All of the Fun(ctional) Beverages I Drink in a Day!
mineral rich herbal infusion, creamy bone broth, black sesame matcha, creamy jamaica iced tea, cherry mesquite lattes, cinnamon protein milkshake, and spearmint tea!
Using food as medicine changed my life. I healed my severe digestive issues and chronic stomach pain and solved my debilitating post-birth control syndrome (chronic fatigue, a missing period for over a year, and hormonal acne).
But one of my favorite things about using food as medicine is that you can be enjoying a delicious meal or a satisfying beverage and it is actually flooding your body with nutrients and amazing health benefits.
I don’t think everything we eat or drink needs to be delicious and 100% enjoyable. Sometimes you need to crack a can of sardines or eat a big plate of bitter greens that you don’t love. But if we aren’t finding some joy in our breakfast, a hot cup of coffee, a creamy matcha or an afternoon iced tea… what the heck are we doing here!!
That’s exactly where my fun(ctional) beverages come in. They are packed with health benefits — especially in terms of gut and hormone health — but they also serve as fun and delicious moments throughout the day. They encourage me to take advantage of seasonal produce, try out new ingredients, and learn about medicinal properties of various foods, like herbs.
To inspire you to stay hydrated, have fun, and add nutrients in your daily bevs, here’s a full day of fun & functional beverages. This isn’t what every day looks like (I’m lowkey dehydrated and chugging an iced latte as I type this). You can make your daily hydration as complicated or as simple as you want! And, of course, I sip on water and enjoy real meals throughout the day — just to be clear 😂 .
Try out some of these recipes to add nutrients & joy to your daily routine!
1. Mineral Rich Herbal Infusion — 6:30am
The first thing I do in the morning is rehydrate with a mineral-rich beverage. To make that easy—and to enjoy the benefits of herbs—I usually prepare my herbal infusion the night before. Think of an herbal infusion like tea, but much more potent. It’s made by steeping a larger quantity of herbs in hot water for a longer time, allowing more nutrients and medicinal properties to be extracted. Depending on the herbs used, infusions can support digestion, relaxation, immune function, and hydration. Some of my favorite herbs that benefit most from a long infusion include:
Nettle Leaf: Rich in minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc; supports adrenal health and energy
Oatstraw: Support pancreas and liver health for better digestion, rich in calcium, known as a longevity tonic, can enhance libido and mood.
Raspberry Leaf: Tones the uterus and supports reproductive health, rich in nutrients, I love to use it during period to reduce cramps, especially useful during third trimester of pregnancy
Red Clover: Supports hormonal balance and fertility, also known as an anti-cancer herb, anti-stress, improved cholesterol and heart health.
Ingredients:
Hot water
Herbs of choice
Large glass jar
Directions:
Before you go to bed, prepare your herbal infusion. Select the herbs you will be using for your infusion. I select 1-2 herbs depending on my cycle and benefits I am looking for.
Heat filtered water in a kettle. While the water heats, pack your large glass jar (I like to use a 64oz wide mouth mason jar) about 1/3 of the way full with your selected herbs. You need a good amount of plant material — remember, this isn’t your typical cup of tea!!
Pour boiling water to the top of the jar and stir to ensure all of the herbs are submerged. Seal with a lid and let sit on the counter overnight.
The next morning, strain the liquid, squeezing all of the liquid out of the herbs. You can drink at room temperature, reheat the tea, or just add hot water to make a warm beverage. Add any additions of choice, like lemon or honey, to taste. Sometimes I add a few drops of shilajit for extra minerals — no idea if that is doing anything, but I do feel like my hair is growing super fast.
Please note, I'm not a trained herbalist—just an enthusiastic learner and a frequent (possibly annoying) friend to many herbalists whose brains I’m always picking. For a super informative guide to herbal infusions, check out this book. I’m not affiliated, just a fan.
2. Creamy Bone Broth — 7am
Bone broth is a wonderful addition to your morning beverage lineup because it's rich in gut-supportive amino acids like glycine, proline, and L-glutamine. These nutrients help strengthen the gut lining, which is especially important for me since I struggle with leaky gut—a condition where the intestinal lining becomes compromised, allowing bacteria, toxins, and undigested food to enter the bloodstream and trigger inflammation.
For me, morning bone broth is a simple way to support gut health, boost my protein intake, and ease into the day with something warm and nourishing. Starting with a savory flavor also helps balance my palate and reduces cravings later on. You can enjoy it plain with a pinch of sea salt, or if that’s not your thing, try this creamy ghee version for a richer, more satisfying twist.
Ingredients:
1 cup bone broth
1 tsp butter or ghee
1 pinch sea salt
lemon juice to taste
Directions:
Warm the bone broth on the stove and then add all of the ingredients to a blender. Blend for 30 seconds until creamy and frothy.
Pro tip: Batch cooking bone broth and freezing it into 1/2 portions in my Souper Cubes makes reheating my morning bone broth so much easier!
3. Matcha of the Day — 8:30am
After my morning hydration and a nourishing breakfast, it’s time for my caffeinated beverage. As someone who struggles with anxiety, I’ve noticed a huge difference when I choose matcha over coffee. Matcha contains less caffeine and also delivers L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes calm and focus. The result? A smooth, steady energy without the jittery, anxious buzz I often get from coffee (which, admittedly, I'm feeling right now after half a latte!).
I love experimenting with flavors, sometimes adding seasonal fruits or functional ingredients like black sesame. My current favorite is a matcha latte with homemade black sesame paste. It adds a rich, nutty flavor and brings bonus benefits like supporting healthy hair and potentially reducing grays. Here is the recipe for my homemade black sesame paste:
Ingredients:
1 cup organic black sesame seeds
Pinch sea salt
1-2 tbsp maple syrup (optional)
Directions:
In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the black sesame seeds for 2–4 minutes, stirring often until they become fragrant. Watch closely to avoid burning. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
Add the cooled seeds to a food processor or high-speed blender. Blend until the seeds break down and begin to release their natural oils. This may take 5–10 minutes, depending on your equipment. Stop to scrape down the sides as needed.
If the paste feels too dry, you can add a splash of warm water or some maple syrup to help it come together. Add slowly, just a teaspoon at a time.
Add a pinch of sea salt if you'd like to enhance the flavor.
Transfer to a clean jar and store in the refrigerator for up to 1–2 weeks.
You can find the full Black Sesame Matcha Latte recipe here:
4. Creamy Iced Jamaica (HIbiscus) w/ Gelatina — midday
Hibiscus tea has been my latest obsession. First of all… the color!!! It’s gorgeous. Second, it has tons of health and beauty benefits: hibiscus is packed with antioxidants that offer impressive health benefits, especially for the skin. Rich in vitamin C and polyphenols, hibiscus supports collagen production, helps protect against free radical damage, and may even promote a more even skin tone. Its anti-inflammatory and hydrating properties can also contribute to a clearer, more radiant complexion. This hot pink beverage literally brightens my day but also feels like the easiest, most delicious way to nourish your skin from the inside out. I like to make gelatin gummies using jamaica tea and then cut them into super small cubes to add for a chewy bite in tea — use a boba straw or scoop them up with a spoon!
Ingredients:
Heaping 1/4 cup organic jamaica flowers
1 cup hot water (just before boiling)
2 cups cold water
1/2 tbsp maple syrup or raw honey (or more to taste)
Pinch sea salt
3-4 cubes ice
2-4 tbsp milk of choice (I like coconut milk or homemade cashew milk)
Directions:
Steep the jamaica in the hot water covered for 8-10 minutes. Stir in the cold water, the maple syrup or honey, and the salt. Add the ice.
Stir in the milk. Taste and add more sweetener or milk to taste.
Stir in small cubes of any flavor gelatin gummies, if you’d like!
Find the recipe for the hibiscus gelatin gummies here:
5. Caffeine-Free Mesquite Cherry Latte
If you’re turning to an afternoon coffee or a sugary snack that may be a sign that you need to work on balancing your blood sugar. If your blood sugar is spiking and dipping you are more likely to feel that afternoon crash and turn to a coffee or pastry to get going again. It’s a vicious cycle.
Sometimes a fun beverage is exactly what I need to power through the rest of my workday, but caffeine in the afternoon will completely disrupt sleep. Even if you feel like caffeine does not impact you that way and you have no trouble falling asleep, an afternoon coffee can disrupt the quality of your sleep. So, if you want to satisfy that cravings for a creamy afternoon latte, try this recipe instead. It uses mesquite (which you brew however you prefer to make your coffee) and has the same nutty, bitter flavor with zero caffeine. I paired it with a homemade cherry milk for a seasonal treat!
Ingredients:
1/2 cup milk of choice
1/3 cup fresh or frozen cherries, pits removed
Pinch sea salt
1/2 tbsp maple syrup (optional, I think it is sweet enough with just the cherries)
2 tbsp mesquite (or other coffee alternative of choice)
Directions:
In a blender combine the milk, cherries, sea salt, and maple syrup if including. Blend until smooth. Strain this mixture if you want a perfectly smooth beverage.
Brew your mesquite (or coffee alternative of choice). I use my espresso machine to pull a shot of mesquite. Directions for various brewing methods here.
Pour the cherry milk over ice and add the mesquite. Stir and enjoy!
6. Muscle Recovery Protein Milkshake
Have you heard I am in my muscle building era?!? Strength training and a diet to support muscle synthesis is one of the best things you can do for longevity, hormone health, and overall metabolic function. Building muscle helps with insulin sensitivity, increases our basal metabolic rate (how many calories we burn at rest), and is an important marker for healthy aging.
So, why do we need protein around a workout? Protein boosts muscle protein synthesis by providing the essential amino acids—especially leucine—needed to repair and build muscle tissue that was stressed or damaged during exercise. When you work out, particularly with resistance or strength training, you create tiny tears in muscle fibers. Consuming protein shortly after training gives your body the raw materials to repair those fibers, which helps with increased muscle strength and growth.
30–60 mins after exercise is when muscles are particularly receptive to nutrients, and insulin sensitivity is elevated, helping shuttle amino acids into muscle cells more efficiently. That’s why I love to make this quick and easy protein shake with 30g protein and a scoop of creatine (full creatine post coming ASAP I promise)!
Ingredients:
1/2 cup milk of choice
1/2 cup filtered water
1 scoop beef protein isolate (I like chocolate or cinnamon roll flavor)
5g creatine (optional)
Pinch sea salt
4 cubes ice (optional, for a thicker consistency)
Directions:
In a blender, combine all of the ingredients. Blend until smooth.
Enjoy shortly after resistance training!
7. Herbal Tea - 6:30pm
I always love to end the night with some herbal tea. Lately my go-to has been spearmint tea because of its proven benefits for reducing androgens and addressing PCOS symptoms like hormonal acne. My biggest tip when it comes to herbal tea is to buy loose leaf in bulk. You will save tons of money, avoid microplastics from tea bags, and actually get an effective dose of herbs in your cup of tea (tea bags contain a tiny amount of herbs. I also love this brand for spearmint.
I brew a big cup using a stainless steel steeper and sip on it after dinner while I read my book. I try to have this many hours before bedtime to avoid disrupting my sleep with trips to the bathroom. Tell me your favorite herbal teas because I need more ideas!!!
Let me know in the comments which of these you are going to try! Do you have any favorite fun(ctional) beverages that I should try out?
Holy cow. Talk about a hydration stack! Love this. Now I need big glass jars to drink out of lol