Drinks to Calm the Nerves

Let’s face it: life is nuts sometimes, and we all need a little something to keep us from spiraling into a messy vortex. A drink now and then can definitely calm our nerves, although alcohol can, of course, make some people more jittery (especially if, by drink, you mean the whole bottle of vodka…).  

Personally, I love to settle down on the couch after super busy days and read a good historical novel with one of my favourite calming cocktails. It definitely helps me survive the week without losing my mind!

What makes these cocktails so comforting, you may ask? Well, a few not-so-secret ingredients do the trick: 

1.    CBD Products: 

Yes, I know CBD (cannabidiol) is all the rage right now, and no, I do not think it can cure all human ailments. First up, I should just add CBD is not intoxicating—we will leave that to the alcohol. Also, be wary of what CBD products you purchase. They are not legal in some states, while in others the quality varies widely, as does the taste (some are stronger than others). Nevertheless, I do find that CBD helps me calm down (whether this is a placebo effect or not, who knows…). One of my favourite CBD products to use in cocktails is GTS Living Foods’ CBD sparkling waters (the rose & blood orange one is just AMAZING with gin).However, it is important to note that CBD can be harmful in some cases, so always check if this ingredient is for you (for more information on CBD and cocktail safety see: https://www.cocktailsafe.org/marijuana-cannabis-cbd-thc-safety-in-cocktails.html)

2.    Teas:

I love tea, in cocktails and out of cocktails. They not only add flavour but can also have a calming effect, and can be used in multiple ways: think infusions, as a mixer or in a syrup. As a South African, my favourite herbal tea is rooibos (I love Equal Exchange’s organic vanilla rooibos tea), although I am always partial to a spicy lemon ginger tea in a cocktail as well, and I really like infusing vodka or gin with chamomile. 

3.    Dark Chocolate: 

Whether in a liqueur, as a syrup or as a single ingredient in a cocktail, dark chocolate is THE BOMB. Several studies indicate that dark chocolate (in moderation…) can have a calming effect, and can even protect against heart disease. I personally love the organic dark chocolate liqueur from Thatcher’s and the fair-trade cocoa liqueur from FAIR, and I am a big fan of cacao in cocktails (I usually blend the powder in as it can get a little lumpy).

So what are some my favourite calming cocktails?

1. Mind & Fullness

   Muddle 1 slice ginger, add 1 oz lime juice, 1 oz calorie-free syrup (I use a 1:1 ratio of water and monkfruit sweetener by Lakanto), 2 oz organic blanco tequila (I love the blanco tequila from Greenbar Distillery and from 123 Tequila), ½ oz blood orange juice, ½ serving of CBD tincture (I use one from Charlotte’s Web) and shake with ice. Serve over ice in a chilled cocktail glass, add a splash of club soda and garnish with blood orange. 

   160 calories, 1.5 g sugar, 5 g fat, gluten-free, vegan, paleo and keto-friendly. For a non-alcoholic version replace the vodka with Seedlip Grove 42.

2. Happily Ever After 

   Muddle 4 raspberries, add 1 oz chocolate liqueur (I use the cacao liqueur by FAIR.), 1 oz vodka (I like the organic vodka by Prairie Organic Spirits, but you can use any other organic vodka brands…there are so many!) 1 oz of organic half & half (I use the vegan cashew milk half & half by the Forager Project), 1 oz almond milk (I make my own using this recipe) and shake with ice. Serve in a chilled martini glass and garnish with dried rose buds.

   210 calories, 7g sugar, 2.5g fat, non-gluten, can be vegan-friendly. 

3. Golden Kiss

   Muddle 2 slices of ginger, add ¾ oz of yuzu juice, ¼ oz lemon juice, 1 oz organic sake, 1 oz of lemon vodka (I love Greenbar Distillery’s TRU lemon vodka) and ¾ oz vanilla rooibos & honey syrup (dissolve 1 cup of honey in 1 cup of vanilla rooibos tea and chill—but remember to measure well as the volume of water and honey are different) and shake with ice. Serve in a chilled coupe, spritz yuzu bitters on top if desired (I like using the yuzu bitters by Miracle Mile Bitters Co., or you can make you own using The Silk Road Spice Merchant’s recipe) and garnish with edible flowers. 

   165 calories, 6.5 g sugar, 0 g fat, non-gluten, paleo and keto-friendly.

Happily Ever After

 *All nutritional values are estimates only, and can vary according to ingredients used.