December is like a game of Jenga. I start off strong, ready to accept every holiday invitation and family commitment. But as I attend each holiday dinner, party, and gift exchange, a little piece of me diminishes, until I finally crumple into a pile of exhaustion\u2014otherwise known as Dry January.<\/p>\n
One obvious way to keep it together this season is to be more mindful about drinking, not necessarily by cutting out booze, but by building in time to savor every festive drink. Re-centering yourself with a cup or glass in hand is a universal tradition: The Italians enjoy apertivo hour, Scandinavians make time each day for fika\u2014coffee and cake\u2014and millions of people from England to Japan have rituals around tea, be it a late afternoon cuppa or a ceremony.<\/p>\n
Closer to home, NYC-based Ras\u0101sv\u0101da<\/a> makes zero-proof botanical blends that fit perfectly into this tradition. Its Black Ginger Spirit Restorative is an ideal starting point: Brewed entirely from 15 whole plants and botanicals (and nary a drop of added sugars or preservatives), it\u2019s like a cross between an aromatic brewed tea and a bitter amaro. The bold flavor profile demands your attention, which is just what we need amidst this fleeting holiday season\u2014a little more time to enjoy the present. With that in mind, here are a few inspirational drink recipes to help you slow down and soak in the holiday spirit, so you can make it to 2024 in one, solid piece.<\/p>\n Black ginger has purported detoxifying properties that make it a natural hangover helper, but you can simply avoid one by drinking this zero-proof decoction straight. Along with its star ingredient, this blend includes reishi mushrooms, chicory, cardamom, and burdock root, which impart a natural sweetness and depth. It\u2019s best enjoyed chilled (feel free to shake before serving\u2014it creates a nice foam) or if you\u2019d like, top with a seltzer for some sparkle.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Hot chocolate is the ultimate reward for braving the cold, and a surefire way to coax kids into the kitchen to spend some quality time with you. This recipe blends real chocolate (bitter or semisweet) with cocoa powder for an ultra-rich cup that you can embellish with a little orange peel, star anise, or Bailey\u2019s (just for you, of course).<\/p>\n To make this simple chai, add a little sugar and warm milk steeped in freshly crushed cardamom and Assam tea for an easy, warming pick-me-up\u2014best sipped when catching up with a friend.<\/p>\n1. Ras\u0101sv\u0101da Black Ginger<\/a>
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<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n2. Perfect Hot Chocolate<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n3. Cardamom Chai<\/a>
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