IF YOU’VE NEVER CONSIDERED SIPPING BROTH STRAIGHT UP WITH YOUR FAVORITE BLEND OF HERBS AND SPICES, THEN YOU ARE TRULY MISSING OUT ON A TREAT. ONCE YOU START SIMMERING YOUR OWN BONE BROTH, YOU WILL QUICKLY ENCOUNTER THE TEMPTATION TO DIP A LADLE INTO THE MIXTURE LONG BEFORE IT’S DONE BECAUSE IT JUST SMELLS SO DANG YUMMY. WE WON’T LIE; WE’VE DONE THAT. AND THERE’S NO NEED TO BE ASHAMED ABOUT IT.
But running a small food business can sometimes put a wrench in our desire to live a healthy life, and to practice what we preach. In an effort to create more on-the-go options and to push the limits on broth’s versatility as a whole food ingredient, supplement, and beverage, we’ve stumbled upon some pretty tasty and nutritious sipping broth creations. We’ve begun to think of bone broth as the (savory) protein bar of beverages. Sure, cooking with it is great, but what if you just don’t have the time to make a full-fledged meal? Don’t throw the bone broth out with the bones (see what we did there?). The beverages you discover in this chapter may just be the easiest way for you to begin incorporating real bone broth into your lifestyle in baby steps, with as little time and hassle as possible. And the flavor combinations, paired with the broth’s natural umami essence, will change any preconceptions about what it might be like to sip broth straight from a mug. (In a good way.)
This chapter will show you how to season broth with flavors both expected and unexpected, such as coconut milk or honey, so you can sip this delightfully savory new beverage as you would a tea. We’re also going to introduce you to ways you can include broth in your smoothies, juices, and even cocktails. Yes, you read that right. If tomato juice can have its own line of cocktails, so can broth. We’re well aware that this may be outside your comfort zone, but here’s where we ask for your open mind. Yes, it’s hard to imagine bone broth in a cold, refreshing beverage—until you’ve tried it.
The best part is that this is only the start. Once you’ve tried some of these recipes, you will feel inspired to start developing your own. Just as you can complement meat with practically any fruit or vegetable, so can you blend surprising flavors in with your bone broth and truly enjoy the results. Here, you will learn that bone broth can become a part of practically any beverage ritual you may already have, and—we believe—even improve upon it.