Damiana, a shrub with aphrodisiac and moodlifting effects,

is mixed with a blend of sweet, spice, and citrus for an invigorating nonalcoholic elixir.

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Dietary Notes: Vegan, Gluten free, Lactose free, Kosher

Estimated Time: 60 minutes

Feeds: 4-6

 

Ingredients:

6 tsp dried damiana leaf

1 cup fresh ginger, chopped

1/2 cup sugar or honey

2 lemons

8 oz cider (sparkling water can be substituted)

fresh rosemary for garnish

water

 

Supplies: blender, mesh strainer, 1-2 pots, cutting board, knife, two wide-mouth mason jars, 2-4 glasses glasses for serving

 

Instructions:

Boil 4 cups of water

Remove from heat and let sit for 30-60 seconds

Add dried damiana leaf and leave to infuse for 20 minutes

 

While damiana tea infuses, boil 1 cup of water.

     *if you have only one pot, you can boil 5 cups in the first step and reserve 1 cup for this.

Chop ginger into pinky-size pieces. You do not need to peel.

Puree ginger, sugar and hot water in blender until sugar dissolves.

* if you prefer to not use sugar, substitute honey and melt it in the boiled cup of water before adding to blender.

Pour through mesh strainer into mason jar or other storage and refrigerate. 

Discard ginger pulp left in strainer.

 

Cut lemons into halves or quarters to squeeze, remove seeds with knife

 

Strain damiana tea into mason jar after 20 min.

(Can do 10/15 min for lighter brew or up to 1 hour for stronger.)

 

Pour over ice or also good warm! Can be kept refrigerated for up to a week.

 

When ready to drink, pour the following in each glass: 

4.5 oz damiana tea

1.5 oz apple cider to each (or sparkling water for a simpler drink)

Juice from 1/2 lemon

Top with 1 oz ginger syrup, to taste.

Stir and garnish with rosemary sprig.

 

Serve and enjoy!

* Warning: Damiana can also be a bit of a truth serum. It's a heart-opener like cacao, so things may come out! Usually this is quite fun. Sometimes feisty.

 

Notes: Damiana leaf can be ordered online or found at shops selling herbs/teas/crystals.

For bonus points, light the rosemary with a match so it smokes.