Forget sugary sodas, energy drinks, fruit juice cocktails, and all the other unhealthy beverages out on the market today.  You can create healthy, tasty, and natural summer herbal beverages at home. Here at Williams Food Equipment we have everything you need to perfect that herbal elixir that’s fit for the entire family.

Tisanes, or herbal tea as most refer to it, is a drink using dried, fresh flowers and/or leaves, infused in boiling water.  Tea, not herbal, is still the leaves of the plant, but only from a true tea plant species.  Tea typically has a caffeine content.  These summer herbal beverages mentioned here, are sans caffeine. Therefore, great for everyone to enjoy!

For centuries, most countries have been brewing up herbal remedies.  With that said, my own personal favourite is Jamaica.  This country has some intoxicating elixirs, remedies, concoctions and, brews for many health ailments, as well as just some great tasting drinks!  This beautiful, deep-red cold drink is so simple and refreshing on a hot summer day that it is the perfect summer herbal beverage.

[caption id="attachment_2414" align="aligncenter" width="452"] Cold Brew Hibiscus Tea with ice and Mint Leaves. Summer Beverage.[/caption]

JAMAICA: THE SUMMER HERBAL BEVERAGE

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar (or another sweetener of choice/ to taste)
• 4 cups boiling water
• 4 cups cold water
• 1 ½ cups cut and sifted organic hibiscus flowers

Directions:

To make Summer Herbal Beverages, boil 4 cups of water in an All-Clad 6QT Stainless Steel Stock Pot with Lid.  Measure out the flowers and sugar with the Johnson-Rose Measuring Cup Set.  Once water is at a boil, place your flowers in and simmer for 20 minutes.  Strain the flowers using the Browne 12” Double Mesh Strainer.  Stir in sugar while still warm to dissolve.  Place ingredients in the Fox Run Prodyne 96oz Flavour Pitcher with Freezer Ice Tube.  Add the 4 cups of cold water.  Serve over ice in a Cambro 16oz Tumbler.  Garnish with lime if you wish.

Experimenting with herbs is really fun and a great way to get the kiddos involved!  Plus, the added health benefits are also a great asset to homemade herbal tea blends.  When using fresh herbs, keep in mind they require three times more than their dried counterparts.  The primary herb needed for infusion should be approximately 1 teaspoon per cup.  The secondary herb is ½ a teaspoon per cup.  Infusing begins when pouring boiling water over your herbs and submerging them.  Cover to help hold in any oils.  Steep for at least 15 minutes to 1 hour to allow the essential oils to be extracted into the water creating your thirst quenching summer herbal beverage.

Each herb has added health benefits in different ways.  Take peppermint, it has been used for hundreds of years for its stomach-soothing properties.  Not only does peppermint aid in digestion, but it also helps the brain!!  It's menthol properties helps improve mental awareness, clarity, and memory by increasing the oxygen count in your blood, therefore, increasing blood flow to your brain.

Other herbs such as Lemon Verbena, Lemongrass, and Lemon Thyme awaken the senses as they are full of antioxidants and vitamin C.  Drink it hot in the morning to start your engine but refrigerate for a nice cold glass of nature’s liquid energy tonic for an afternoon pick-me-up.

Chamomile has been the gold standard herbal beverage for a good night's sleep and is the most ancient herbal medication from the past and will continue to be long into the future for its medicinal properties.  Chamomile has long been used medicinally for stress, hay fever, inflammation, muscle spasms, insomnia, ulcers, wounds and, gastrointestinal disorders just to name a few and the essential oils of chamomile have been and are still used in cosmetics and aromatherapy today.  Lavender and chamomile make a great pair as these two herbs work hand-in-hand to relax one’s soul.  Passionflower and Lemon Balm also aid in a stress-free cold drink at the lake.

All of these summer herbal beverages can be consumed hot or cold.  Since summer is upon us, icing these concoctions makes for a cool and refreshing summer choice.

Whether for health or taste, herbal beverages have long endured the test of time.  A tea sommelier understands nature's herbs and spices and is a true master of teas.  They utilize nature's herbs and spices infusing them in clean hot water, then chilling to a perfect temperature for truly intense culinary experience.  Tea sommeliers investigate different herbs from around the globe in selecting that perfect blend for one's psyche for an enjoyable summer herbal beverage.

A product we need to mention is the Breville One-Touch Tea Maker.  This is an unbelievable machine!  Placing your herbs in the fully automatic tea basket is a joy to watch and drink!  Fully programmable for all types of water temps, steep times, and tea types, this masterpiece of infusing technology is well worth every penny!  The German made glass kettle never stains.  The Breville One-Touch looks great on any counter.

[caption id="attachment_2418" align="aligncenter" width="474"] The Breville infuses herbs best![/caption]

Not only are herbs for teas, let us not forget they are delectable in smoothies.  These summer delights also put a nice flare on the summer herbal beverages and are full of nutrition on a hot day.  Some of the best herbs we have found for smoothies are Thyme, Rosemary, Lavender, Tarragon, Basil, Parsley, Dill, and Cilantro.  There are many health cookbooks and online recipes for herbal smoothies.

And, our love of Vitamix is so strong here at Williams Food Equipment!  Smoothies (and anything one can make) in a Vitamix turn out spectacular.  The Vitamix S50 Personal Blender comes with 20oz and 40oz canisters which makes it easy to take your awesome summer herbal beverage to work, to the gym, or into nature for a healthy hike.

Please grow a garden of herbs to enjoy at your own home.  Using herbs in food and drink truthfully livens up your life!  Have a great summer sipping on these nutritious and delicious summer herbal beverages.  Williams Food Equipment's fine products, utensils and tools will help create your summer herbal beverage effortlessly!