De-Stress and Unwind in Seconds With This Delicious, Non-Alcoholic Herbal Cocktail
Looking for a mocktail option that isn't just juice and seltzer? Try this kava drink recipe to unwind after a stressful day.
The year 2020 will forever be remembered by most who experienced it as an intensely stressful time (to say the absolute least). Since being cryogenically frozen until it's all over isn't a possibility for any of us, the next best thing tends all too often to come from a bar cart. While there's nothing wrong with alcohol in moderation, Americans are leaning on it more than ever—and we could all stand to have some other stress coping mechanisms in our tool kit. On the latest episode of Plant-Based, our favorite herbalist and holistic health coach Rachelle Robinett offers an alternative far better for our well-being: a booze-free Old Fashioned made from (what else?) plants.
Robinett's mocktail draws inspiration from the classic cocktail—lots of orange, cherry, and bitters flavors—but replaces alcohol with kava, an herb traditionally utilized for its relaxing properties. "This is my go-to," says Robinett, who notes that she enjoys herbal mocktails every day.
Kava, Robinett says, has been used for thousands of years by native peoples of the South Pacific islands as a social lubricant and/or physical relaxant that does not impair your mind. (It more recently started to be adopted by U.S. wellness consumers.) "Depending on the strain of kava that you have, it may be more euphoric or more relaxing," she says. "But overall, it's something that is encouraging GABA production in the brain, and GABA is a neurotransmitter that helps us to relax."
You don't have to use kava specifically, or get as extra as Robinett does in concocting this drink—any liquid herbal extract, aka tincture, can be simply mixed with sparkling water to create a healthy cocktail alternative. When choosing the herb you want to utilize, Robinett recommends thinking about the way you use alcohol—to relax the body, calm the mind, for the culinary experience, to socialize, etc—and then seek out herbs that serve similar functions. "All the different ways we use that lubricant [alcohol] can be replaced by herbs that do the same thing," she explains.
Color me converted, especially given that Old Fashioneds just so happen to be my favorite drink. Watch the video to steal Robinett's recipe for your next outdoor dinner party, happy hour and/or/especially Twitter doomscroll. Cheers!
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Unlock the power of herbalism to transform your health and life
While modern medicine can only take us so far, herbalism—the science and art of plants as medicine—stands the test of time. In Naturally, clinical herbalist Rachelle Robinett offers a beginner-friendly guide to herbalism, revealing everyday remedies and rituals for health and happiness.
Herbs allow you to take control of every aspect of your health in a way that’s natural, sustainable, and completely customizable. Better yet, you don’t need fancy equipment or an extensive pantry to start—just a desire to feel better, naturally.
Weaving practical advice with deep explorations of herbalism’s potential to shift our relationship with the natural world, Robinett shares:
science-backed guidance on how to use herbs to address a range of aliments, like pain and inflammation, how to regulate the nervous system, how to boost memory and mental clarity; and more;
how to work with teas, tinctures, capsules, and other herbal blends, as well as the best format for taking each herb;
the tried-and-true diet and lifestyle considerations to pair with each herbal protocol;
simple, easy-to-follow herbal recipes and formulas.
Whether you’re battling stress and anxiety, chronic pain, digestion issues, poor sleep, low motivation, or even grief, Naturally shows herbs may be the solution you’ve been looking for.
Praise for Naturally
"In [Robinett’s] standout debut. . . [she] shares powerful stories from her clients, in a tone that evokes thoughtful educator rather than salesperson. . . Readers curious about herbalism need look no further."
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)