4 Mood-Boosting Beverages Guaranteed To Lift Your Spirits—Without The Spirits
No alcohol, total refreshment
Written by Raven Pearson
It’s official: 2020 has been rough. The “new normal” might have reinforced some healthy habits, like thorough hand washing, but it’s encouraged some not-so-healthy indulgences. From day drinking on the couch, to the glass of wine with dinner that turned into three, many of us have been unconsciously reaching for comfort in a bottle during these difficult times. The good news is, you can replace that cocktail with something more nourishing. The following beverages are fun and relaxing, with ingredients that keep you balanced. (Ginger makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside, but won’t make you text your ex.) The best part is, each drink is designed to be easy to make. No headaches—hangover or otherwise.
Before we get into the recipes, know that each are customizable to suit your personal tastes and access to ingredients. It’s hard to go wrong with fresh fruit, herbs, spices, and teas, so have fun!
Herbed Simple Syrup
The herbs in this homemade sweetener add a fresh complexity to any beverage. (Cut the sugar with raw local honey for extra antioxidants and immune benefits.)
Water: 1 cup
Sugar, raw, brown, or granulated: 1 cup (if preferred, use ½ cup sugar and ½ cup honey or agave)
Fresh herbs: ½ cup of whole mint leaves, lavender sprigs, Thai basil, rosemary, or any other edible herb/flower of your choice
Add water and sugar (or ½ sugar, ½ honey) to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently to dissolve sugar completely. Simmer for 1 minute. Take off heat, stir in fresh herbs. Let steep for 30 minutes, then strain. Use immediately, or refrigerate for up to one month.
Chamomile Lavender Lemonade
The natural relaxants in chamomile and fresh lavender pair with bright lemon to create a calming, yet refreshing iced beverage.
Chamomile Tea: 1 sachet or single loose leaf serving
Lemon juice: Squeezed from ½ lemon
Lavender Honey Simple Syrup (see above recipe): 2 tbs, or to taste
Sparkling Water (or still, if preferred): Approximately 12 oz
1 16 oz, heat-resistant glass
Steep 1 sachet or diffuser of chamomile tea into 4 ounces of boiling hot water into a glass for 5 minutes. Remove tea bag, stir in 2 tablespoons of lavender syrup. Squeeze 1/2 lemon into the chamomile mixture, and stir well. Add ice cubes to fill the glass, then fill with seltzer water. Stir and serve with lemon wedge or lavender sprig for extra flavor, if desired.
Melon Agua Fresca with Coconut Water
Water-rich fruits such as cantaloupe or watermelon are the perfect hydrating pick-me-up. The added electrolytes in thirst-quenching coconut water, energizing mint, and a pinch of spicy ginger make for a truly revitalizing drink.
Seedless fresh melon* (any type): 1 cup, peeled and cubed
Coconut water (if unavailable, regular water or sparkling water works as well): 1 cup
Fresh ginger root, peeled and grated (optional): 1-2 tsp
Lime wedge
Fresh mint sprigs
Lightly crush fresh mint in a tall glass. Puree melon cubes and grated ginger in a blender, then strain mixture over mint. Fill glass with ice cubes, fill to top with coconut water, add a tiny squeeze of lime, and stir well.
*For an equally hydrating variation, sub out melon for peeled cucumber and a touch of simple syrup or sweetener.
Spiced Chocolate Rooibos “Latte”
Rooibos is an earthy, smooth, caffeine-free tea known for its incredible antioxidant properties and nutrients. Pure cocoa powder, warm cinnamon, and a dash of vanilla satisfy the coffee craving, without the jitters. Want it iced? Double the steeped ingredients.
Rooibos tea: 1 sachet or single loose leaf serving
Hot water: Approx. 8 oz
Cocoa powder: 1 tsp
Cinnamon: 1 tsp
Powdered Ginger: 1 tsp
Vanilla extract: 1 dash
Sweetener, to taste (optional)
Oat milk, or any other preferred creamer, to taste
Steep rooibos, in a tea diffuser filled with cocoa, cinnamon, and ginger in boiling hot water for 5-7 minutes. Meanwhile, heat your preferred amount of milk in a pan or microwave until barely simmering. (For extra silkiness, use a beverage frother after heating.) Remove tea and spices from mug. Add a tiny dash of vanilla extract, and sweetener, if desired. Top with hot milk, stir, and enjoy!
Fizzy Fruit “Mimosa”
Sometimes, you just want a sweet indulgence. Enjoy your Zoom happy hour with this delightful sparkling cocktail! Experiment with flavor combinations such as fresh pineapple with coconut sorbet, or raspberries with sweet lemon. Add a dash of fruit juice, if you’d like--the sky’s the limit.
Scoop of fruit sorbet, any flavor
Sparkling water with fruit essence (such as LaCroix)
Ginger beer (use one high in ginger and lower in sugar for a healthier alternative)
Fresh fruit, any kind
Splash of fruit juice, any kind
Fill glass with ice and chunks of fruit. Fill with equal parts ginger beer and sparkling water. Top with small scoop of fruit sorbet, and garnish with more fresh fruit.
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