Summer Cocktail: A Refreshing Herbal Highball

It’s hot in Oregon this summer. Really, really hot. Which means it’s time for my favorite cooling herbal cocktail. When the thermometer is pushing uncomfortably into the 90s (and just don’t even get me started on our recent 111℉ day here in Eugene), I start thinking about a good hibiscus highball. The beauty of this highball is that it uses ingredients I always have on hand and gives me easy options to customize flavors for different people with my choices of tea and ginger beer. I like to use our Hibiscus High Tea because it is full of some of my favorite herbal allies and I love the cooling power and gorgeous, deep red of hibiscus. Sometimes I also brew up a Lemon Tea or Vanilla Rooibos for a delicious change of pace. Enjoy!

You will need to make the tea in advance, so it has time to chill completely before making highballs.

Summer Highball

Makes 1 highball

Ingredients

• 3 oz. organic Hibiscus High Tea, Lemon Tea, or Vanilla Rooibos
• Ice
• 2 oz. gin, vodka, or white rum of choice
• 3 oz. organic ginger beer, homemade or buy your favorite brand
• Fresh organic mint and orange peel for garnish, optional

Directions

1. Brew and steep tea of choice according to package directions. Put in refrigerator to cool completely.
2. When tea is cold, combine tea with ice and alcohol of choice in a cocktail shaker and shake well.
3. Strain into a highball or Collins glass.
4. Top with ginger beer.
5. Garnish with optional sprig of fresh mint and orange peel.

Summer Highball Punch Recipe

Makes about 25 drinks.

If you need to serve a summer crowd, punch is the way to go!

Ingredients

• 1 gallon organic Hibiscus High, Vanilla Rooibos, or Lemon Tea, brewed and chilled
• 1 gallon organic ginger beer, homemade or buy your favorite brand
• 2 quarts gin, vodka, or white rum of choice
• Ice

Directions

1. Thoroughly mix tea, ginger beer, and alcohol with ice in a large bowl.
2. Allow guests to ladle the punch into ice-filled cups.

Want to make a delicious, cooling herbal mocktail?

Try this Berry Rose Mocktail with a Sizzle of Ginger

You may also enjoy:

• Herb-Infused Summer Cocktails and Mocktails
• Herbal Gin Fizz Recipe
• Holy Basil & Strawberry Agua Fresca Mocktail Recipe