This post is part of a partnership with Mountain Rose Herbs. All opinions are my own. You can learn more about my favorite purveyor of organic herbs & spices here.

It’s September in New England. The evenings are getting cooler, I’m finding myself drinking more hot coffee than iced, and cozy after-dinner cocktails are on my mind. As summer winds down and the first signs of autumn begin to emerge, it marks the beginning of the whirlwind that is the holiday season. And as much as I love the last few months of the year, it can be a particularly stressful time. When I need a little boost to help manage those daily stresses, it’s time for drinks with adaptogens!

What are adaptogens?

Adaptogenic herbs are essentially just plants that help the body better manage its responses to stress. These herbs can help with mental clarity, sleeplessness, fatigue, and quieting a worried mind, among other benefits. Some people (myself included) have felt a decrease in anxiety, and an overall sense of improved well-being. Some adaptogens may also help to support the immune system, making them a natural addition to fall and winter time self-care practices. You can learn more about adaptogens here.

One particular adaptogenic herb I’ve come to love is holy basil, also known as tulsi basil. I feel generally more calm, alert, and emotionally balanced when I’m taking holy basil regularly. I like to drink holy basil tea, but it’s even more fun to fix myself a special adaptogenic cocktail like this one now and then!

Fuego Chocolate Elixir

Mountain Rose Herbs has a delicious line of chocolate elixirs that combine organic, fair trade cacao with a variety of beneficial herbs, including some key adaptogens. One of my favorite elixirs is the Fuego Chocolate Elixir. This rich and spicy chocolate syrup is warming and invigorating, made from a blend of: fair trade coffee beans, honey, holy basil leaf, cardamom, cinnamon, and cayenne. It’s wonderful by itself, in coffee, hot cocoa, or even in a chocolate Espressotini!

If you’re not familiar with them, Mountain Rose Herbs is my go-to shop for all things herb and spice. There are a lot of places out there to buy organic botanicals, but Mountain Rose Herbs stands apart from all others with their unwavering commitment to put “people, plants, and planet over profit”. Not only do they offer an awesome selection of herbs and spices, and some really unique products of their own, but they also adhere to very high quality and ethical standards including maintaining the very comprehensive fair trade certification of the Fair for Life program, and being certified Zero Waste. I’ve shopped with Mountain Rose Herbs since about 2013 and I really can’t say enough about how much I love the company and their products. You can learn more about Mountain Rose Herbs here.

The Fuego Chocolate Elixir is warm and cozy, making it perfect for fall cocktails. This Espressotini combines espresso with the toasty, caramel flavors of aged rum, rich bittersweet chocolate and spices. A pinch of aromatic cardamom and an orange twist complete this invigorating, soul-warming sip.

Fuego Chocolate Espresso Martini

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz aged rum

• 1 oz espresso

• .5 oz Fuego Chocolate Elixir

•  Pinch of cardamom

Instructions:

Shake first three ingredients with ice until chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe and garnish with a sprinkle of cardamom and an orange twist.

Disclaimer: I recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products. This post is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.