Big Heart Tea Co.'s Chamomile Mint organic herbal tea hit the shelves January 2021, and barista Molly Flynn has showcased this organic chamomile, lemongrass, and spearmint tea in the best way possible - with a vegan, AF take on a flip cocktail. Check out this refreshing non-alcoholic mocktail recipe and the mixologist behind the drink!
Hiya! My name is Molly and I’m really passionate about non-alcoholic beverages. My instagram is @mollymakesdrinks. I make an array of tasty non-alcoholic cocktails and beverages and give reviews on n/a brands - and I have a lot of fun doing it!
I’ve been sober for nearly five years and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. There are many reasons people choose not to drink and tons of valid ways to make that happen, including indulging in non-alcoholic beverages. By choosing not to drink (for today, for Dry January, or for much longer), I can stay present, avoid hangovers, feel confident in my decisions, and enjoy a host of health benefits.
Now, I use my instagram to connect other people who choose not to drink with great beverage alternatives, like the Soothing Chamomile Mint Flip.
What were you doing in the service industry before COVID-19, and how has that changed?
I have been a barista for many, many years. I am really lucky that I have an employer at Broadcast Coffee who saw my interests and skills that could be put to use in other ways during COVID-19. They promoted me to Project Coordinator, which I have the privilege of doing from home, and I’m having a blast!
Thoughts on this recipe
I love that you can truly feel good about drinking the Soothing Chamomile Mint Flip anytime, including before bed as a tasty, alcohol-free nightcap. The tea, of course, is so healthy for us, and so are all the other ingredients - from the apple cider vinegar’s blood regulation properties to the aquafaba’s low calories to the lemon juice’s cache of Vitamin C, and more!
What’s more, by choosing not to include alcohol in this cocktail, I’m really going the health-conscious extra mile to keep my mind and body happy.
What’s exciting to you about working with this Big Heart ingredient? And/or, what do you love about working with tea in general?
Big Heart Tea’s Chamomile Mint tea has a soothing effect on me. I have chronic anxiety and Chamomile Mint helps me stay grounded and calm when I need it most. And I feel great drinking it because I know that chamomile, lemongrass, and mint are super healthy! This herbal tea in particular is fresh and bright, with a just-right all-natural sweetness.
You know what else is great about the Big Heart Tea Chamomile Mint? It’s delicious no matter how you serve it. At its core, it is a phenomenal tea to drink on its own. It’s also stellar in a cocktail, a tea latte, or a homemade soda.
In making this recipe, I tried a lot of combinations to bring something magical to the table and I had a hard time choosing just one recipe because everything Big Heart Tea Co. touches is delightful!
As a bonus, the Chamomile Mint Simple Syrup can be used in other recipes. My favorite is to put it in my oatmeal, which is such a calming way to start my day.
Note: “Flip” cocktails are typically made with egg whites, but I substituted in two tablespoons of aquafaba. Aquafaba is a yummy, all-natural vegan alternative which is made from the liquid in a can of chickpeas. It’s inexpensive, low in calories, and great for the planet and animals. Aquafaba can be obtained either in powdered form or just by draining the “liquid gold” right out of a can of chickpeas. Neat!
the recipe
Serving: 1 x 5oz c/mocktail
Ingredients:
- For the Chamomile Mint Simple Syrup:
- 2 x Chamomile Mint tea sachets
- 1 cup sugar or your favorite sugar replacement, such as xylitol
- 1 cup boiling water
- For the Soothing Chamomile Mint Flip:
- 2 x Chamomile Mint tea sachets
- 3 oz hot water
- ½ oz Chamomile Mint Simple Syrup
- ½ oz lemon juice
- ¼ oz apple cider vinegar
- 1 serving of aquafaba
- 2-3 mint leaves
- Garnish: mint sprig and/or lemon wedge
- Cocktail shaker or a jar with a lid
- Muddler or spoon
- Jigger or other measuring shot glass
- Cocktail strainer
- Small mesh strainer
Steps
- To make a tea concentrate: Steep two (2) Chamomile Mint tea sachets in just 3 ounces of 185 degree water. Steep for 2 minutes, remove tea bags, and allow the concentrate to cool to room temperature.
- To make the Chamomile Mint Simple Syrup: In a bowl or heat proof jar, combine 1 cup of sugar or sugar alternative with 1 cup of boiling water and the remaining two (2) Chamomile Mint tea sachets. Allow the tea to steep for 2 minutes, remove the tea bags, then stir until the sugar dissolves. Allow to cool to room temperature.
- To make the Soothing Chamomile Mint Flip: Add the mint leaves and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker or jar and gently smoosh the mint a bit with the muddler or the back of a spoon. The mint doesn’t have to be totally shredded; just muddled enough to release some of those amazing minty aromatics.
- To the shaker add ½ oz Chamomile Mint Simple Syrup, plus the apple cider vinegar and aquafaba.
- Put the top on your shaker or jar and vigorously “dry shake” (shake without any ice) the mixture for as long as you can, or as long as 5 minutes if you want a good workout.
- Add lots of ice to the mixture and shake again for just about 30 seconds.
- Using both the cocktail strainer and the small mesh strainer, double strain the cocktail into your favorite small glass, being sure to get as much foam as possible. (I used my cute Nick & Nora glass because it makes me feel fancy)
- Garnish the foamy cocktail with a small sprig of mint and/or lemon wedge.
make this. get soothed.
