Dandelion mixology: Crafting herbal cocktails and mocktails

• Dandelions are packed with vitamins, minerals and gut-friendly prebiotic fiber that can support optimal digestion and overall health.
• Dandelion leaves, roots and flowers can be used in teas, salads, syrups and alcoholic beverages, offering both flavor and health benefits.
• Traditionally used to relieve bloating and indigestion, dandelion acts as a gentle detoxifier and digestion booster.
• From herbal cordials to cocktails and homemade wine, dandelions can add unique flavor and nutrition to drinks.
• Dandelions are far more than just weeds. They’re a free, nutrient-rich superfood with endless culinary and wellness uses.

Think of dandelions, and you might picture a pesky weed taking over your lawn. But this bright yellow flower (and its fluffy white seed head) is actually a nutritional powerhouse that is surprisingly loaded with vitamins, minerals and gut-friendly compounds that can support your health in surprising ways.

Today, innovative chefs and mixologists are even using it to craft refreshing herbal cocktails and wellness drinks.

Read on to find out why dandelions deserve to be included in your diet and how you can turn them into delicious herbal elixirs. (h/t to Health.com)

Dandelions are a nutritional goldmine

Dandelion leaves, roots and flowers are packed with essential and health-supporting plant nutrients.

Here are some of the vitamins and beneficial plant chemicals found in dandelions:

• Beta-carotene – Beta-carotene is a potent antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage and supports optimal eye health.
• B vitamins – B vitamins are known for supporting healthy energy levels.
• Inulin (prebiotic fiber) – Inulin can feed good gut bacteria, supporting healthy digestion and your overall well-being.
• Iron and calcium – Just one cup of chopped dandelion greens provides nearly 20 percent of your daily needs for both calcium and iron.

But that’s not all. Dandelions have also been used to relieve bloating and indigestion.

Best of all? The whole plant is edible. (Related: Forager favorites: How to make dandelion tea, salad and jelly.)

Dandelion recipes for health and flavor

Dandelion can be used to make flavorful cordial and other beverages.

Here are some dandelion recipes to try:

Dandelion and burdock cordial recipe

Dandelion and burdock is a flavorful pairing that can be used to make cordial. Use it to make a refreshing summer spritzer or a healthy cocktail.

Serve dandelion and burdock cordial with fizzy water or tonic for a refreshing drink.

Ingredients: 

• 3 Tablespoons dandelion root (fresh or dry)
• 3 Tablespoons burdock root (fresh or dry)
• 6cm fresh ginger root, roughly chopped
• 3 star anise, crushed
• 800 ml water
• 250 ml honey (or 300g dark brown sugar)

Instructions: 

1. Add the dandelion and burdock roots, ginger and star anise to a large pan with the water and bring it up to a boil.
2. Simmer the mixture over medium-low heat for around 20 minutes until the roots have infused and the water is colored.
3. Strain the liquid through a cloth or a very fine sieve. Add the root mixture back into the pan, then add honey. Carefully add more honey depending on how sweet you want the cordial to be because it will be diluted when used.
4. Continue heating until the honey or sugar has dissolved and the liquid thickens into a syrupy cordial.
5. Pour the cordial into a clean jar. Store it in the fridge. Note that the more sugar you’ve added, the longer it will last.
6. Serve the cordial with fizzy water or tonic. It can also be used to give a natural flavor boost to cocktails.

“Dandy lion” cocktail

Did you know that dandelion also has a place in salads and cocktails? Its spicy taste and floral scent add a unique bite to a mixture.

This cocktail recipe pairs dandelion with gin and pilsner. If you don’t know how to make one, you can buy a dandelion root tincture instead.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. Gin
• .25 oz. Maraschino liqueur
• .5 oz. Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla
• .25 oz. Dandelion root tincture
• .75 oz. Dandelion syrup
• 4 oz. Pilsner (You can adjust the amount of the beer to taste.)
• Tangelo peel or edible flowers (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Fill a mixing tin with all ingredients except for the pilsner and garnish. Shake with ice.
2. Gently strain the dandelion concoction into a pilsner glass. Top with the beer.
3. Garnish with a fresh tangelo peel or edible flowers before serving.

Pink dandelion wine

This pink dandelion wine recipe makes about three 4/5-quart (“fifth”) wine bottles.

Ingredients:

• 2 Quarts of dandelion petals (stem and green collar of each flower removed)
• 2 Quarts of boiling water
• 3 Lemons
• 3 1/2 cups sugar
• 10 oz package of frozen sweetened red raspberries
• 1 Yeast cake

Tools:

• Cheesecloth
• 1 One-gallon jar (stoneware jar works best)
• 3 One-quart wine bottles with screw-on caps

Instructions:

1. Pick the dandelions. Cut off the stems and green collars, and rinse the dandelions in cool water.
2. Store the petals in the one-gallon jar, then carefully pour the boiling water over the petals. Let the mixture stand overnight.
3. The next day, strain the liquid through a cheesecloth. Squeeze the flowers to remove all the juice.
4. Combine the dandelion juice with the strained lemon juice.
5. Add the dandelion and lemon juice to the frozen raspberries and sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil, then gently simmer for 20 minutes.
6. While waiting, clean the jar with soapy water. Dry it with a clean towel.
7. Pour the dandelion mixture back into the jar and let it cool until lukewarm.
8. Add the yeast. Stir until the yeast dissolves in the liquid then cover the jar. Set aside and let the mixture ferment for 10 days, with an airlock if possible, or until the hissing stops.
9. Use two layers of cheesecloth to strain the liquid into a cider jug. Set it aside and let it stand for three days.
10. Strain the dandelion liquid again and pour it into quart wine bottles with screw-on caps. Do not tighten the caps. Let the wine stand for 24 hours to prevent an explosion.
11. Seal the bottles and set them aside once more for at least six months.
12. When the wine is ready, serve it ice cold.

Foraging and safety tips

If you plan to forage dandelions for consumption, avoid sprayed lawns. Always use organic or wild-grown plants.

Harvest young leaves for salads because older leaves are bitter. Wash dandelions thoroughly to remove dirt and insects.

Note that if you haven’t tried dandelions before, side effects are rare but may include mild stomach upset if overconsumed.

Far from just a “weed,” dandelions are a versatile, nutrient-dense superfood hiding in plain sight. Whether you brew them into tea, mix them into cocktails or saute the greens, this humble plant offers a delicious boost to your health.

Where to find lab-verified Organic Dandelion Leaf and Root Liquid Extract

The Health Ranger Store is here to help you experience the full nutritional benefits of dandelion leaves and roots. That’s why we’re proud to introduce our clean, lab-verified Organic Dandelion Leaf and Root Liquid Extract.

Groovy Bee® Organic Dandelion Leaf and Root Liquid Extract is specially formulated to support good overall health. This premium product contains extracts derived from organic dandelion roots and leaves using organic sugar cane alcohol, distilled water and organic vegetable glycerin to help preserve the beneficial nutrients and retain maximum potency.

Groovy Bee® Organic Dandelion Leaf and Root Liquid Extract is non-GMO, certified organic and thoroughly lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.

Check out Food.news for more delicious recipes featuring other herbs and superfoods. You can also visit Health Ranger Store and Brighteon Store for more clean ingredients for your cooking needs.

Click on this link to learn how to make Green Goddess Smoothie.

Watch this clip about Organic Dandelion Leaf and Root Extract and why it’s a great addition to your daily routine and emergency kit.

This video is from the Health Ranger Store channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

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A comprehensive guide to DANDELIONS, an ancient herbal medicine and superfood.

Fun and creative ways to incorporate beet juice into your daily routine for energy support.

Sources include:

Health.com

LizEarleWellbeing.com

MuskokaStyle.com

Almanac.com

HealthRangerStore.com 1

HealthRangerStore.com 2

Brighteon.com