HERB CORNER
Zero Proof Herbalism... ...continued from page 53
called a hydrosol. These collected distillates are botanical- infused waters (but not really waters, they are collected steam), and they are often served as a zero-proof spirit. (One of the most recognized inter - national brands of distillates is a company called Seedlip.) They make a really interesting drink when simply added to a soda water. Hydro- sols can even be made at home on a stove, and can be applied in many ways, from cosmetic uses to drinks to cleansing and clearing energies. Hydrosols are incredible. Bitters Angostura or otherwise, bitters are an herbal preparation known as a tincture , where botanicals are extracted into alcohol. Generally, the herbs chosen are bitter roots and spices, and not aromatic or nutritive botanicals. And yes, bitters can be made in a zero proof or alcohol-free way. The preparation used to make bitters zero proof is called glycerite . It uses food-grade vegetable glycerin to extract the properties from the bitter roots and warming spices as opposed to alcohol. Glycerin extracts are often used to help administer herbal support to children as they are alcohol free and sweet in taste. There is a company in the zero-proof world making zero proof bitters called All The Bitter. Check out their website for classic zero proof bitters preparations geared to - wards mocktails and bar craft (https://allthebitter.com/). And if you are curious about alcohol free herbal medicine preparation, look for glycerites from your favorite herbal medicine makers. Bitters and these other herbal preparations can be used as a base for zero proof drinks because they are ingested; and drinking them becomes the basis for interesting nuanced mocktails. So, if you are going to be alcohol free at a social event, of course it’s nice to have something delicious to enjoy rather than just juice or soda. Most peo - ple find themselves sipping drinks that tend to be more complex and layered, taking their time to savor smaller sips rather than slurping them down. Botanicals add that depth to beverages. At my apothecary, which I opened in November 2020, it is pretty common for me to have customers who are making their own craft syrups, shrubs and bitters! They are discovering the fun variety of in- gredients, from roots and flowers to spices and barks. The herbalist apothecary can fuel your creative process. In 2021, I started using the term ‘Zero Proof Herbalism’ in my shop and on my social media to be a bit cheeky, and it has kind of stuck with me. But in all seriousness, herbalists can whip up some of the best zero proof drinks without much thought. It’s just what we do! At the most basic level, if we create an herbal syrup, for example, and add some carbonated water… well, that’s a soda, and sodas are considered a be - ginner’s mocktail. If we create a lavender and pink peppercorn syrup — see the sidebar for my recipe — mix in a little lemonade, and add a few squirts of bitters… well, that’s a sophisticated drink! If you wanted to, you could even add your favorite spirit to that lavender pink pep- percorn creation. There is no judgment here — I would add vodka! Preventing the Bitters’ End While herbalists are happy to see many more people using plant materials and taking on herbal projects, it is also the job of herbalists to be good stewards of the plants and planet. With the explosion of zero proof spirits over the last few years, it is important to understand herbs can be a finite resource and overharvested to the point of extinc - tion. Many of the roots for bitters in particular have been overharvest - ed in the wild and are now scarce and expensive. Let us remember to find the balance in the plants we are using. Look for local and cultivated sources whenever possible. Regional herb farms are a fantastic resource. Check out UNITED PLANT SAVERS
really exciting herbal cocktails or mocktails at home, it’s helpful to un - derstand some of this vocabulary of botanical and zero proof bar craft more in depth. Shrubs Shrubs are a very zero proof preparation used in drinks. A shrub is a concentrated syrup made from fruit or vegetables, vinegar and sugar traditionally mixed with water to create a refreshing drink that is simultaneously sweet & tart. Savory shrubs might be made from fresh fennel bulbs or even beets. The name ‘shrub’ is derived from the Arabic word sharab , meaning to drink! In the 19 th century the shrubs were often spiked with brandy and rum. There are many wonderful books out there today that can show you how to craft shrubs recipes. Oxymels Oxymels are a favorite among herbalists, too, and my personal fa- vorite zero proof herbal mocktail preparation. They are generally used by herbalists to extract highly nutritive herbs into vinegar and honey. Once an oxymel is made, if you simply add a soda water to it, you have a delightful drink. The name ‘oxymel’ comes from the Greek words oxys (acid) and meli (honey), aptly reflecting its sweet and sour taste. Hydrosols Hydrosols are a unique herbal product made from the distillation of botanicals. Botanicals are distilled in a classical way often using a copper still. Sometimes essential oils are created on one end; when the steam collected on the other end is then used, the distillation is
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54—PATHWAYS—Winter 24-25
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