How to Make a DIY Botanical Spirit (featured in Well+Good)

If you’re interested in experimenting with the botanical trend on your own, Robinett says herbal tinctures are a great place to start. You can mix them with your alcohol of choice or just a bit of low-sugar sparkling water. “Lemon balm is one that can give you a happy feeling,” she says. “It’s like your rosé!” On a date? Add a few drops of damiana, which she says is considered a euphoria-inducing plant, relaxant, and an aphrodisiac.

If you’re looking to relax, one of her all-time faves is skullcap, which she says is a nervine, meaning it works with the nervous system. “Rose is a relaxant too, but that more relaxes the muscles, not the mind,” she explains. You also shouldn’t underestimate the relaxing effects of lavender and chamomile. “They tend to get dismissed as basic because they’re many people’s first teas or essential oils, but they are both really powerful plants,” Robinett says. As you can see, the possibilities are seemingly endless.

Besides making cocktail time feel slightly healthier, the popularity of botanicals is making the flavors in your glass a lot more exciting. As Brandon says, “There are 50,000 edible plants in the world, which is a hell of a lot of choice.” Better get sipping.

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This excerpt from a piece that is available in full from Well+Good, here.