Spicy Paloma Cocktail & Mocktail with Herbs



Cocktails and mocktails provide the perfect opportunity to put our favorite botanicals to creative use. Whether mixed with fresh garden herbs, homemade tinctures, or kitchen spices, mixed drinks are a fun and tasty way to enjoy the benefits of herbs and spices—and to apply our love of herbalism.

Read More

Minty Lemongrass Oxymel (Without Vinegar) & Summer Mocktail Recipe


When my husband and I got married, we wanted to offer a full mocktail bar for our wedding guests. I love using oxymels for mocktails: the traditional syrup made from an acid and a sweetener (usually vinegar and honey) lends a complex flavor that up-levels any drink. They are also a yummy way to serve herbs to friends and family.

Read More

Elderflower Cordial Made with Fresh or Dried Elderflowers

It’s almost elderflower season! When I excitedly announced this among friends recently, they all gave me a grin-and-eye-roll combination that, if I’m being honest, I receive on a regular basis from this bunch. It’s all done in good fun—it’s no secret that I choose to live my life much slower than the modern-world pace, as closely aligned with the turning of the seasons as possible. My favorite people may tease me about my Luddite ways and seasonal delight over things like elderflowers, but they aren’t fooling anybody. They’re always the first ones to belly up for our refreshing cordials and festive cocktails and, because I let most of my homegrown elderflowers turn into berries, they are also the ones who slyly check in throughout the year to see if I’ve got any cordial made with the dried elderflowers that sustain us when the fresh flowers are long gone. Here’s to elderflower cordial and sharing with friends!

Read More
Posted by Heidi

Guide to Black Tea: Why Do Teas Taste So Different + Tips for Choosing the Best Teas

Camellia sinensis is one of a small number of botanicals on the planet that has altered the course of history. This single precious plant—from which black, green, and white teas, among others, are made—has, for better or worse, been responsible for both the making and the fall of empires. Although it is the mother plant of a variety of teas, its power in the global marketplace is particularly potent when its leaves are fully oxidized to make black teas. Black tea is the most popular type of tea in the world, including here in the States. In 2019, the Tea Association of the U.S.A. reported that people in the U.S. consumed over 3.8 billion gallons of Camellia sinensis-based teas, 84% of which was black tea. What is it about black tea that is so alluring?

Read More
Posted by Heidi

How to Make Tulsi Sipping Vinegar + Spritzer and Shrub Mocktail Recipes

 

A friend called the other day and before I had a chance to finish with “Hello” she asked, “What was that vinegar drink you made last summer? The zingy one with basil and berries?” It was a shrub: a “zingy” drinking vinegar infused with fruit. Apparently, my friend had a craving because berry season is upon us. It was a good reminder—this is a perfect time to start infusing vinegars with herbs and fruit for both refreshing summer drinks and herbal formulations for later in the year. I love the allure of a jar full of drinking vinegar and the potential it represents for delicious, healthful sipping. Infuse berries and we’re also well on our way to a perfect shrub cocktail/mocktail season.

Read More
Posted by Heidi

Clearing the Cognitive Cobwebs: Tips For Improved Focus and Memory

Foggy brain and fuzzy focus affect many of us from time to time and during certain phases of our lives. While many herbs do indeed have a long history of use and modern research to support mental clarity, first it’s important to take a deep look at what’s going on in your life that’s draining your brain power to truly enhance your mental prowess and vitality.

Read More

3 Magic Moon Milk Recipes for Restful Sleep

If drinking warm milk before bed sounds like the kind of advice you might hear from your grandma—well, it turns out grandma knows best again! Drinking heated creamy beverages before bed has been practiced for centuries and has helped people all over the world drift off into a restful sleep. It is also commonly recommended by Ayurvedic practitioners to calm fiery doshas and to help balance the body before bed. Nowadays, these magical cups of comfort are often referred to as moon milks and incorporate herbs and spices to help assist the body in relaxation.

Read More
Posted by Jessicka

Herb-Infused Simple Syrup Recipe Using Dried Herbs

Simple syrups are a fun and surprisingly useful ingredient to keep on hand in your refrigerator, especially when they are infused with your favorite herbs. A lot of people think of mocktails or cocktails when they think of simple syrups, and that’s definitely a good use for them. But they are equally wonderful added to carbonated water, as sweetener in tea, brushed on cakes or cupcakes, drizzled on yogurt or pancakes, and more. They are called “simple” syrup for a reason—if you can boil water, you can make simple syrup. And infusing simple syrups with herbs takes them from being a good ingredient to an amazing one! 

Read More
Posted by Heidi

How to Make Herb-Flavored Alcohol + 3 DIY Herbal Spirit Blends

In the cycle of the year, I find the weeks between Imbolc (February) and Beltane (end of April) to be a precious, restful time in which I finally have space to be creative. We’re past the months of food preserving and winter holidays and not yet at the point when I will jump back into the annual joy/work of my yard, garden, and orchard. This is the only time of the year when I don’t have a dozen other priorities vying for my attention. It is an ideal moment to take a look at my apothecary and think about the herbs that I should use up before they start to get old. As well as making tinctures, glycerine extracts, and infused honey, I find this to be a perfect opportunity to make herb-infused spirits to add to my liquor cabinet for handcrafted cocktails throughout the year. I recently combed back through Mountain Rose Herbs blogs for inspiration, and—as usual—came up with infusion gold. I’m excited to share three reader-tested, herb-infused distilled spirits recipes with you!

Read More
Posted by Heidi

What Is a Cold Infusion + Herbs to Cold Infuse

Infusions are an enjoyable method for savoring and receiving the benefits of herbs. Also referred to simply as tea, an herbal infusion is technically called a tisane and involves steeping fresh or dried herbs in water for a period of time. The water used for an infusion can be hot or cold depending on the herbs you use and the effect you desire, as well as your preference and mood. In this blog, we are going to focus on what a cold infusion is, what herbs work best with this method, and how to make a cold infusion. 

Read More
Posted by Elise

Guide to Green Tea: How to Determine Quality and Flavor Expectations

Green tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world. On average, 600,000 tons are consumed each year! It is predominantly enjoyed in China, Japan, and surrounding countries where many cups are poured throughout the day. Pretty remarkable for one plant, right?

Read More
Posted by Georgina

WELCOME

We offer one of the most thorough selections of certified organic herbs, spices, and botanical products and are commited to responsible sourcing.

Spicy Paloma Cocktail & Mocktail with Herbs

Herbal Academy’s Pirate Paloma puts a spicy twist on the classic Paloma cocktail. Combining warming masala chai spices with refreshing grapefruit and lime, the mixture of spice, citrus, and rum will transport you to a dreamy summer scene.
WRITTEN BY The Herbal Academy- Guest Writer

June 26, 2023

Minty Lemongrass Oxymel (Without Vinegar) & Summer Mocktail Recipe

Oxymels are a tasty way to infuse your favorite herbal allies and also make a superb mocktail base. This minty vinegar-less oxymel is refreshing, uplifting, and an enjoyable way to beat the summer heat!
WRITTEN BY Amanda Crooke ~ Guest Herbalist

June 9, 2023

Elderflower Cordial Made with Fresh or Dried Elderflowers

Elderflower season inspires us to make summer cordials. Dried elderflowers are ideal for making the best cordial for summer coolers and brunch cocktails!
WRITTEN BY Heidi

May 25, 2023

Guide to Black Tea: Why Do Teas Taste So Different + Tips for Choosing the Best Teas

Black tea is the most popular tea in the world. Learn more about what makes your favorite variety so special and explore new options that may become a new favorite!
WRITTEN BY Heidi

May 19, 2023

How to Make Tulsi Sipping Vinegar + Spritzer and Shrub Mocktail Recipes

Berry season is the perfect time to infuse vinegars with adaptogenic holy basil and healthy fruits for summer shrub cocktails and berry spritzers!
WRITTEN BY Heidi

May 14, 2023

Clearing the Cognitive Cobwebs: Tips For Improved Focus and Memory

Our daily actions have the ability to drain our brain power or enhance our mental prowess and vitality. It’s important to take a deep look at the choices we make to bring the changes we wish to see in our lives.

3 Magic Moon Milk Recipes for Restful Sleep

These moon milk recipes combine the old-time remedy of warm milk before bed with healthful herbs and spices for the perfect bedtime beverage!
WRITTEN BY Jessicka

April 11, 2023

Herb-Infused Simple Syrup Recipe Using Dried Herbs

Herb-infused simple syrups are perfect for drizzling on yogurt or pancakes, using in baked goods, and adding to bubbly water, mocktails, and cocktails! They are also a great herbal preparation for children or those who do not wish to have alcohol.
WRITTEN BY Heidi

March 16, 2023

How to Make Herb-Flavored Alcohol + 3 DIY Herbal Spirit Blends

These herb-infused alcohol recipes are delicious, simple to make, and a great way to use up herbs from your apothecary before they get old.
WRITTEN BY Heidi

February 28, 2023

What Is a Cold Infusion + Herbs to Cold Infuse

Infusions are an enjoyable method for savoring and receiving the benefits of herbs. In this blog, we are going to focus on what a cold infusion is, what herbs work best with this method, and how to make it.
WRITTEN BY Elise

February 22, 2023

Guide to Green Tea: How to Determine Quality and Flavor Expectations

Similar to wines, there is a wide array of flavor profiles found in green tea. From the region it is grown, to its harvest season and drying techniques, there are many factors that contribute to the flavor and balance of a tea. This helpful guide will help you choose tea based on your personal preferences.
WRITTEN BY Georgina

February 16, 2023