TL;DR
When to Drink a Chamomile Bee’s Knees Mocktail
-New Year’s Eve
–Imbolc
-Spring
The Functional Benefit of this Chamomile Bee’s Knees Mocktail
–Immunity
The Magickal Intent of this Chamomile Bee’s Knees Mocktail
–Personal Transformation
The History Behind the Original Bee’s Knees Cocktail
While its precise origin is unknown, the original Bee’s Knees cocktail harkens back to the Prohibition era due to the fact that “the bee’s knees” was a popular expression in the 1920s. Honey was used to mask the smell of the infamous “bathtub gin” it contained. Not only did this make the cocktail easier to drink, it made it more difficult for police at the time to detect any trace of alcohol.
When it comes to chamomile drink recipes, we think booze is likely to overpower the delicate flavor of the chamomile. That’s why this non-alcoholic version brings us so much pleasure – the departure from the traditional recipe opens up a whole new layer of flavor complexity.
What Makes this Chamomile Mocktail “Functional?”
Chamomile tea recipes have been used for centuries to combat different maladies. Chamomile has high amounts of terpenes and flavonoids, making it good for treating anxiety, gastrointestinal disorders and inflammation. Its healing properties may also help relieve discomfort due to PMS, lower blood sugar in people with diabetes and prevent osteoporosis by reducing oxidative stress.
Because the compounds in chamomile reduce inflammation, it helps support the immune system and may target cancer cells or even prevent those cells from developing in the first place. And of course, there is its most popular use – helping people to relax, fall asleep and improve overall sleep quality.
Honey and lemon also have an abundance of functional properties and the combination makes this one of our favorite immunity-booster mocktails.
Chamomile Bee’s Knees Mocktail’s Magickal Correspondence
In celebration of Imbolc, marking the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox (and in ancient times, the beginning of spring), this mocktail is infused with the solar magic of chamomile. The celebration is personified by the goddess Brigid, my patron deity, who is thought to descend to the earth at this time in her maiden form as the sun.
As the goddess of the forge and all things blacksmithing, all forms of light are sacred to her, so to ensure abundance in the coming spring, bonfires and hearth fires are lit and candles are placed in windows on the evening of the celebration.
Feasting on foods associated with the sun is a way to invite Brigid’s blessing into your life. She especially favors bees and honey, as well as Mead and Ale, and chamomile was a frequent brewing herb in the latter two, long before the addition of hops.
Given that chamomile is a sun herb and this drink is based around a delicate honey syrup, and both honor the Goddess, this mocktail is ritually suited to this time of new beginnings and perfect for a personal transformation spell.
Don’t stop at Imbolc, though! This chamomile tea mocktail can be enjoyed any time you desire a fresh start – so be sure to add it to your list of mocktails for New Year’s and mocktails for spring.
How to Use This Chamomile Mocktail in Your Magickal Practice
Brigid’s magick is a powerful aid in personal transformation. If you happen to have labradorite around, it will enhance the potency of your spell. Hold it in your other hand as you sip your mocktail, or simply place it near you so you can draw from its energy.
Focus on the aroma and taste of the golden elixir in your glass, observing the floral notes the chamomile imparts. Chamomile’s sun energy helps you touch your intuition, be in integrity and step into the best version of yourself. It also powers your transformation spell.
Now, think of the impurities shed from the steel as the blacksmith, Brigid, pounds it with her anvil. Consider where you might be clinging to comforting but unhealthy things. What aspects of yourself do you still need to chip away as you uplevel?
Reflect on where you have been stretched, pounded and forced to grow. What qualities do you now consider iron-fortified as a result of your trials?
Enjoy your beverage, saying softly to yourself, I am strong, or any other personal mantra that encapsulates the change you are manifesting in your life. Place the labradorite on your altar until you start to see results.
So mote it be.
Chamomile Bee’s Knees Mocktail
Ingredients
Drink Base
- 3/4 cup water
- 5 juniper berries (protection, purification, healing)
- 2 chamomile tea bags (purification, cleansing, healing)
Mixers
- 2 tbsp (1 oz) honey (purification, sweetness, prosperity)
- 2 tbsp (1 oz) lemon juice from approx 1 lemon (purification)
Garnish
- Chamomile buds
- Lemon twist
Instructions
- Gently muddle five juniper berries and add with the tea bags to your boiling water. Steep for five minutes, then remove the berries and squeeze out the tea bags. Stir in honey and put in the fridge until chilled (approx 30 minutes).
- When the honey-chamomile mixture is cold, add it to a shaker with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.
- Shake briefly and strain into two coup glasses.
- Garnish with a chamomile bud or a curl of lemon rind.
2 Responses
This is so much more complex than I expected! The juniper and chamomile really come through and make this delightful and surprising. I’ll be adding this to my regular rotation for sure!
Greetings! I found this blog post to be incredibly informative and well-written. Your ability to break down complex topics into easy-to-understand language is truly a gift. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. I’m excited to read more of your posts in the future!