Ingredients You Will Need
To prepare this pure and revitalizing natural drink you will need to find a fresh leaf from the miraculous plant along with a few basic kitchen staples.
One large fresh leaf of Aloe Vera about twelve inches long
Three cups of filtered cold water
Three tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice or lime juice
Two tablespoons of organic raw honey or pure maple syrup
Half a teaspoon of fresh grated ginger root for an extra warm kick
A few fresh mint leaves for a beautiful and aromatic finish
Step by Step Method
Making this miraculous herbal beverage is a simple and rewarding process that requires careful preparation of the plant leaf to ensure a smooth and pleasant taste.
The very first step is to clean your fresh plant leaf thoroughly to remove any dirt or residue from the garden. Place the large green leaf under cool running water and scrub the surface gently with your fingers. Once it is clean place the leaf upright in a small bowl or a glass jar for about fifteen minutes. This allows a bitter yellow liquid called aloin to drain out completely from the cut base of the leaf. Draining this yellow sap is very important because it has a very harsh taste and can cause a stomach ache if you do not remove it before blending.
After fifteen minutes have passed lay the leaf flat on a clean wooden cutting board. Use a sharp knife to carefully cut off the spiky edges along both sides of the leaf. Next slide your knife horizontally right underneath the top green skin to lift it away and reveal the clear thick gel hidden inside. Be very gentle during this part so you do not lose any of the precious jelly. Use a large metal spoon to scoop the clear gel out of the bottom green skin and place the pieces into a bowl.
Rinse the harvested clear gel cubes under cold water one more time to remove any remaining traces of the yellow sap. Once the gel is clean place it into the jar of a high speed blender. Add the three tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice and the two tablespoons of organic raw honey. The acidity of the lemon juice is essential because it helps to break down the thick structure of the plant gel and preserves the bright color of the drink.
Grate half a teaspoon of fresh ginger root directly into the blender jar to add a lovely warmth that aids your digestion even further. Pour in the three cups of filtered cold water and secure the lid tightly. Turn your blender on to a low speed to get the large gel pieces moving and then quickly increase the speed to high. Blend the mixture continuously for about one full minute until the gel is completely dissolved into the water and the liquid looks light and frothy.
If you prefer a perfectly thin and clear drink with no texture at all you can pour the blended liquid through a fine mesh strainer into a large glass pitcher. However leaving the tiny bits of blended gel in the drink is a great way to ensure you get all the fiber and nutrients the plant has to offer. Drop a few fresh mint leaves into the pitcher and stir the beverage well with a long spoon to release the mint oils.
Place the pitcher in your refrigerator for at least thirty minutes to let the flavors mingle and get the drink ice cold. This beverage tastes best when it is thoroughly chilled. When you are ready to serve pour the golden tonic into tall glasses filled with ice cubes. You can garnish each glass with a thin slice of fresh lemon on the rim to make it look like a beautiful drink from a luxury health spa. Enjoy your fresh creation immediately for the best flavor experience.
see to Next Page…
ADVERTISEMENT
