Booze Free Tea Infused Halloween Elixirs

Throughout history, different cultures consumed special drinks, potions, and beverage elixirs during ceremonies, rituals, and social gatherings with reasons believing to cure ailments, lift the spirits, and even produce immortality. Many of these concoctions derive from the earth in the form of plants, plant roots, and herbs.

There is certainly an art to creating these organically-rooted beverages. The kava root can be traced back to several origins, but one of the widely accepted theories on kava takes us back to the early 18^th Century when the Europeans first made contact with the Pacific Islands. Kava was typically prepared by grinding, chewing or pounding, and then, adding the product to cold water for consumption. Today, kava still plays an important part in the Polynesian culture as a social beverage, medicine for various illnesses, and as a soothing relaxant in islands such as Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa.

Another group, the Indo-Iranians, who historically inhabited Central Asia, grounded the plant called soma into a liquid. This plant was known to have hallucinogenic properties and was consumed in rituals to grant immortality. These notable drinks weaved their way into cultural traditions because of their believed powers and effects.

About 5,000 years ago, Chinese Emperor Shen Nung was credited for the discovery of tea. Emperor Shen Nung loved to boil his water. The legend goes that one windy night, dried tea leaves from a nearby bush flew into the emperor’s cup of boiling water. After drinking the brewed leaves, the emperor felt rejuvenated and soon discovered the stimulating beneficial effects of the leaves. This is one of the earliest records of tea’s introduction to the world. After water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage worldwide.

Beverages have become a big part of society because drinks are traditionally served whenever people come together. These drinks create a tone and contribute to the environment of the gathering. In honor of Fair Trade month, here are some Halloween-inspired drinking elixirs that will make your Halloween celebration festive using Art of Tea’s teas and tisanes.

Bloody Orange Cider using Italian Blood Orange

You Will Need:

• 3 tsp. Art of Tea’s Italian Blood Orange
• 16 oz. Boiled Water
• ¼ cup of Grated Orange Peel
• 1 ½ cup of Apple Juice
• 3 pinches of Cinnamon
• Cinnamon Sticks

Directions:

Steep the Italian Blood Orange tea in the boiling water for 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the leaves. Add the apple juice. Sprinkle in the orange peel. Throw in 3 pinches of cinnamon, and mix well. Add cinnamon sticks for an extra kick of cinnamon.

Witch’s Brew on Ice or Hot using Pumpkin Pie

You Will Need:

• 3 tsp. Art of Tea’s Pumpkin Pie
• 16 oz. Boiled Water
• Handful of Marshmallows
• 2 Glasses Filled Halfway with Ice Cubes or Empty Black Mugs to look like a witch’s cauldron

Directions:

Steep the Pumpkin Pie in the boiling water for 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the leaves from the water, and pour the water into the glasses evenly if you prefer a refreshing cool down. Otherwise, pour into the empty mugs to enjoy hot. Stir in a handful of marshmallows for a creamy finish.

Casper’s Cocktail using Cinnamon Fig

You Will Need:

• 16 oz. Steeped  Art of Tea’s Cinnamon Fig
• 6 oz. Milk
• 2 oz. Bourbon
• 1 oz. Amaretto (almond-flavored liqueur)
• 4 Cinnamon Sticks
• 24 oz. Pitcher Halfway Filled with Ice Cubes
• 2 Cocktail Glasses

Directions:

Pour milk into the pitcher of steeped Cinnamon Fig tea. Add and stir in the Bourbon and Amaretto. Mix well, and pour into two cocktail glasses. For a finishing touch, add two cinnamon sticks.

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