Weekend Toast: Chamomile drink recipes (with and without booze) that go way beyond tea.

I've been so busy that I haven't had time to visit the farmer's market since it's been back in its spring glory. So last weekend, with a couple of hours to spare, I grabbed a stack of reusable bags and my older son (you know, to help hold the bags) and headed out on what I hope will be the first of many spring and summer market trips. The stalls were full of greens, radishes, rhubarb and more, but, strangely, what caught my son's eye was a tight bunch of little flowers with a familiar smell: Chamomile. Surprised by how intrigued he was to find fresh chamomile, as opposed to the dried kind he's only seen in tea bags, I bought some so that we could experiment. I made a Chamomile Buttermilk Pie (yum) and am now eyeing these chamomile drink recipes that go way beyond tea—and, of course, can be made with tea bags if you can't (or just won't) buy the fresh stuff. Top: Chamomile Honey and Whiskey cocktail at Broma Bakery | Strawberry Chamomile Paloma at Half Baked Harvest | Pineapple Chamomile Iced Tea with Basil at Chocolate for Basil

Related: Spring cocktails and mocktails with flower power.

 

Cocktail: Chamomile, Honey and Whiskey Cocktail

One of my favorite drinks through winter is the Gold Rush cocktail, which is made with nothing more than bourbon, honey, and lemon. It somehow seems an appropriate sip for winter, despite having the makings of a bright, spring and summer cocktail, too. Sarah at Broma Bakery takes those bright, springy elements and builds on them to whip up this Chamomile Honey and Whiskey cocktail, nicknamed the the Spring Buzz, thanks to a fourth ingredient that makes this just perfect. I cannot wait to try it.

Related: Rose wine cocktail recipes, because it's time.

Cocktail: Strawberry Chamomile Paloma

I usually feature one cocktail and one mocktail, but I just couldn't choose, because look at this Strawberry Chamomile Paloma at Half Baked Harvest! Is this spring perfection or what? If you don't like tequila, you can easily substitute another white liquor or, I'd venture to say that you can skip the booze all together and still end up with a killer sip.

Related: Skinny cocktail recipes for warm weather sipping (and more ice cream).

Mocktail: Pineapple Chamomile Iced Tea with Basil

The combination of ingredients in this clever recipe for Pineapple Chamomile Iced Tea with Basil at Chocolate for Basil sounds completely divine to me, and I can't imagine that my kids won't love it, too. Plus, sweetened with just a touch of honey, this is a healthy and way-tastier-than-water way to keep everyone hydrated in the warm-weather months. If you think the basil is going too far for your kids, just skip that—this will still taste great.