Cherry Hibiscus Tea Mocktail
Enjoy vibrance of the Shirley Temples you remember from childhood, elevated with real wellness benefits!
Remember childhood allure of a Shirley Temple? For me, the idea of that “fancy” soda wholly captivated, as much as I felt wistful for the beloved dimples and curls that gleamed blonde even in black and white. I don’t think I ever actually watched a Shirley Temple movie, but the old clips I caught from my grandmother set me daydreaming.
Bright, bubbly, and delicious, the classic Shirley Temple carries a sweet nostalgia. It’s also actually really, really sweet. While a strong sugary taste coupled with a fancy drink is naturally reveled in when we’re children, by adulthood it tends to feel like overload. Mocktail trends today offer infinite options to dazzle the taste buds without being saccarhine, however, and they’re so easy and beautiful to make. With just a few simple, clean ingredients you can enjoy that cheery cherry allure free from refined sugar or any processed junk. Better yet, with Hibiscus tea (I love Organic India’s Tulsi Hibiscus) you can add in some lovely wellness benefits, too.
Although unconfirmed, the most popular story of the Shirley Temple’s origin is that it was created by a Beverly Hills bartender who wanted to offer its namesake a fun, beautiful beverage the young actress would enjoy. Regardless of the true beginnings, cherry flavor and tantalizing red color are key. In place of the traditional grenadine syrup, we use antioxidant and nutrient-rich tart cherry juice. Not only does unsweetened, tart cherry juice infuse a visually appealing, deep red color, it’s associated with numerous health benefits, including decreased muscle soreness, improved sleep quality, and more.
Lightly floral in flavor, Tulsi Hibiscus tea melds marvelously with cherry flavor. Crafted with organic whole herbs and botanicals, Organic India’s naturally caffeine-free blend further enhances the tantalizing color while offering the stress-relieving potency of “Queen of Herbs” Tulsi. Topped with sparkling water and a garnish of lime, the results are tangy with delicately sweet notes. I think this hits a perfect balance, but feel free to stir in a little maple syrup to taste, or swap in a ginger kombucha or light ginger ale—such as stevia-sweetened—in place of the sparkling water. However you choose to prepare, accept the invitation to take a moment for delight!
Use code HAPPYAPPLE for 15% off Organic India!
Cherry Hibiscus Mocktail
Lightly floral in flavor, our Hibiscus tea melds marvelously with tart cherry juice in this truly cheery, vibrant mocktail.
Ingredients
- ¾ Cup Hibiscus Tea, brewed and chilled (I like using 2 ORGANIC INDIA Tulsi Hibiscus Tea bags)
- ¼ Cup tart cherry juice
- ½ Cup sparkling water, more to taste
- To serve: Ice, mint sprigs, lemon or lime slices or wedges, 1 or 2 fresh cherries, whole with stems or pitted and halved
Instructions
- Prior to making, steep 2 Hibiscus tea bags in ¾ Cup boiled water for 5 to 10 minutes and chill.
- When ready to prepare and serve, fill a glass (approximately16-ounce) with ice. Add 1/4 cup tart cherry juice and the ¾ cup brewed, chilled tea. Top with sparkling water. Garnish with cherries and lime.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
32Fat
0 gSat. Fat
0 gCarbs
8 gFiber
0 gNet carbs
8 gSugar
6 gProtein
0 gSodium
37 mgCholesterol
0 mg