Tonics
At times that you rest and digest through the day, try out some of these quick and simple tonics to keep you hydrated.
These recipe are here to give you some general steer, and hopefully the ingredients and methods will inspire you to start experimenting yourself.
How/if you sweeten your tonics is entirely up to you; you can use date syrup, honey, maple syrup…
~ Flora Nichol
Methods
Teapot
Warm your teapot with hot water (run under a hot tap will do).
Place ingredients into your teapot and add recently boiled hot water.
Leave for 5mins to allow flavours to blend.
Stir in sweetener (optional)
Then poor into mug through a small tea strainer.
Saucepan
Put all ingredients in a saucepan, and gently bring to almost a boil. Just until you see steam starting to arise.
Try retain it at this level for 5-10mins. Keep the heat low and slow until you are happy with the flavour.
Stir/whisk in sweetener
Then strain into your mug.
Recipe Inspiration
CACAO TEA
2 tbs cacao nibs
1tsp vanilla extract
a few gratings of nutmeg
date syrup, or sweetener of your choice
optional – cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, ground coffee
A great, get up and go drink, or a variation for after dinner coffee.
To make this for a table of people, measure out the ingredients X the number of guests. Blend all your dry ingredients in a coffee bean grinder, and then use in a cafeteria like you would normal coffee.
SPICED LEMON TEA
1tbs coriander seeds
1tbs cumin seeds
2 thick slices of lemon, stabbed with a fork
1tsp apple cider vinegar
honey, or sweetener of your choice
This is a great one to make in a large batch in a saucepan. When I work from home, I make five times the recipe, and re-use the brew through the day, and any excess I’ll let cool and keep in some glass bottles for another time.
TURMERIC + MINT TEA
2tbs fresh turmeric (or turmeric bug)
1tbs freshly grated ginger
2 large slices of lemon stabbed with a fork
a large handful of mint
2 turns of black pepper
honey, or sweetener of your choice
optional – lemongrass, kafir lime leaves
This is my go to at the end of an evening. A more elaborate version of this recipe can be found here.
