It should also be said that I have always been attracted to plants that have physiological properties. Can a plant or substance make you feel X, Y or Z, etc? That means things like coffee and tea as well as some more exotic plants known as entheogens such as tobacco, cacao or psilocybin. These type of plants, when taken ceremonially, are traditionally used to alter one's state and allow a change of mood or perspective. These altered states can be liberating, intoxicating, healing and s ometimes overwhelming, but they also offer insight into ourselves and our surroundings in a deep and meaningful way. This is something that I am respectful of and always curious. It is perhaps through this curiosity that I have found a more recent passion for functional foods and drinks, looking at how we can utilise amazing and powerful plants to create worthy and novel products that can be beneficial and add m ore fun in our daily lives. Three Spirits says that their drinks could give you “More energy, deeper sleeps, connections enhanced”. I have many favourite plants so not possible to name THE favourite, but I can try and name a few. In terms of everyday joy and usefulness, it is hard to beat rosemary. I love growing it, I love cooking with it, and if I see it in someone's front garden I can't resist giving its leaves a little pinch and then savouring the smell which just puts a smile on my face. It's full of rosmarinic acid too which is a powerful antioxidant and good for preventing inflammation. F or s omething a little more exotic, I am particularly into cacao at the moment and have been experimenting with it in different ways. I long to visit small specialist farms in Guatemala to see the alien-like fruit grow on the tree and watch and learn about each step during harvesting of the cacao beans. I love the Hawthorn tree more than most; memories of climbing them when I was a little kid still resonates, and enjoying their magnificent pink flowers in Spring all over London makes me very happy. Their berries produce a wonderful flavour and they are one ingredient that I hope to work with in the future as studies show that the berry may help reduce anxiety and also reduce hair loss, who knew!?

Regarding anything that could be considered supplementation - please note the following: Livener contains natural caffeine and L-theanine from guayusa and green tea respectively, and Social Elixir contains damiana and is fortified with B-vitamins, and L-theanine (from green tea). Nightcap contains valerian. The Social Elixir contains trace amounts of caffeine from Green Tea, Yerba Mate, and Cacao extracts, less than 6mg per serving. Lion’s Mane Mushroom – Lion’s mane mushroom has been shown to have neuroprotective properties, which means it can help protect and regenerate nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It also contains compounds that may improve cognitive function, memory, and overall brain health. I’m generally very happy as a non-drinker, as I discuss here. But as summer got underway, it did all get a little more challenging, especially when planning social events with friends and family – events where other people would be drinking alcohol.

Traditional sleep-aid

We always recommend waiting an hour before driving, as everyone reacts differently to each Three Spirit drink - especially with the dreamy Nightcap which many of our customers report feeling sleepy after drinking! If you’re new to Three Spirit you’ll want to know what your limit is. Those who take drug tests for work or services I tend to have more need to be awake than asleep these days. However, I’d been having a bit of an insomnia spell, so thought that was the perfect moment to give it a go. This drink is made with natural mood elevators including lion’s mane mushroom, yerba mate, and damiana, as well as L-theanine for its “zen-like” qualities. It’s hard to describe the taste and mouthfeel of a drink that blends everything from cacao bean and passionflower to lion’s mane mushroom and caraway seed. What I can say is that it’s smooth, the overall taste is aromatic, and when served over ice with ginger ale it’s just the right level of warmth. Three Spirit recommend serving this with a slice of fresh orange or ginger, but a wedge of lime is also a solid shout. Function: For me, discovering Three Spirit has been fantastic. As I said near the start of my Three Spirit review, I’d reached the point where I was finding it a little harder to refrain from alcohol. These drinks give me something tasty and enjoyable to drink at the start, middle and end of every social event (and – increasingly – on several weekday evenings!)

Three Spirit drinks are low in calories – especially compared to alcohol. Per serve (without mixer):

By working with Prof Michael Heinrich we are looking at ways to learn more about plants, full stop. We work with UCL to choose the best plants and extracts to use in our drinks n ow or in the future. On top of this, we are working with the school to design and execute an independent research project into the efficacy of our products and some of our key ingredients. This we hope will provide novel research that can benefit the wider industry as well as helping us improve our products, supply chain and extraction processes. Loads, there is a never-ending list of curiosities to explore. We have analysed and considered so many plants for their flavour and function whilst developing our three current products, and while most considerations didn't make the cut, there is a big (excuse the football chat) sub-bench full of quality options. I don't want to give away too much in terms of future ingredients of interest, as some of these we keep close to our chest as we don't want our secrets out before our new products launch. The Nightcap is a soothing elixir to be enjoyed at the end of the evening. Designed as a slow-sipper it will provide a dreamy, mellow feeling – helping to calm the mind and soothe the body. Health benefits inside the Nightcap

When my wife and I first tried the Social Elixir, the effects felt very noticeable. It put us into a party vibe, and we certainly felt very upbeat – in the house on a Friday night with some tunes on. Three Spirit may be non-alcoholic, but these are no regular soft drinks or cordial! The amount of each active ingredient included in each of our drinks has been designed for adult consumption, not to mention the natural caffeine in our Spark and Livener. Sorry kids - Three Spirit is not for you. Designated drivers Three Spirit offers three different types of alcohol-free botanical beverages, but we think its name has more to do with the folks behind the company. It was created in 2018 by Dash Lilley, Tatiana Mercer, and Meera Gournay, each one of these entrepreneurs bringing their own expertise to the bar in plant science, mixology, herbalism, and art.All Three Spirit non-alcoholic drinks are plant-based, 100% vegan with sustainably-sourced plants, and gluten-free. Other suggested serves include a ‘Nightcap Old Fashioned’ served with ice, Angostura bitters, an orange slice and a maraschino cherry, or a ‘Zen Penicillin’ served with lemon, ginger syrup and smoky ginger honey. Nightcap Verdict Social Elixir is rich and full-bodied, but it doesn’t burn or bite like a heavy duty spirit would. It’s on the savoury side of the drinks spectrum, so if you’re like me and you don’t have much of a sweet tooth, don’t be put off by the agave nectar and molasses on the ingredients list. Schisandra – Schisandra has been traditionally used as a natural remedy for a variety of health issues, including improving liver function, reducing inflammation, and boosting cognitive function. It may also have anti-aging and adaptogenic properties that can help the body better cope with stress. Guayusa leaves contain various beneficial compounds. They’re rich in antioxidants and caffeine that can ultimately promote weight loss, regulation of blood sugar, and improved mood. This review summarized the composition of beverages containing guayusa and their potential health benefits like antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.