In Full Bloom: How to Add a Botanical Touch to Everyday Drinks
People have tapped into the vast potential of plants since the dawn of time, harnessing their various parts to enhance flavors, heal ailments, and elevate sensory experiences.
In ancient Greece, Theophrastus (371-286 B.C.), often regarded as the father of botany, significantly advanced the study of plants. His in-depth exploration of the botanical world revealed how plants and their medicinal properties could be woven into everyday life, laying the groundwork for their systematic use throughout antiquity, the Middle Ages, and beyond.
Building on these foundations, later civilizations continued to explore the diverse applications of botanicals, which include everything from herbs and spices to fungi, plant stems, flowers, roots, bark and extracts. For example, the flowering plant woad, used widely as a natural blue dye before the arrival of indigo from Asia, held great significance for the Celts and Druids. Meanwhile, the now-rare herb costmary was once a popular flavoring for ale and used as a bedding perfume. The mandrake historically served as a potent sedative and hallucinogen.
Over the past century, industrial, mass-produced flavorings, dyes, and fragrances have become commonplace, displacing many plant-based ingredients. However, botanicals are becoming perennial favorites once again. Driven by a growing emphasis on health-conscious lifestyles, botanicals – i.e., plants and plant parts with therapeutic properties, distinct flavors and aromas (or all three) – are in the midst of a renaissance.
The rapidly growing food trend covers everything from zesty flavored seltzers and restorative herbal teas to baked goods, compound butter, savory sauces, and cocktails. If you’re keen to get back to your roots and embrace the botanical trend at home, start by jazzing up your everyday beverages. To give you some inspiration, here are a few simple ways to add a touch of nature to your next refreshment.
From garden to teacup
Perfect for spring’s cooler, rainier days, brew up a warming floral tea with petals from your own bespoke blend. Start with the botanicals you like; lavender offers a soothing aroma and calming properties, while rose petals add a lovely floral touch. If using fresh petals, dry them first (pro tip: use your air fryer to speed up this step). Begin with about one teaspoon of dried petals per cup of hot water, adjusting to your preference. Steep in water just below boiling to preserve the delicate petals, then strain and enjoy.
Hydrate like a champion
Jazz up your next glass of water by adding slices of fruit and herbs like basil or mint. Better-tasting water means you’re more likely to drink more and maximize the benefits of staying well-hydrated. Some refreshing flavor combinations that we’ll be stirring up this spring? Strawberries, lemon and basil; mango, raspberries, and a hunk of ginger; and pomegranate seeds paired with mint.
Effervescent elixirs
It’s surprisingly easy to create your own naturally flavored seltzer. All you need is a can of club soda, tonic, sparkling water, or an at-home carbonation device like a SodaStream, plus the botanicals of your choice. Try using rosemary and cinnamon for an unexpected take on sparkling water. We also love combinations like hibiscus and rose, dandelion ginger, and peach and cardamom. Or keep it classic by combining cucumber slices with tonic for a more herbaceous tipple. Add a splash of botanical-rich gin for a cheeky twist to take your refreshment from day to night.
Craft your next botanical beverage using BOMSHBEE’s minimalist drinkware, inspired by the art of savoring every moment and every sip.