A mocktail of trying new things and sparking new conversations. Recipes included!

Hi PoYO Community! Sheena here,

Today I have for you a light, tangy, and dare I say healthy mocktail for you to sip on this summer.  

The past few months have been hectic, and I can’t help but notice how dependent our society has become on the stimulating effects of alcohol as a way to loosen up, reduce social inhibitions, and in some cases ease anxiety.  Alcohol is classified as a Central Nervous System depressant, meaning that it slows down brain functioning and neural activity.

 I personally have found it challenging to think of  “fun activities” that don’t involve a cocktail, happy hour, or casual drink as a way of social interaction.  Ever since the start of the pandemic I have seen shopping carts full of various alcoholic beverages, and when casually asking people why they had so much the answers were always the same, “Oh you know, the essentials,” “This is what’s getting us through the lockdown”.  It was then I realized how normalized casual drinking was ingrained in societies daily interactions.  Drinks at family gatherings, mimosas for brunch (or anytime really ;P) happy hour, drinks with dinner, wine tasting with friends, beach and brews. 

The list goes on, but it took me by surprise when I was trying to come up with “fun” things to do without alcohol since, 4 months ago my boyfriend had suffered a case of acute pancreatitis.  The main trigger of pancreatitis, the inflammation of the pancreas, is alcohol.  I found myself bummed out that he couldn’t drink and realized how many activities I do involved alcohol, and how often my interactions with friends and family involved casually drinking.  I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with alcohol and casual drinks with friends, but what I was present to was my relationship with alcohol and the role it played out in my life.

Which is why I came up with this fun mocktail in place of a cocktail to keep you healthy, grounded, and present.  Best of all you can drink it for one or make a pitcher to enjoy with the whole family.  This drink has Nasturtiums, an edible flower with vibrant orange petals.  It can be found growing wild in many homes and pathways around California.  I strongly suggest you seek the advice of a professional before consuming any edible flowers! The safest and most efficient way to locate edible flowers is at your local nursery or Farmers market (I personally enjoy ACE Hardware).  In this cocktail you can easily  substitute a variety of edible flowers such as pansies, chive blossom, pea flowers, etc.  Thyme is a woodsy herb that is earthy, a tad sweet, and slightly minty.  Ginger adds acidity, brightness, and anti-inflammatory and an antibacterial health boost. Best of all this fun mocktail is low in sugar and still has a fun bubbly side thanks to flavored sparkling water.

Brownie points if you take a walk around your neighborhood and source some of the ingredients yourself by either phoning a friend, or approaching a neighbor in your community that you don’t know to ask for a clipping of their thyme, oranges, or nasturtium flowers to share.  The trade off could be a delicious mocktail, and a new friendship on your daily walks.

The next time you find yourself craving a drink, without judgement, do a quick self inquiry and ask yourself “What role does alcohol play in my life?” I encourage you to disrupt the drift and enjoy a fabulous mocktail at your next hang out.

Recipe

Thyme Sugar

2 Tbsp white sugar (or any healthy sugar alternative coconut sugar, raw sugar, etc)

3-4 Fresh thyme sprigs (save some for garnish)

1/2 an orange zested

Cocktail

1 1/2 C Tangerine juice (or fresh-squeezed orange juice)

 1/2 -1 tsp Honey (or agave, maple syrup, stevia extract, etc)

1/2 in. Fresh ginger, peeled and grated

Ice (optional)

4  Nasturtium flowers, petals and more for garnish

1 bottle of Trader Joe's sparkling cranberry clementine or sparkling grapefruit water

Optional

 Orange slices or orange peel twist (charred, for an extra WOW factor and smokey flavor) 

Combine sugar, thyme leaves, and orange zest together.  Wet the rim of your glass with an orange slice and dip into the flavored sugar to coat.

In a glass, mason jar or cocktail shaker combine, tangerine juice, honey,  grated ginger, and nasturtium flower petals and ice if using.  Pour mixture into rimmed sugar glass (with or without ice) and top with sparkling water of your choice. Mix, taste, and adjust to your liking.  Garnish beverage with your choice of fresh thyme sprig, nasturtium flower, and/or charred orange slice or orange zest twist.