The hum of bees hangs in the air; flowers, herbs, and gardens are growing; the heat lingers in the afternoon. The longest of day of the year is here, and with it, the turn towards summer! And I think all that heat calls for some refreshing, chilled beverages.

Summer solstice, otherwise known as Litha, marks a time of play, childhood memories, abundance, and love. The sun is in its full power and strength, and sharing its full radiancy with the earth. It is a time of agriculture, change, manifestation, and power. And it’s simple to know what ingredients to put into a cocktail; you need only look around. Lavender and chamomile are blooming, strawberries and elder are plentiful. What better way to celebrate the abundance than in food and drink?

For Simple Sipping:

Cocktail making can be easy! Just swap ingredients or remove as you see fit. As a craft cocktail bartender and witch, I throw in as much herbal potency as possible to layer on the ~mixology magic~, but it is not necessary at all. Use the material here as reference to help guide you in your own unique concoction, and get creative in swapping ingredients you may not have.

 

Solstice Syrup

When it comes to choosing a cocktail sweetener for the buzzing solstice energy, honey is a natural choice. Thick and floral in nature, honey has long been associated with the sun and the harvest, and adds the energetic vibration of: purification, youth, health, wisdom, love and sexuality, and happiness – what better embodiment for the energy of solstice and solar radiance? Who would say no to that! You can stop there if you like, and have a delicious sweetener for your solstice cocktails. To make a simple honey syrup, you simply mix 1 part hot water to 1 part honey, and stir. Allow it to cool, and then it is good to go for cocktail making goodness!

However, should you choose, you can add a bit of magical herbalism through the opportunity of hot water…

Floral and soothing, the addition of calming chamomile and strengthening saffron adds extra solar radiancy to this honey syrup. As though resembling a little sun itself, the floral star of the season – chamomile – is energetically aligned to the sun, to peace & communication. Add potent saffron (also associated with the sun), to lends its signature fiery energy for strength, psychic abilities, and happiness, and you have a joyful, solstice -packed cocktail syrup.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup hot water
• Optional: 1 tablespoon dried chamomile flowers (use a chamomile tea bag if desired)
• Optional: 3 saffron threads

Instructions: Set hot water to boil (I often use an electric tea kettle). Gather chamomile and saffron in a bowl. Pour boiling water over the herbs, and allow to steep for 5 minutes. Add in honey and let cool. Strain as used. Use right away, or allow to infuse for 24 hours in refrigerator for extra flavor & potency.

~For an extra magical touch, spend a moment holding your hands over the herbs before adding the hot water, and visualize the sun’s radiance and light imbuing the herbs with the solstice energies of manifestation, power, and growth. Alternatively, you can try leaving the herbs out in the solstice sunlight from dawn to noon to become solarized.~

Solar Illumination
Mocktail

Magical Alignment: Illumination, Purification, Divination

Mocktails can be magical, too! With revitalizing rosemary, fresh mint, and our soothing solstice syrup, this delicious sparkling lemonade is rejuvenating and addictive! Packed with herbs to draw down that solar illumination, imbibe this delicious honey-lemonade for solstice work around clarity, illumination, & divination. Or just to enjoy a refreshing, purifying beverage under the sun.

Ingredients

• 1 sprig of rosemary
• 7 mint leaves
• 1 oz honey syrup
• 1/2 oz lemon
• 3 oz soda
• Optional: lavender sprig

Instructions: In the bottom of a glass, place rosemary, mint, and optional lavender. Add honey syrup, and muddle ingredients. Add lemon, ice, soda water, and stir to mix. Garnish with rosemary sprig.

~Magical Enhancement: rosemary is a potent herb for clarity and psychic ability. Before muddling, take a moment to tune into the vibration of rosemary and imagine it invoking solar illumination.

Buzzing Bees Knees
Cocktail

Magical Alignment: Happiness, Strength, Purification

What better way to encapsulate the buzzing energy of the Summer Solstice than with a bees knees? A zesty, refreshing bouquet of floral flavors, this brightening cocktail is aligned to the solstice energies of happiness, strength, purification, healing. And what better gin to use, than the aptly-named Hendrick’s Gin’s Midsummer Solstice? Add in some soothing & strengthening solstice honey syrup, and purifying lavender, and this cocktail is sure to have you in your happy place. Add in an optional 1/4-1/3 oz violet liqueur for a more floral, less zesty profile.

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz gin (I used Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice)
• 3/4 oz solstice syrup or honey syrup
• 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
• 2-3 lavender bitters (or sprig)
• Optional: 1/4-1/3 oz violet liqueur? (for a more floral flavor)

Instructions: In a cocktail shaker, add gin, syrup, lemon, and bitters. (If using lavender sprig instead of bitters, be sure to muddle the sprig in the syrup first). Add ice, and shake. Double strain cocktail into a coupe glass, and adorn with lemon peel and flower garnish.

Summer Love
Cocktail

Magical Alignment: Love, Happiness, Peace

Summer wouldn’t be summer without a little heat. Fruity, dry, and refreshing, this solstice-enhanced French 75 is sure to add a bit of pep in your step. With sensual strawberry, lusty lavender, and enchanting elderflower, this bubbly concoction is sure to have you lucky in love. With the soothing & revitalizing solstice honey syrup and refreshing citrus, this witch’s brew is sure to put you in a good mood. Imbibe under the solstice sun for a super sippable, mood enhancing potable.

Ingredients

• 1 small strawberry, sliced
• 2 lavender bitters (or sprig)
• 3/4 oz solstice syrup or honey syrup
• 3/4 oz lemon juice
• 1oz gin
• 1/2 oz elderflower liqueur
• 3 oz prosecco

Instructions: In the bottom of a cocktail shaker, add strawberry, lavender, and syrup. Muddle the strawberry and lavender, then add lemon, gin (I used Hendricks Gin’s Midsummer Solstice), and elderflower liqueur. Add ice and shake, then double strain into a wine glass or champagne flute. Top with Prosecco, and garnish with strawberry slice, lavender, and lemon peel as desired. 

Magical Enhancement

For a little extra ~solstice sorcery~ work with one of the following crystals as you sip your libation, or as you do some solstice magic. The following crystals will help imbue all you do with some solar radiance:

Orange Calcite is a stone of creativity, sexuality, playfulness, and confidence. Inviting solar energy into your vibrational field, orange calcite can invite balance, joy and hope. Its inspiring energy ushers you to take action in your own life and break old patterns and habits.

Citrine embodies the energy of life, and as such, this stone transmutes negative energy into the positive. Citrine is a wonderful stone for empaths, or for those going through transitions or karmic shifts. Citrine can help connect you to your inner inspiration, and promote joy and happiness.

Sunstone is a crystal of confidence and joy. It’s solar connection inspires personal expansion and leadership. A stone of courage, sunstone invites the strength and energy you need to pursue your aspirations, and promote a healthy balance of give and take. Its solar radiancy also invokes positivity, joy, and happiness.

To work with the crystal energy, intention is always key! You can hold the crystal, and visualize a light (like the sun!) awakening and vibrating within the crystal with your intention. Or simply hold it and tune into its frequency as you sip and meditate on the summer sun ~

Magical Association Reference List

Chamomile – (sun, water Air) – Money, sleep, love, purification, communication

Elder – (Venus, Mercury) – Exorcism, Protection, Healing, Prosperity, Sleep

Honey – (Sun) – Purification, health, love, sex, happiness, spirituality, wisdom, weight loss

Juniper – (Sun, Fire, Earth, Water, Mars, Mercury, Moon) -protection, exorcism, grounding, psychic enhancement, healing, love

Lavender – (Mercury, Air) – Love, Purification, Sleep, Chatity, Longevity, Protection, Happiness, fairies, Peace

Lemon – (Moon, Water) – longevity, purification, love, friendship

Mint – (Air, Fire, Mercury) – Mental abilities, Abundance, Divination, Psychic, Love, Protection, Calming

Saffron – (Sun, Fire) – Love, Healing, Happiness, Lust, Strength, Psychic Powers

Strawberry (Venus) – Love, harmony, Divination, Good luck

Rosemary –  (Sun, Fire, Merucry, Moon) – Protection, love, lust, mental powers, exorcism, purification, healing, sleep, youth

Violet – (Venus) – Protection, Luck, Love, Lust, Wishes, Peace, Healing, Fairies

Disclaimer: All drinks and variations by WitchCraft Cocktails are inspired by energetic and witchcraft themes for fun and craft cocktail enjoyment solely, and makes no claims as far changes or healing potency.

Works Cited

Cunningham, Scott. Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Wicca in the Kitchen. Llewellyn Publications, 1990.

Cunningham, Scott. Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. Llewellyn Publications, 1985.

Kynes, Sandra. Llewellyn’s Complete Book of Correspondences: A Comprehensive Cross-Referenced Resource for Pagans & Wiccans. Llewellyn, 2013.

Kynes, Sandra. Plant Magic: A Year of Green Wisdom for Pagans & Wiccans. Llewellyn Publications, 2017.

Morrison, Dorothy. Everyday Moon Magic: Spells & Rituals for Abundant Living. Llewellyn Publications, 2009.

Regan, Gary. The Bartender’s Bible: 1001 Mixed Drinks and Everything You Need to Know to Set up Your Bar. HarperCollins, 1991.