Dosing:
Prevention and immune health
Adults: 1 Tablespoon 1x day
Kids 2-7: 1/4 Tablespoon 1x day
Kids 8-12: 1/2 Tablespoon 1x day

If you are sick:
Adults: 1 Tablespoon 3x day
Kids 2-7: 1/4 Tablespoon 3x day
Kids 8-12: 1/2 Tablespoon 3x day

Dosing recommendations from
Dr. Aviva Romm, herbalist and MD via Erin Holt Health.

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DIY Herbal Spritzers

Adaptogenic Root Beer

DIY Elderberry Syrup

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