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| Peppermint Tea |
I'm now on the search for alternative coffees and teas, and these sound so good! This collection offers ten delicious and healthy hot drink alternatives to caffeinated coffee and teas, focusing on natural ingredients, vibrant flavors, and wellness benefits. Each recipe is caffeine-free, soy-free, and crafted with wholesome ingredients.
Depending on any medications or other issues, you should always check with your nutritionist, if you have one, or your Doctor. When trying new things, I always research if something I eat or take will interfere with my medication or be a problem for my health. I'm the one you see in the aisle of the grocery store reading EVERY label. It takes me a long time to grocery shop....just sayin! I also make my own organic nut milk when not using dairy milk in a recipe. I sometimes do half and half.
If searching for caffeine-free, I make sure no other ingredients are added that aren't natural and healthy. Do your own research! And yes, I still drink caffeinated coffee, but just cutting back on it. I also have a lemon balm plant in my yard, but I found out through research that I could not personally drink the tea, but I kept the plant because it smelled good, and it helps repel some pests, especially mosquitoes!
Cuisine Type: International Cuisines
Dietary Preferences: Healthy, All-Natural, Caffeine-Free, Soy-Free
Estimated Nutritional Information: (Note: These are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredient brands and quantities used.)
General Notes:
* Sweeteners: Adjust the sweetness to your preference. Use natural sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, agave nectar, or stevia.
* Milk Alternatives: Use your favorite dairy-free milk alternative, such as almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk, or cashew milk. Ensure it is soy-free. If you love milk and cream, then use it instead!
* Water Quality: Use filtered water for the best flavor.
* Herbs & Spices: Use fresh or dried herbs and spices. If using dried, reduce the quantity by half.
* Serving Size: Each recipe yields approximately 1 serving (8-10 oz).
Recipe 1: Golden Turmeric Latte
* Cuisine: Indian-inspired
* Estimated Nutritional Information (per serving): Calories: 80-120, Protein: 2-4g, Carbs: 10-15g, Fat: 4-8g
Ingredients:
* 1 cup (8 oz) unsweetened almond milk (or other soy-free milk alternative)
* 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
* ½ teaspoon ground ginger
* ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
* Pinch of black pepper (essential for turmeric absorption)
* ½ teaspoon honey or maple syrup (or to taste)
* Optional: Pinch of cardamom
Instructions:
1. In a small saucepan, whisk together almond milk, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, and black pepper.
2. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is warm and slightly frothy (about 3-5 minutes). Do not boil.
3. Remove from heat and stir in honey or maple syrup to taste.
4. Pour into a mug and sprinkle with a pinch of cardamom (optional).
5. Serving Suggestion: Enjoy warm, especially in the morning or evening.
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Recipe 2: Spiced Rooibos Tea Latte
* Cuisine: South African-inspired
* Estimated Nutritional Information (per serving): Calories: 60-100, Protein: 1-3g, Carbs: 8-12g, Fat: 3-7g
Ingredients:
* 1 cup (8 oz) brewed rooibos tea (strong brew) (research rooibos tea to see if you personally can drink it), if not, substitute it with maybe another type of green tea of your choosing that is compatible with your body. If not sure, check with a nutritionist or your Doctor!
* ½ cup unsweetened oat milk (or other soy-free milk alternative)
* ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
* Pinch of ground cloves
* Pinch of ground nutmeg
* ½ teaspoon maple syrup or agave nectar (or to taste)
Instructions:
1. Brew rooibos tea stronger than usual (use 2 teabags or 2 teaspoons of loose-leaf tea). Let it steep for 5-7 minutes.
2. While the tea is brewing, gently heat the oat milk in a small saucepan until warm (do not boil).
3. Whisk in cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
4. Strain the rooibos tea into a mug.
5. Pour the spiced oat milk over the tea.
6. Stir in maple syrup or agave nectar to taste.
7. Serving Suggestion: Perfect for a cozy afternoon or evening drink.
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Recipe 3: Herbal Infusion with Lemon & Ginger
* Cuisine: Global/Wellness
* Estimated Nutritional Information (per serving): Calories: 10-20, Protein: 0g, Carbs: 2-5g, Fat: 0g
Ingredients:
* 1 cup (8 oz) hot water
* 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
* 2 slices of lemon
* 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
* 1 teaspoon honey or agave nectar (or to taste)
* Optional: 2-3 fresh mint leaves
Instructions:
1. Place ginger slices and lemon slices in a mug.
2. Pour hot water over the ginger and lemon.
3. Let steep for 5-7 minutes.
4. Remove ginger and lemon slices.
5. Stir in lemon juice and honey or agave nectar to taste.
6. Add mint leaves (optional).
7. Serving Suggestion: Excellent for soothing a sore throat or aiding digestion.
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Recipe 4: Apple Cider Spice
* Cuisine: American/Autumnal
* Estimated Nutritional Information (per serving): Calories: 70-100, Protein: 0g, Carbs: 18-25g, Fat: 0g
Ingredients:
* 1 cup (8 oz) unsweetened apple cider
* 1 cinnamon stick
* 2 whole cloves
* 1 star anise
* 1 orange peel (optional)
* ½ teaspoon maple syrup (or to taste)
Instructions:
1. In a small saucepan, combine apple cider, cinnamon stick, cloves, star anise, and orange peel (if using).
2. Heat over medium heat until simmering.
3. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes to allow the spices to infuse.
4. Remove from heat and strain the cider into a mug.
5. Stir in maple syrup to taste.
6. Serving Suggestion: A warm and comforting drink for cool weather.
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Recipe 5: Dandelion Root "Coffee"
* Cuisine: Herbal/Wellness
* Estimated Nutritional Information (per serving): Calories: 5-10, Protein: 0g, Carbs: 1-2g, Fat: 0g
Ingredients:
* 1 cup (8 oz) water
* 1 tablespoon roasted dandelion root (available at health food stores)
* Optional: Dairy-free milk alternative and sweetener of choice
Instructions:
1. In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil.
2. Add roasted dandelion root.
3. Reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
4. Strain the liquid into a mug.
5. Add dairy-free milk alternative and sweetener to taste (optional).
6. Serving Suggestion: A caffeine-free alternative to coffee with a slightly bitter, earthy flavor.
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Recipe 6: Vanilla Almond "Coffee"
* Cuisine: American/European
* Estimated Nutritional Information (per serving): Calories: 60-80, Protein: 1-2g, Carbs: 8-10g, Fat: 3-5g
Ingredients:
* 1 cup (8 oz) unsweetened almond milk
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
* 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup or honey (or to taste)
Instructions:
1. Heat almond milk in a saucepan over medium heat until warm, but not boiling.
2. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract, almond extract, and maple syrup or honey.
3. Whisk vigorously until slightly frothy.
4. Pour into a mug and enjoy.
5. Serving Suggestion: A delicious and creamy alternative to coffee, perfect for a morning or afternoon treat.
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Recipe 7: Hot Chocolate with a Kick (Chili & Cinnamon)
* Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
* Estimated Nutritional Information (per serving): Calories: 100-150, Protein: 2-4g, Carbs: 15-20g, Fat: 5-10g
Ingredients:
* 1 cup (8 oz) unsweetened coconut milk (or other soy-free milk alternative)
* 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
* ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
* Pinch of chili powder (adjust to taste)
* ½ teaspoon maple syrup or agave nectar (or to taste)
Instructions:
1. In a small saucepan, whisk together coconut milk, cocoa powder, cinnamon, and chili powder.
2. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is warm and smooth (about 3-5 minutes). Do not boil.
3. Remove from heat and stir in maple syrup or agave nectar to taste.
4. Pour into a mug.
5. Serving Suggestion: A rich and warming drink with a hint of spice.
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Recipe 8: Peppermint Tea with Honey
* Cuisine: Global/Wellness
* Estimated Nutritional Information (per serving): Calories: 20-30, Protein: 0g, Carbs: 5-8g, Fat: 0g
Ingredients:
* 1 cup (8 oz) hot water
* 1 peppermint tea bag (or 1 teaspoon dried peppermint leaves) I LOVE PEPPERMINT
* 1 teaspoon honey (or to taste)
Instructions:
1. Pour hot water over the peppermint tea bag (or dried peppermint leaves) in a mug.
2. Let steep for 5-7 minutes.
3. Remove the tea bag (or strain the leaves).
4. Stir in honey to taste.
5. Serving Suggestion: A refreshing and soothing drink, especially good for digestion.
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Recipe 9: Lavender Chamomile Latte
* Cuisine: European/Wellness
* Estimated Nutritional Information (per serving): Calories: 60-100, Protein: 1-3g, Carbs: 8-12g, Fat: 3-7g
Ingredients:
* 1 cup (8 oz) brewed chamomile tea (strong brew)
* ½ cup unsweetened cashew milk (or other soy-free milk alternative)
* ¼ teaspoon dried lavender buds (culinary grade)
* ½ teaspoon honey or maple syrup (or to taste)
Instructions:
1. Brew chamomile tea stronger than usual (use 2 teabags or 2 teaspoons of loose-leaf tea). Let it steep for 5-7 minutes.
2. While the tea is brewing, gently heat the cashew milk in a small saucepan until warm (do not boil).
3. Add dried lavender buds to the warm milk and let steep for 2-3 minutes.
4. Strain the lavender-infused cashew milk.
5. Strain the chamomile tea into a mug.
6. Pour the lavender cashew milk over the tea.
7. Stir in honey or maple syrup to taste.
8. Serving Suggestion: Perfect for relaxation and promoting sleep.
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Recipe 10: Roasted Chicory Root Latte
* Cuisine: American South/Herbal
* Estimated Nutritional Information (per serving): Calories: 60-80, Protein: 1-2g, Carbs: 8-10g, Fat: 3-5g
Ingredients:
* 1 cup (8 oz) water
* 1 tablespoon roasted chicory root granules
* 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (or other soy-free milk alternative)
* 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup or honey (or to taste)
Instructions:
1. In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil.
2. Add roasted chicory root granules.
3. Reduce heat and simmer for 5-7 minutes.
4. Strain the chicory root "coffee" into a mug.
5. Heat the almond milk separately until warm.
6. Pour the warm almond milk into the chicory root "coffee".
7. Stir in maple syrup or honey to taste.
8. Serving Suggestion: A caffeine-free coffee alternative with a slightly bitter, roasted flavor. Enjoy with a splash of almond milk for a creamy latte.
Enjoy exploring these delicious and healthy hot drink alternatives! They are perfect for any time of day and offer a wonderful way to nourish your body and mind.
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