Well-Being: The Kosmic Kitchen's Lemon Balm & Aloe Mojito Mocktail
An herbal summer drink recipe from Sarah Kate of The Kosmic Kitchen
I met Sarah Kate of The Kosmic Kitchen years ago at the Spirit Weaver’s Gathering when I took a workshop she was leading on medicinal ghee making. I loved the workshop so much and learned so much about herbs and medicinal plants from Sarah Kate. Over the years, I’ve loved following her on Instagram and getting her newsletter in my inbox. She’s a wealth of information and inspiration. I love seeing snippets of her beautiful life in Northern California - always filled with flowers, yummy foods, kitchens and cozy cabin interiors.
From Sarah Kate:
I don’t know about you, but this summer seems hotter than usual. Here in Northern California, we’ve been close to hitting 100°F more days than I’d like to be.
My personal regime to try and stay cool has consisted of cold outdoor showers, escaping to the beach, and sipping on refreshing drinks, like this Lemon Balm & Aloe Mojito Mocktail. I’m also leaning on the herbs in my gardens to add some bitter and cooling properties to everyday meals and beverages.
Right now, the garden is bursting with fresh mint, chamomile, nasturtiums, and lots of edible flowers like calendula and bachelor buttons.
Lemon balm is another staple in my kitchen as soon as spring and summer rolls around. It’s lemony scent and flavor make it a favorite for adults and kids alike. Plus—it’s packed with vitamins and minerals. You’ll find it to be a cooling and refreshing ally on hot days when you want to take the edge off and need something refreshing.
Because this member of the mint family tends to be abundant, it’s ideal to harvest frequently and dry to use later. I find that vigorous plants like this, can be a sweet reminder of the abundance that’s available to you inherently in nature and throughout the summer season.
Especially, when you’re overwhelmed, overworked, or just plain exhausted, lemon balm can bring in a feeling of lightness and calm, so you can have space to unwind. It doesn’t necessarily make you sleepy, it just gently reminds the nervous system that it doesn’t need to be on guard, which can be exhausting in and of itself.
Most widely used for its ability to soothe and calm the digestive and nervous systems, lemon balm is a powerful yet gentle nervine you can add to teas, sauces, pesto, or this quick and easy dressing. On top of all of that, its antiviral properties make it wonderful to add to cold and flu formulas while helping to support the body’s natural defenses.
While we most often think of protecting ourselves from colds and flu during the cooler month, during the transition from spring to summer, you’ll find some of those around you coming down with a summer bug of some sort, so don’t underestimate the power of enjoying herbs as a preventative measure.
There’s lots of ways to enjoy the benefits of lemon balm like having a cup of lemon balm tea to dispel gas or cramping after a heavy meal, or to simply enhance digestion. You can also make a cold infusion with lemon balm by putting 3-4 tablespoons of the dried leaves in a quart jar, filling it with water, closing the lid, and popping in the fridge overnight. Strain in the morning and sip on your chilled lemon balm tea throughout the day.
For this mocktail, I wanted to infuse the digestive and nervous system properties of lemon balm with the anti-inflammatory and gut supportive benefits of aloe leaf (Aloe barbadensis). If you haven’t worked much with aloe, specifically the inner filet, it can really be a wonderful ally especially during the warmer months.
Most widely known as a soothing plant for sunburns, it’s one of the primary plants used in Ayurveda to support healthy digestive fire, ease inflammation, and support the menstrual cycle.
You can find aloe leaf inner filet at most health food stores or by simply scraping the gooey inside of a fresh leaf. While its flavor is on the bitter side, it’s nice to mix it with stronger or more pleasant flavors to disguise it when enjoying it as a beverage. Please note, it’s best to avoid using aloe with kids or if pregnant.
Okay, let’s get into the recipe and I hope this becomes a fun drink you’ll make again and again!
Lemon Balm & Aloe Mojito Mocktail
[Serves 2]
1 handful fresh mint leaves
1 handful fresh lemon balm leaves
2 teaspoons organic cane sugar, plus more if you like it sweeter
4 limes
2 tablespoons aloe juice, inner filet
Crushed ice
Soda water, ginger beer, or another sparkling beverage of choice
Edible flowers to serve, optional
Start by muddling the fresh mint and lemon balm leaves in a quart-sized mason jar with the sugar.
Add the lime juice along with the aloe juice and fill halfway with ice.
Pour in your favorite sparkling beverage, close the jar with a tight fitting lid and shake to chill and combine the flavors.
Pour between two glasses with ice and top with edible flowers.
FAQ’s
What are the best places to buy medicinal herbs?
First, always make sure you’re getting organic herbs as their quality will be the highest. Oregon’s Wild Harvest has an array of bulk herbs and herbal products from their farm, so you know where everything is grown and produced. Zach Woods Herb Farm is a smaller scale farm in Vermont with incredible herbs as well. For tea bags, Traditional Medicinals brand is available at most large retailers across the country. If you’re looking to grow your own herbs to use, Strictly Medicinal Seeds has an extensive catalog of medicinal herbs.
What can I swap for the lemon balm if I can’t find it?
So many fragrant summer herbs would work in this recipe. Herbs like lemon verbena, fennel fronds, sweet basil, tulsi, and chamomile are all good options here. You can always just stick with the mint and keep it classic.
Can you recommend any herb books for beginners?
The first herb book I was given was Rosemary Gladstar's Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health and it’s still one I refer to today. I can't tell you how many people I've gotten this book for. Whether you're deep into herbalism or not, this is a great guide to have in any home for many common ailments. It's full of recipes, plant profiles and weaves together remedies for all stages of life. Rosemary Gladstar has a way of making the plants come to life while sharing the stories of her herbal teachers who shaped so much of Western Herbalism today.
And of course I have to give a shout out to my cookbook, The Kosmic Kitchen Cookbook. With over 75 nourishing recipes and herbal remedies, this cookbook and seasonal guide to wellness pays homage to the ancient wisdom of the elements. With simple spices and healing herbs, you‘ll feel confident creating remedies that support mental clarity, enhanced digestion, a relaxed nervous system, and promote an overall radiance.