Cooling and soothing herbs for summer swelter and edgy times are in need these days.
One of my favorites cooling summer teas is Hibiscus Mint.
There are a variety of infusions teas, cocktails, and mocktails that I love to drink. Below are a few of my favorites.
I have prepared a lovely recipe booklet that includes the recipes below, as well as Sumac Berry Lemonade, Strawberry Rose Bubbles, Cucumber Lemon Balm Cooler and herbal tidbits.
I can send them right to your inbox, just click below to let me know!
Hibiscus flowers are very cooling and refreshing to the body, especially on a hot summer day. They are referred to as “flowers”, but the part of the Hibiscus plant is technically used in teas are the calyx, which wrap around the flower bud. Hibiscus is an herb that is known to modulate blood pressure and to be a tonic to the vascular system.
Hibiscus Ice Cubes offer a refreshing tangy addition to water, iced tea, mocktails, or cocktails.
Ingredients & supplies:
1/2 oz by weight of hibiscus flowers
1 quart boiling water
2 1-quart mason jars and lids
staining cloth and ceramic coffee drip filter
Directions:
Weigh the “flowers” and place in a 1 quart jar, fill the jar with boiling water, cover with a tight lid, let sit on the counter for 4-8 hours, strain and freeze in ice cube trays. The hibiscus ice cubes.
Mint comes in many flavors, shapes, and colors. They include peppermint, spearmint, applemint, pineapple mint, curly mint, variegated mint, wild mint, and the list goes on. Mint can be quite cooling and refreshing. Mints open our breathing, relieve cramping and spasms, and calm the nerves. They are easy to grow. Make sure to give them their own space, because they can take over a garden.
Hibiscus Mint Tea
Ingredients & supplies:
4 tsp cut and sifted dry Hibiscus flowers (or 2 Tbsp whole dry flower)
2 Tbsp fresh mint leaves or 4 tsp dry crushed mint leaves
lemon slices for garnish
4 cups boiling water
1 teapot or quart mason jar
Directions:
Place herbs in a teapot or quart jar, fill vessel with boiling water, cover, and steep for 20 minutes, strain, drink over ice. Garnish with lemon slices.
Linden flowers are one of my favorite herbs. They are soothing to the nerves and mucous membranes. Mucous membranes include the entire digestive tract, respiratory tract, urinary tract, and the skin. They have a general anti-inflammatory action across the whole body. Linden flower tea is a classic cold and flu remedy in France for children, adults, and elders.
Linden Nourishing Infusion is the best way to enjoy this lovely flower and reap benefits from the healing properties.
Ingredients & supplies:
1/2 oz, by weight, of Linden Blossoms
1 quart of boiling water
2 1-quart mason jars with lids
straining cloth (a square from a "potato sack towel”) and ceramic coffee drip filter
Directions:
Weigh the blossoms with a kitchen scale and place blossoms in a quart jar, fill the jar with boiling water, cover with a tight lid, let sit on the counter for 4-8 hours, place in fridge for 1+ hours, strain and drink within a couple days, store in fridge. Drink over ice.
Linden Vodka Spritzer
Ingredients & supplies:
linden infusion
1 0Z vodka
bubbly water collins glass
ice
whole linden flowers for garnish
Directions:
Combine the ingredients, stir, and enjoy.
Do you want more cooling and soothing herbal drink recipes, including Strawberry Rose Bubbles, Cucumber Lemon Balm Cooler, and Sumac Berry Lemonade? Click below and I will send them to you!