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

Directions

  1. In a 16 oz glass, add ice and syrup, saccharum, or shrub.
  2. Top with sparkling water.
  3. Garnish with whatever strikes your fancy!
  4. 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

  1. 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

  1. Soak strawberry ends in ACV for a few days. Strain, keeping the ACV/strawberry infusion.

 

 

 

Share This

Share this with your friends!