Low-Waste Libations
Doing good tastes good. At least, it can when you’re drinking some low-waste libations that use ingredients that might otherwise head to the compost or even the *gasp* trash. 30-40% of food in America is wasted. Not only does this significantly contribute to climate change issues, it also takes a toll on the health and well-being of ourselves and our society. While a delicious beverage can’t remedy that, it is a small and joyful step in the direction of a more sustainable world. Plus, it tastes 30-40% better than any other drink!
One-Size-Fits-All Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 oz Sustainability Syrup, Oleo Saccharum, or Strawberry-Stem Shrub
- Sparkling water
- Ice
- Optional fun add-ins: squeeze of lemon or lime; herbs to garnish; berries, 1 oz liquor of choice
Directions
- In a 16 oz glass, add ice and syrup, saccharum, or shrub.
- Top with sparkling water.
- Garnish with whatever strikes your fancy!
- Cheers!
Sustainability Syrup (Recipe credit: Punch Drink)
Ingredients
- A handful of herb stems – mint, thyme, parsley, or basil work particularly well
- Snap peas
- Simple syrup (a 1:1 ratio of water and sugar boiled together, stirred, and then cooled until the sugar has dissolved)
Directions
- Blend all ingredients together and strain into a jar/container using a muslin cloth.
Oleo Saccharum (Recipe credit: Food52)
Oleo Saccharum is a sweet and zesty syrup that lets your citrus peels shine. Instead of throwing away those used-up lemons, give them a new life in this delightful mixer.
Ingredients
- 1 cup citrus peels, stripped with a vegetable peeler (you can use a mix of whatever you have… oranges and lemons are common!)
- 3/4 cup sugar
Directions
- Combine citrus peels and sugar in a bowl, measuring cup, or container. Mash vigorously with a muddler or spoon.
- Leave for at least 5 hours and up to 24.
- Strain out the citrus peels through a sieve. Really press hard, to extract the oil, and store it in the fridge for up to a couple of weeks.
Strawberry Stem Shrub
Been nibbling on all the glorious strawberries you’ve picked up from local farms and farmers? Use the leftover stems in this simple shrub.
Ingredients
- Strawberry stems
- Apple cider vinegar (ACV)
Directions
- Soak strawberry ends in ACV for a few days. Strain, keeping the ACV/strawberry infusion.