3 Herbal Beverages for Fall

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Fall calls for warming brews. Here are three herbal beverages to try this season.

 
 

Tenzing Momo Chai

When I lived in Seattle in the early 80's, one of my favorite places was the Pike Place Market. One rainy morning I discovered a tiny, magical herb shop beneath a stair well called Tenzing Momo. It was brimming with aromatics, incense and tall bookshelves full of books on plants and magic. I sampled this spicy warming tea and I have been in love with tea ever since. Here is the Tenzing Momo Chai Recipe. Enjoy.

You will need:

  • 12 ounces cassia chips (American cinnamon bark)

  • 6 ounces ginger, cut and sifted

  • 2 ounces whole cloves

  • 2 ounces whole cardamom seeds

  • 3/4 ounce peppercorns

  • 4 cups water

  • 2 tablespoons black tea, such as Ceylon orange pekoe

  • 6 cups whole or low fat milk

  • Sugar or honey to taste

    Mix together cassia chips, ginger, cloves, cardamom seeds and peppercorns to make Chai (Yogi) Tea Mix. Weigh 3 to 5 ounces of tea mix and simmer in the water for 45 minutes, covered.
    Add black tea and steep 5 minutes. Strain, add milk, heat and serve. Add sweeteners as desired.
    Makes three cups tea; when prepared with milk, serves 18, the proportion is 1 part tea to 2 parts milk.

    Credit: Tenzing Momo, Pike Place Market, Seattle

 
 

Blackberry season runs through the end of August. I don’t know about you, but I always end up with a freezer full of blackberries harvested from the summer. Try making a Blackberry Cordial this Fall.

You will need:

  • 1 pint wine vinegar

  • 2 lb. blackberries.

  • Local raw honey

Pour one pint wine vinegar over two pounds ripe blackberries. Let it stand in an earthenware jar for about 7 days, stirring to extract the juices. Strain well at the end of the week and bring the liquid up to a boil along with 1/2 pound of honey. Use an enamel or stainless steel saucepan if possible. Bring to a boil and allow to cool. Bottle, cork and keep in a cool, dark place. Cheers!

 
 

Citrus-infused, Spiced Jameson

The warming spices and alcohol of this Jameson makes for a delicious, warming hot toddy.

You will need:

  • 1-2 oranges

  • 1-2 thumbs of fresh ginger (peeling optional)

  • 5-6 cardamom pods

  • Jameson Irish Whiskey (or alcohol of choice)

Steps:

Use a mortar and pestle or knife to crush the cardamom pods. Peel the oranges and chop the peels into 1/2” pieces. Chop the fresh ginger.

Place all ingredients into a mason jar. Pack them in up to the rim just before the lid.

Pour the Jameson into the mason jar, making sure the ingredients are covered by the liquid.

Allow to sit for 1-2 weeks. Strain and enjoy alone or add boiling water to an ounce of the strained infused Jameson. Add lemon and honey and a cinnamon stick for a delicious and unique hot toddy.