Saturday, August 05, 2023

GardenDC Podcast Episode 159: Herbal Mocktails, Cocktails, and Other Garden-inspired Libations

In this episode of GardenDC: The Podcast about Mid-Atlantic Gardening, we chat with KIMANI Anku, founder of Gardening and Beats, about making herbal mocktails, cocktails, and other garden-inspired libations. The plant profile is on Shasta Daisy and we share what's going on in the garden as well as some upcoming local gardening events in the What's New segment. We close out with garden designer and host of Better Lawns & Gardens Teresa Watkins, who shares the Last Word on growing houseplants anywhere.


If you liked this episode, you may also enjoy listening to:

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 23: Summer Cocktails

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2020/08/gardendc-podcast-episode-23-summer.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 84: Thanksgiving from the Garden

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2021/11/gardendc-podcast-episode-84.html


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Show Notes: 01:10 Meet Kimani Anku, founder of Gardening and Beats. 02:33 Anku’s gardening/farming family history. 03:52 Anku would spend time at his great-grandmother’s farm for this reason. 05:46 There are tons of plants at Anku’s property, from Pomegranates to Tomatoes. 08:55 Infusing Lavender into your Lemonade can give it a fun and unique taste. 09:48 Adding rum, gin, or vodka is always an option to add to make a mixed alcoholic drink. 10:42 One of Anku’s favorite mocktails is a Thyme, Blackberry syrup, and sparkling water mixture. 11:30 “One of the unique things about my herbal mocktail drinks is I put liquid collagen in it.” 13:59 Making a simple syrup: How to make it at home. 16:19 Which edible flowers work best for drinks? 18:10 Another mocktail Anku loves is a Hibiscus sparkler, with Hibiscus, Mint, Cucumber, Ginger, Honey, and sparkling water. 21:27 Birds love fermented fruits. 22:10 Anku is working on a Peach Beer, despite his past kombucha troubles. 24:54 Growing Hops can be a bit of a struggle because of how aggressive the vine is. 28:16 Anku made a drink called “The Sting,” with Jalapeno Peppers and Lemonade, which kids surprisingly enjoyed. 30:32 Adding coconut milk to drinks can give them an incredible taste, such as a Passionfruit and coconut milk mix. 32:10 Using Pawpaw fruits to make different treats. 33:44 “Hot Apple Pie Smoothie:” Green Apples, oats, and milk cooked down into a smoothie. 34:03 Anku’s favorite warm cocktail. 35:09 Water infusions can be very hydrating, some great ideas can include Cucumber, Lemon, Strawberry, and special additives like Strawberry Mint. 36:17 There are tons of different types of Mint in the world, but they are fairly hard to start from seed. 39:55 Rosemary and Grapefruit is a fan-favorite of Anku’s, with some sparkling addition. 40:53 Find Anku through his Website: https://www.gardeningandbeats.com/ Instagram: @gardeningandbeats or Email: info@gardeningandbeats.com or gardeningandbeat@gmail.com. 41:40 Anku plans to start a nonprofit, Melanated Earthling Explorers, which will work to provide classes and camps for kids from 3-15. 42:15 Anku’s experience with a young child very excited to learn more about bees. 45:10 Shasta Daisy: This week’s Plant Profile! 47:00 Garden Updates: Some shrubs are reblooming, the cucamelon has surfaced, and the community garden is doing great. 47:59 Upcoming Events: The Annual Boxwood Symposium (https://boxwoodsociety.org/abs_events... The Sustainable Flowers Project 2023 (https://www.prairiegirlflowers.com/wo... Longwood Gardens’ Chrysanthemum Festival (https://longwoodgardens.org/gardens/o.... 49:41 “Groundcover Revolution” by Kathy Jentz. 51:00 “The Urban Garden” by Kathy Jentz and Teri Speight. 52:00 The Last Word on growing houseplants anywhere by Teresa Watkins. 53:00 “Houseplants provide the caretaker emotional health benefits that result in a positive outlook on life.”

We welcome your questions and comments! You can leave a voice mail message for us at: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/message Note that we may use these messages on a future episode.

And be sure to leave us a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform plus share us on social media with #GardenDC, so other gardeners can find us too!

Episode Credits:
Host and Producer: Kathy Jentz
Interview Editor and Show Notes: Marissa Yelenik

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2 comments:

  1. D S10:55 AM

    Hi - I could not find an email to write to so using the comment section. I paid for the magazine digital subscription at the Arboretum's plant sale but have not received my digital copy of the magazine yet. Can someone please get in contact with me ? thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. WashingtonGardener10:31 AM

      HI D S - please send an email to KathyJentz@gmail.com. I suspect we have a typo or bouncing email address for you. We'll get it straightened out. - KJ

      Delete

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