Wellbeing

Botanical Winter Warmers

TINCTURE’s Favourite Adaptogenic Hot Chocolate Recipes

The secret to TINCTURE's brilliance (and the brilliance it brings to the surfaces in your home) is really not such a secret. It’s the power of botanicals, pure and simple. Our ingredients are all-natural, derived from monastic herbal remedies because we believe that nature rarely gets it wrong. It seems as though for almost every need, there is a plant. Not just in terms of household cleaning (take a look at the wonders from the plant kingdom we use here), but in every sense. For homeostasis within the body. For a renewed sense of calm. For fighting winter bugs and more. That’s why, when it comes to getting cosy with a delicious winter warmer drink, we’re so over your average gingerbread latte and sugar-loaded hot chocolates – our attentions have turned to healing in a whole new way. Not only soothing your mind, body and soul by enjoying a lovely cup of something on a frosty day, but including some of the world’s finest adaptogens to give your hot tipple a delicious kick and take its nurturing ability to new heights.

Here, we’ve put together a couple of our favourite adaptogenic winter warmer recipes to help you on your way to happier and healthier months ahead. But before we get on to that, you may be wondering what an adaptogen is….

What is an adaptogen?

We love multi-tasking botanicals that help to bring things back into alignment. Practically every ingredient you’ll find across the TINCTURE range is there for a variety of reasons, from anti-bacterial and anti-septic properties, to anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory too. Some of them, such as rosemary, are even adaptogens.

Adaptogens are a very special group of herbs and mushrooms that adapt their function depending on what the body needs, be that physical, chemical or biological. Pretty incredible, right?

They bring the body back into balance, moderating stress response, lowering inflammation and even enhancing mental performance. What’s more, they can possess opposing qualities, such as being stimulating and relaxing at the same time. Whatever your body needs when the adaptogen gets involved.

As nature lovers, it's hard not the be fanatical about plants like these. And as such, it’s such a thrill to find a way to introduce some of the most impressive adaptogens to you and your winter wellness routine. 

Stress-busting Festive Hot Chocolate

Before we go any further, let's get one thing straight: yes, these winter warmer recipes are good for you, but that doesn’t make them any less decadent. If you are a hot chocolate fiend, this recipe won’t disappoint. It’s delicious and it will send you into an unrivalled state of bliss.

Not only will the rich chocolate in this recipe boost your happy hormones and reduce cortisol, but the addition of adaptogenic reishi mushroom will help to realign your whole being and give a delightfully rich, earthy tone to your drink. We’ve gone for dairy free milk, as cows milk can be inflammatory.

Ingredients:

Makes 2 mugs

  • 300ml of your favourite dairy free milk (we love a creamy blend of oat and coconut)
  • 70ml oat cream
  • 50g chopped dark chocolate (or 2tbsp raw cacao powder)
  • ¼ tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp Reishi mushroom powder
  • pinch of salt (sea salt or Himalayan is best)
  • maple syrup to taste

For an optional festive twist: add a drop of peppermint oil, 1 tsp of orange zest and/or ½ tsp of cinnamon. And there’s no reason not to top off with a little vegan whipped cream too!

Method:

Gently heat your choice of milk and cream in a pan. Do not allow to boil.

Drop in the chopped chocolate and stir continuously until melted.

Add the vanilla, salt, Reishi mushroom powder, syrup and any other festive additions.

Pour into a mug. Pour yourself into a sofa. Relax. Luxuriate. Enjoy.

Mulled Apple with CBD and Cinnamon

A hot spiced apple drink never fails to put smiles on faces when the weather turns colder and neither does a drop of CBD! Add the two together and you’re in for happy days. CBD is famous for creating balance, increasing energy and improving cognitive function while helping you to release tension.

Ingredients:

Makes 2 mugs

  • 1 and a half cups of fresh apple juice
  • half cup of pear juice
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • pinch of nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp vanilla
  • 1-2 drops CBD oil

Method:

Add all ingredients except for the CBD oil to a pan and heat. Simmer for 5 minutes.

Add CBD in at the end so as not to cook it. Drink up and unwind.