When summer inches towards autumn, I love to cherish the hot afternoons with cool drinks like a spritzer. Besides tasting good, spritzers can be a delightful way to carve out a bit of self care for yourself. By choosing flavorings that not only taste good but support the immune system or ease stress, you're creating drinks that nourish both body and soul. Try one of these self care spritzer recipes and see for yourself!
Drink Your Medicine
Spritzers are wonderfully malleable things. Mix a little white wine, some club soda, and favorite flavorings and you have sparkling drink that lifts the spirits and relaxes any muscles aching from all those summery activities you're cramming in before the cold arrives. If alcohol isn't your thing, skip the wine entirely and top up your spritzers with sparkling mineral water or soda water instead.
Make an assortment of healing cordials with the herbs, fruits, and spices that your body responds to best, then add them to your spritzer.
With cold weather looming, ward off flus and colds with an Elderberry Spritzer. Not only is the color gorgeous, but it tastes divine, too, and the high levels of Vitamin C are potent defenders against flu symptoms, sinus headaches, and sore throats.
Topple bad breath and soothe sensitive teeth and gums with an Orange Spritzer. Make a sprightly orange cordial with lots of orange zest and orange juice and gentle sweetening from real maple syrup, and you'll have a fragrant burst of flavor for your spritzer that can help your mouth feel better and add even more Vitamin C to your diet.
If you struggle with a wobbly tummy, try a Peppermint Spritzer. Cooling peppermint is soothing both to the stomach and the nerves, so when you're feeling out of sorts, pour a tall glass of this refreshing brew, put your feet up, and let your cares take a back burner for a while.
As the warm days of summer slip away, our kitchens become havens for hearty, spicier dishes like curry and chili that can sometimes upset a stomach used to the lighter foods of hot days. A Ginger Spritzer is an excellent accompaniment to such fare, for it calms churning insides without detracting from the delicious food.
Getting Creative with Spritzers
Experimenting with spritzers is half the fun. Add fresh fruit juices for an extra boost of flavor and vitamins. Try pear juice with ginger cordial or apple juice with peppermint cordial. Or turn the juices themselves into cordials, and simmer them with spices to make even more nourishing drinks. Try elderberries simmered with star anise, plum juice with cinnamon sticks, or cherry juice with cloves.
You can also have fun mixing and matching herbs. Double up on stomach soothing goodness by combining licorice root and peppermint, or calm ruffled nerves with chamomile and lemon balm.
Herbal and spiced cordials are easy to make. Steep the ingredients in hot water (or juice) like you would a very strong tea, then strain and add sugar, maple syrup, or honey to make a cordial sweetened to your preferences. Keep sealed in the fridge.
Elderberry Spritzer
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dried elderberries
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup maple dust
- white wine
- sparkling mineral water or club soda
Directions:
Place elderberries and water in saucepan over medium high heat. Bring to boil and simmer, covered, for 10-15 minutes until liquid reduces and thickens slightly. Remove from heat and let cool. Stir in maple dust to taste. Bottle, seal, and store in fridge until ready to use.
For each Spritzer use:
- 1/2 cup chilled white wine
- 1/4 cup chilled sparkling mineral water
- 1/4 cup chilled elderberry cordial
Orange Spritzer
Ingredients:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1-2 teaspoons orange zest
- Maple dust to taste
Directions:
In small saucepan over medium-high heat, bring water, orange juice, and orange zest to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool 2-3 minutes. Stir in maple dust to taste. Let cool completely. Bottle, seal, and store in fridge until ready to use.
For each Spritzer use:
- 1/2 cup chilled white wine
- 1/4 cup chilled sparkling mineral water
- 1/4 cup chilled orange cordial
Peppermint Spritzer
Ingredients:
In small saucepan over medium-high heat, bring water to boil. Remove from heat and stir in tea. Cover and let sit until cool. Strain then stir in maple dust to taste. Bottle, seal, and store in fridge until ready to use.
For each Spritzer use:
- 2 cups water
- 2-3 teaspoons mint tea
- Maple dust, to taste
In small saucepan over medium-high heat, bring water to boil. Remove from heat and stir in tea. Cover and let sit until cool. Strain then stir in maple dust to taste. Bottle, seal, and store in fridge until ready to use.
For each Spritzer use:
- 1/2 cup chilled white wine
- 1/4 cup chilled sparkling mineral water
- 1/4 cup chilled peppermint cordial
