Cozy up with a warm winter beverage
I wonder if others were singing, “The sun will come out tomorrow. Bet your bottom dollar …” while we sheltered from the atmospheric rivers a few weeks ago. And the sun is out, warming and healing our land and souls. We still need water and welcome more rain storms, but in the meantime are soaking […]
Hibiscus Tea Concentrate

An easy to prepare concentrate that allows for a variety of beverages. Hibiscus tea is great just as is. Its clean, tart profile is a perfect thirst quencher on hot summer days. Or add sweeteners (simple syrups, Stevia, honey, maple syrup), club soda, white wine, fruit to add complexity to the flavor. Ingredients: 2 oz […]
Sumac and Saffron Spritzer

YIELD: 1 CUP 15 to 20 saffron strands ½ cup (100 g) sugar 4 green cardamom pods, smashed 1 oz (1/4 c /30 g) ground sumac Chilled club soda or water PREPARATION Grind the saffron with 2 Tbsp. of sugar to a fine powder using a mortar and pestle. In a medium saucepan over medium-high […]
Sri Lanka Cinnamon Tea
4-5 Sri Lanka Cinnamon sticks, aka Ceylon Cinnamon 6-8 cups water Put cinnamon and water in pan. Turn burner to medium high Steep, do not boil, for 40 minutes. For more intense flavor, pour put mixture in refrigerator overnight. Strain cinnamon, pour beverage into glass with ice for refreshing summer sipping. During the winter months […]
Immunity Shot
Spices are amazingly healthy for us. The following recipe comes from the book, Power Spicing by Rachel Beller, MS, RDN. Makes two 2 oz shots 1/2 cup coconut water 1 tablespoon fresh lemon or orange juice (about 1/2 lemon or 1/4 orange) 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper (this […]
Turmeric Tea
[distance1][one_fourth] Serves: 3-4 people [/one_fourth][one_fourth] Prep Time: 30 min [/one_fourth][one_fourth] Difficulty: Intermediate [/one_fourth][one_fourth] Cooking: 7 hours[/one_fourth][distance1] [distance1] 1 cup almond milk 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 – 1 teaspoon turmeric 1/4 teaspoon ginger 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 teaspoon honey, or 1 -3 drops liquid Stevia
Homemade Chai
Serves: 3-4 people Prep Time: 30 min Difficulty: Intermediate 1 Tbsp anise seed 6 green cardamom pods 12 cloves 1 cinnamon stick 1/4 tsp dried ginger root or ¼ fish ginger, sliced thin 2 bay leaves 7 cups water 2 Tbsp Darjeeling tea or any of your favorite tea 1 cup milk 6 Tbsp honey, honey powder or […]
Hibiscus Sangria
[distance1][one_fourth] Serves: 3-4 people [/one_fourth][one_fourth] Prep Time: 30 min [/one_fourth][one_fourth] Difficulty: Intermediate [/one_fourth][one_fourth] Cooking: 7 hours[/one_fourth][distance1] [distance1] 3 T Hibiscus leaves, dried 2 bottles sauvignon blanc (make sure the description is full of grapefruit and citrus scents) 2 cups ruby red grapefruit juice 1/2 cup simple syrup (or more to taste) 1 small orange, halved and thinly sliced Ice, […]