Recipe: Cooling Coriander, Basil & Lime Drink

Posted by Claire Ragozzino

As summer wanes and we transition to autumn, our digestive fire (Agni) is furthered weakened. We want to incorporate foods that have some pungency to increase digestion, but we also don’t want to burn up anymore than we already are – after all, we’re coming out of a hot summer! And for many of us, it’s been an intense heat wave this month…

This recipe is a quick and easy drink to help you beat the heat! This simple tea can be enjoyed warm or sipped cool to balance Pitta and sooth your digestion when feeling overheated. Coriander is a wonderful digestive aid that doesn’t add heat to the body, the basil is lightly sweet/pungent, and the lime adds a pitta-friendly sour taste to perk up Agni. Enjoy and stay cool, friends!

CORIANDER, BASIL & LIME DRINK

2 cups water
1 tbsp coriander seeds
4-5 sprigs fresh basil (sweet basil or Thai basil)
1-2 tsp lime juice
1 tsp coconut sugar, sucanat or rock sugar

In a small pot, bring the water to a boil, reduce to medium heat. Add the coriander seeds and cook for 3 minutes uncovered. Turn off heat and add the basil. Cover with a lid and steep for another 5 minutes. Strain the pulp and return to the pot. Stir in the sugar until fully dissolved. Add the lime juice, to taste. Serve warm, or place the pan into the fridge to cool and serve when slightly chilled. Enjoy on a hot day.

Yield: 2 cups