Great Summer Drinks...or how to pretend it's still summer :)

Here are a few delicious options for some fun drinks to make with all those herbs you have been dying to use:

*Summer Punch*

(1)1/2 gallon lemonade or limeade 

(2)1 large can pineapple juice 

(3) About 3 large handfuls of pineapple sage, lemon balm, lemon verbena, or mint leaves 

(4) 2 bottles of champagne or ginger ale 

(5) 2 lemons, sliced thin 

(6) 1 lime, sliced thin 

(7) Pineapple chunks, optional 

(8) Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours, use chilled beverages 

(9) When ready to serve, squeeze out the herbs and remove them. Pour in ginger ale or champagne just before serving.

*Iced Lemon Balm Tea*

(1) 8 cups of water 

(2) 15 orange pekoe tea bags 

(3) 3 (5 inch long) sprigs fresh lemon balm 

(4) 1 cup sugar 

(5) Juice of 1 lemon 

(6) Ice 

(7) In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil. Remove from heat and add tea bags and lemon balm. Cover and set aside for 5 minutes. Remove tea bags and lemon balm and discard. Stir in sugar until dissolved. Add lemon juice. Chill for at least 1 hour. To serve, pour lemon tea over a tall glass of ice.

*Sweet Harvest Tea*

(1) ¼ cup loosely packed fresh lemon balm 

(2) ¼ loosely packed fresh peppermint leaves 

(3) 1 tsp. fresh or dried lavender blossoms 

(4) 3 inch slice of orange peel 

(5) 2 cups water 

(6) Place herbs and orange peel in a large teapot. In a small saucepan, heat water to almost boiling and pour over herbs in teapot. Cover teapot and let mixture steep for 10 minutes. Pour through a strainer to serve.

Lemon Verbena

Name:
*Lemon Verbena (Aloysia triphylla)


Description:
*a perennial shrub/bush
*best in zones 8-11
*popular for tea makers for its' lemon flavor

Parts Used:
*leaves and flowers, both fresh or dried

Position:
*full sun to partial shade (the colder your climate/zone, the more sun you should give it)
*well-draining soil: prefers a rich soil, but it will tolerate poor soil if you give it enough water and fish emulsion fertilizer

Propagation:
*propagates best by semi-ripe tip cuttings in late spring. Use a rooting hormone and extra heat in order to germinate it, also you must put the cuttings under lights for 14-20 hours per day while it produces roots
*you can also propagate by layerings

Maintenance:
*this is a tropical plant, but if you live somewhere with cool winters but no or little frost, you can keep it out in the winter and simply heavily mulch it
*if you live in an area with heavy frost or snow, you should grow it in a pot and bring it in under protection during the winter/frost season
*trim it in order for it to keep a good shape
*this plant is prone to issues with whitefly and spider mite if grown in greenhouse conditions

Harvesting:
*leaves can be harvested at any time to use fresh
*you can dry the leaves at any time by hanging upside down in a dark, well-ventilated area. Store in an airtight container
*the best taste is when the flowers are beginning to bloom

Medicinal:
*a calming and excellent remedy for digestive issues, flatulence, and colic
*a calming remedy for insomnia and other sleep issues
*good for nerves and anxiety
*good for fevers
*ideal tea to drink after dinner due to its' digestion aid and relaxant properties

Cooking:
*the leaves are best when used fresh and young
*use sparingly or the flavor will overwhelm the food
*this is a common ingredient in herbal teas
*gives a lemon flavor to fruit salads, fruit dishes, desserts, and drinks
*can be a substitute for lemon grass in Asian recipes

For more information, see: references and warnings