Botanical Cocktail Recipe
ZENADRYL
In 2019, we invited a few select guests back to Livingston Manor Fly Fishing Club to reconnect with nature and themselves after a stressful New York Fashion Week. One of the ways our friends connected with nature during our NYFW Decompress event, was by drinking botanical cocktails. A very delicious activity that we recommend you try.
During our NYFW Decompress event at Livingston Manor Fly Fishing Club, we learned about using nature to cure our ailments, stress and how to enjoy nature's abundance. Laura Silverman from the Outside Institute didn't only show us how to forage, but she also shared with us a few concoctions made from her harvest.
One of those cocktails was Zenadryl made with Goldenrod (Solidago) which blooms in late summer. The herb is a decongestant, effectively alleviating upper respiratory congestion stemming from allergies, sinusitis or the common cold. According to WebMD, the herb is also used to reduce pain and swelling among other things.
If you like what you read, sip on the soothing libation that is Zenadryl, courtesy of the Outside Institute.
ZENADRYL
makes 1 cocktail
2 ounces fermented goldenrod elixir*
2 ounces golden rum
½ ounce fresh ginger juice
½ teaspoon goldenrod honey
A Chunk of crystallized ginger, for garnish
Combine the wildflower ferment, rum, ginger juice and honey in an ice-filled shaker and shake until well chilled. Pour into a rocks glass and garnish with the crystallized ginger.
*There are different ways of fermenting herbs and though this may not be how Silverman does it, this is the quickest and easiest recipe we found.
INSTRUCTIONS
Pack a jar with as many herbs you can or have.
Cover with boiling water and allow to steep for 20 minutes.
Strain the liquid and mix in sugar or honey.**
Stir until the sugar/honey is completely dissolved and store in the fridge.
**Honey and sugar act as preservatives here which is why this elixir will last up to two months. If you'd like to preserve it longer, you can, of course, freeze it. You can replace the sugar and honey with other sweeteners, but keep in mind your elixir might not last longer than two weeks if not frozen.
