Sleep Shots

Ingredients

• 2.5 cup water
• 1 tbsp dried hibiscus flowers
• 2 tbsp dried valerian root (Use 2–4 tbsp; start with 2 tbsp and use 4 tbsp for a stronger effect. May be replaced with chamomile. Skip if taking sedatives or antidepressants.)
• 1 tbsp dried passionflower (Use 1–2 tbsp; start with 1 tbsp and use 2 tbsp for a stronger effect.)
• 2 orange zest (Peel from 2 oranges; use zest only and avoid the white pith.)
• 3 green cardamom pods (Crushed.)
• 1 inch fresh ginger (Sliced.)
• 8 black peppercorns
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1.5 cup pomegranate juice or tart cherry juice (Choose one.)
• 0.5 tsp lemon juice (Use the juice of 1 lemon, or use ½ tsp citric acid instead for longer refrigerator storage.)
• sea salt (A pinch.)
• 6 dash aromatic bitters (Use 6–8 dashes.)

Steps

1. 1

   Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan. Add the hibiscus, valerian, passionflower, orange zest, crushed cardamom, sliced ginger, and black peppercorns.

2. 2

   Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and simmer the herbal mixture for 5 minutes.

3. 3

   Remove the saucepan from the heat, cover it, and steep for 10 minutes. While the infusion steeps, you may sterilize the bottles in a separate pot of boiling water.

4. 4

   Strain the tea infusion through a fine-mesh strainer, removing all herbs and spices.

5. 5

   Stir the maple syrup, pomegranate or tart cherry juice, sea salt, bitters, and either lemon juice or citric acid into the strained warm infusion.

6. 6

   Pour the warm liquid into glass bottles, filling them close to the top. Seal the bottles airtight and refrigerate.

7. 7

   To serve, pour the chilled shots over ice with a garnish, or top them with seltzer for a spritz.

Notes

Keep sealed and refrigerated for up to 4–5 days when using lemon juice, or 7–10 days when using citric acid. For the longest refrigerator life, sterilize the bottles for 10 minutes in boiling water. Test a small amount first if you are new to these herbs. Avoid passionflower, hibiscus, and valerian during pregnancy or nursing unless cleared by a doctor. Alcohol is not recommended with valerian because it can disrupt sleep cycles. The source transcript mentions making a batch on Sundays and says it lasts about two weeks, but the written storage guidance specifies 4–5 days with lemon juice or 7–10 days with citric acid; follow the written storage guidance.

Nutrition per serving

• drink
• alcohol-free
• non-alcoholic
• herbal
• make-ahead
• refrigerated
• sleep ritual
• spritz