Viva! Health Tonic

Recipe from Robert A. Barnett

Adapted by Molly O’Neill

Published March 8, 1997

Total Time
About 1 hour 30 minutes
Rating
4(12)
Comments
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Robert A. Barnett, author of ''Tonics, More Than 100 Recipes That Improve the Body and the Mind,'' defines a tonic as a food, an herb or a thought that improves your well-being. In traditional Chinese medicine, tonics are used to enhance immunity, with specific herbs prescribed for specific problems. In Europe, tonics are given to stimulate digestion, while here in the West, Barnett says, we think of them as anything that you put in your mouth that makes you feel better. —Molly O'Neill

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Ingredients

Yield:One and a half gallons

  • 1 half-gallon organic apple juice

  • 1 5-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and coarsely chopped

  • 1 ounce whole dried ginseng root

  • 6 frozen lemon leaves (available at Asian markets)

  • peel from 1 orange, all white removed

  • 1 stick Chinese cinnamon

  • 1 pint cranberry juice or raspberry juice

  • 1 gallon seltzer water

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Place the apple juice in a large pot along with the ginger and the ginseng and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to simmer and cook for 30 minutes. Add the lemon leaves, the orange peel and the Chinese cinnamon and simmer for 45 minutes more. Strain and cool.

  2. Step 2

    When the liquid has completely cooled, add the cranberry or raspberry juice and the seltzer. Serve over ice, and experience a sense of well-being.

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4 out of 5
12 user ratings
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Credits

Adapted from "Tonics, More Than 100 Recipes That Improve the Body and the Mind," BY Robert A. Barnett, Harper perennial, 1997.

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