San Diego Sips: Cool down this summer while sipping herb-infused cocktails
Transform your hot weather drink lineup with Higher Vibration shrubs and teas
Using shrubs is one of my favorite ways to expand the flavor profiles of cocktail recipes, and one of my favorite places to source them is from my friends at Higher Vibration Tonics.
Co-owned by University Heights residents Angelina Keselburg and Lauren Lucek, the brand specializes in creative non-alcoholic beverages like herbal teas and shrubs made from locally sourced ingredients.
Their unique tisanes and shrubs — also known as "drinking vinegars” — cater to the growing demand for innovative and health-conscious drink options. Their mission is to dispel the stereotype that non-alcoholic cocktails are merely "juice in a cup" by offering sophisticated and flavorful alternatives.
For this week’s San Diego Sips recipes, I made two refreshing beverages using Higher Vibration shrubs.
In the non-alcoholic Gemini’s Sageberry Dream, I blend my favorite shrub — the blackberry sage — with the Higher Vibration’s Gemini tea, lemon juice, agave nectar and Fever Tree club soda.
In lieu of alcohol, the cocktail uses chilled tea from the Herbal Teas of the Zodiac line, created by Keselburg to blend the principles of astrology and herbalism. The Gemini is a tisane blend made with a mixture of holy basil, peppermint skullcap, sage, lavender, chrysanthemum and eleuthero, also known as Siberian ginseng.
For the Bittersweet Symphony, I shake Higher Vibration grapefruit rosemary shrub with Pacific Coast Spirits Blanco Agave Spirit, mezcal, honey and lime juice. The Blanco Agave is an Oceanside-distilled liquor akin to tequila, made with 100% Blue Weber Agave sourced from Jalisco, Mexico.
Whether you're looking to enjoy a complex, non-alcoholic drink or a light, herb-infused cocktail, these recipes are sure to impress.
Gemini’s Sageberry Dream
2 oz. Higher Vibration Tonics Gemini Tea, chilled*
1 oz. Higher Vibration Tonics Blackberry Sage Shrub
1/2 oz. Lemon Juice, fresh squeezed
3/4 oz. Agave Nectar
Fever Tree Club Soda
Oregano, garnish
Edible flower, garnish
Pour chilled Gemini tea, blackberry sage shrub, lemon juice and agave nectar in a cocktail shaker. Add a scoop of ice and shake for 10 seconds, then strain into a rocks glass over ice.
Top with Fever Tree club soda and stir to combine. Garnish with fresh oregano and an edible flower to serve.
Note: To make tea, steep 2 tablespoons of Gemini tea in 1 cup hot water for 10 minutes, then strain. Discard tea leaves and store tea in the refrigerator for up to one week until ready to use.
Grapefruits of Wrath
1 1/2 oz. Pacific Coast Spirits Blanco Agave Spirit
1/2 oz. Del Maguey Vida Mezcal
1 oz. Higher Vibration Tonics Grapefruit Rosemary Shrub
1/2 oz. Honey
1/2 oz. Lime Juice, fresh squeezed
Grapefruit slice (dried or fresh), garnish
Rosemary sprig, garnish
Pour Agave Blanco, mezcal, grapefruit Rosemary Shrub, honey and lime juice into a cocktail shaker. Add a scoop of ice, then shake for 10 seconds.
Strain into a rocks glass over ice, then garnish with grapefruit slice and rosemary sprig to serve.
Coming Tuesday: A review of the Savor San Diego culinary kit from Callie Chef Travis Swikard.
These beverages look amazing! I've recently gotten into shrubs as I found a local company selling them at the Little Italy farmers market called Garden Party and I've LOVED them - the strawberry rhubarb rosemary was my fave! I definitely have to check out Higher Vibration Tonics soon! I especially love a Zodiac themed tea so I esp have to get my hands on some of those too! Thanks for sharing!