Herbal Alternatives to Alcoholic Party Drinks

Thanks Kate Herbal Alternatives to Alcoholic Party Drinks The genius of Rooibos/Hibiscus tea, served room temperature in wine glasses at parties, is that as it looks just like red wine, it takes away all drinking ‘pressure’. Someone could drink only tea, or alternate between tea and wine, or drink as much wine as they feel comfortable drinking and then switch to tea. I first learned this trick from acclaimed herbalist Lata Kennedy, the long-time herbal goddess of Manhattan’s East Village who is the proprietor of Flower Power Herbs and Roots on East 9th St. She serves the tea alongside a good Bordeaux at her parties. Hibiscus and Rooibos are both antioxidant and full of vitamin C, which boosts the immune system and generates energy. Hibiscus is an excellent circulatory tonic. Drinking hibiscus makes me feel glad. It feels heart-opening. For white wine drinkers, Linden tea works similarly, as its a very pale yellow color, and tastes good chilled as well as warm. Linden is also a circulatory and heart tonic. Its deeply relaxing, and most of my friends and clients who drink it on a regular basis report that it makes them feel happy and carefree, like a kid. This has been my experience, too. Its a beloved beverage in Eastern Europe, Proust writes about it in Swan's Way, but is not cultivated in the U.S. I harvest my own from the huge trees in Prospect Park each summer. You can buy organic bulk Linden from Mountain Rose Herbs. My non-drinking friends tell me that sparkling cider with a generous helping of homemade elderberry syrup served in a fluted glass is one of the most exciting party drinks they have every imbibed. Like the hibiscus/roobios, when this is served at parties, people are generally animated due to the jolt of vitamin C. It is a good beverage for encouraging dancing.