Often clients ask if they have to completely give up alcohol. I beleive that everyone is in charge of thier own health. How sick a person feels...how fast do they want to get better, etc. But hey - I enjoy a cocktail now and then and typically use imprinted vodka or gin. Today I thought I would share a cocktail using herbs harvested from pots on my deck and cukes from the garden.
I use Kirkland brand gin – a friend whose summertime go-to drink believes that this off-brand is similar to a $50 bottle of Hendrick’s gin. First, I will share the recipe and then share the health benefits of the herbs used. These particular herbs go quite well with this juniper berry based gin, which is also infused with lemon peel and coriander.
Directions:
If available you can try other citrus flavored herbs, such as pineapple sage, lemongrass or lemon thyme - all go well with this brand of gin. I have actually used nearly all at one time, but for the lemon thyme which is rather potent and demands its own time with the gin and cucumber, in my opinion.
So let’s discuss the ingredients:
Gin is made from juniper berries, little dark purple nuggets with superfood powers. These berries can help fight infection and prevent heart disease, improve blood circulation and even help fight kidney and liver disease.
Sweet Basil is an herb used extensively in Ayurvedic (Indian) medicine for its antiseptic properties. It has been used traditionally to alleviate and treat flatulence, abdominal cramps, colic, and indigestion. It can also be used to prevent nausea and vomiting, and to rid the body of intestinal worms. In China Sweet basil is used to promote good blood circulation after birth, treat kidney problems and soothe stomach cramps. For certain basil has anti-oxidant properties, which means it fights free-radicals. If you are not one for cocktails adding Sweet Basil to your tonic water will add wonderful flavor and benefits.
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is an herb in the mint family.It is often used for culinary purposes to make teas, marinate chicken or fish, or flavor baked foods and jams. Lemon balm is also believed to treat a range of medical disorders affecting the digestive tract, nervous system, and liver.
Lemongrass health benefits includes detoxifying the body, fighting off biofilm, preventing anemia, supporting good sleep, relieving pain, boosting body immunity, enhancing the skin, promoting healthy cells, treating arthritis, treating anxiety and depression, treating fever, preventing cancer and promoting digestion.
Pineapple sage has following medicinal properties. Anti-depressant; Anxiolytic (Anti-anxiety agent) Anti-hypertensive (lowers blood pressure) Adaptogen (helps coping with stress) Folk medicine uses pineapple sage as general brain tonic and relieving mental fatigue and stress.
Lemon thyme is an herb known to be helpful in treatment of numerous respiratory ailments such as bronchitis and cough, and has excellent anti fungal properties.
For those who like to let loose a bit now and then, an herbal infused gin and tonic is not a bad choice. It is quite refreshing in the summer, and when you add these herbs your adding health benefits to your cocktail. Enjoy!
In peace, love and light,
Rita S.
(Wendy – this post is for you!)
I use Kirkland brand gin – a friend whose summertime go-to drink believes that this off-brand is similar to a $50 bottle of Hendrick’s gin. First, I will share the recipe and then share the health benefits of the herbs used. These particular herbs go quite well with this juniper berry based gin, which is also infused with lemon peel and coriander.
Directions:
- In a pint jar place one basil leaf, a sprig of lemon balm, 2 slices of cucumber. Add one ounce of gin, and cover herbs with White Rock (no corn syrup) brand tonic.
- Allow the cucumber and herbs to sit in the refrigerator for at least two hours for the flavors to marry into the liquid.
- When ready to enjoy, remove the herbs if desired, add ice to the jar and fill with tonic water.
If available you can try other citrus flavored herbs, such as pineapple sage, lemongrass or lemon thyme - all go well with this brand of gin. I have actually used nearly all at one time, but for the lemon thyme which is rather potent and demands its own time with the gin and cucumber, in my opinion.
So let’s discuss the ingredients:
Gin is made from juniper berries, little dark purple nuggets with superfood powers. These berries can help fight infection and prevent heart disease, improve blood circulation and even help fight kidney and liver disease.
Sweet Basil is an herb used extensively in Ayurvedic (Indian) medicine for its antiseptic properties. It has been used traditionally to alleviate and treat flatulence, abdominal cramps, colic, and indigestion. It can also be used to prevent nausea and vomiting, and to rid the body of intestinal worms. In China Sweet basil is used to promote good blood circulation after birth, treat kidney problems and soothe stomach cramps. For certain basil has anti-oxidant properties, which means it fights free-radicals. If you are not one for cocktails adding Sweet Basil to your tonic water will add wonderful flavor and benefits.
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is an herb in the mint family.It is often used for culinary purposes to make teas, marinate chicken or fish, or flavor baked foods and jams. Lemon balm is also believed to treat a range of medical disorders affecting the digestive tract, nervous system, and liver.
Lemongrass health benefits includes detoxifying the body, fighting off biofilm, preventing anemia, supporting good sleep, relieving pain, boosting body immunity, enhancing the skin, promoting healthy cells, treating arthritis, treating anxiety and depression, treating fever, preventing cancer and promoting digestion.
Pineapple sage has following medicinal properties. Anti-depressant; Anxiolytic (Anti-anxiety agent) Anti-hypertensive (lowers blood pressure) Adaptogen (helps coping with stress) Folk medicine uses pineapple sage as general brain tonic and relieving mental fatigue and stress.
Lemon thyme is an herb known to be helpful in treatment of numerous respiratory ailments such as bronchitis and cough, and has excellent anti fungal properties.
For those who like to let loose a bit now and then, an herbal infused gin and tonic is not a bad choice. It is quite refreshing in the summer, and when you add these herbs your adding health benefits to your cocktail. Enjoy!
In peace, love and light,
Rita S.
(Wendy – this post is for you!)
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