Is drinking just not giving you the same buzz as before? When it comes to alcohol, are you thinking about cutting back, or cutting out entirely? We’ll you’re not alone, and hosts Lea Palmieri and Matt Stillo are here to help you navigate being sober curious. We’re breaking down what it means to explore mindful drinking, the steps you can take to incorporate this into your lifestyle, and the benefits to your mind, body, and wallet.

Our guest this week is Derek Brown, a hospitality consultant, a wellness coach, mindful drinking advocate, and the author of the National Academy of Sports Medicine Mindful Drinking Course, as well as two cocktail books, "Spirit Sugar Water Bitters: How the Cocktail Conquered the World" and "Mindful Mixology: A Comprehensive Guide to No and Low Alcohol Cocktails". Also check out mindfulfrinkingfest.com.

(Smoky) Ginger Old Fashioned Recipe

Yield: One Serving/12-14 oz. Double Rocks Glass

Ingredients:

• 2 ¼ oz. Kentucky 74 or Lapsang Souchong Tea
• ¼ oz. Ginger Syrup (purchase or use recipe below)
• 3 Dashes All the Bitters Aromatic Bitters
• Citrus Peel, lemon, or orange both work

Instructions:

Combine in a double rocks glass and add ice. Stir until chilled.

Ginger Syrup

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp. Grated ginger root (with skin)*
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup white sugar
• Dash lemon juice
• (Optional: a few dashes of ginger juice**)

Instructions: Boil sugar and water until sugar granules dissolve. Remove from heat and add grated ginger. Allow to cool. Add lemon juice and strain.

*Pro-tip: Freeze the ginger root for easier grating.

**For an extra kick, add some fresh ginger juice before straining.

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