A Relaxing Herbal Infusion with Citrus Peel, Hops & Warming Spices
Stop throwing away those citrus peels. They’re packed with natural oils and antioxidants—and when you steep them with hops, cloves, and cardamom, you get a refreshing, aromatic water that’s perfect for winding down. Drink it hot like a tea, chill it over ice, or turn it into sparkling water and use it as a mixer for a non-alcoholic spritz. It’s easier and cheaper than buying canned hop water—and you control everything that goes in it.
Yield: About 4 cups
Prep: 5 min + 10 min steep
Best for: Relaxation, an evening wind-down ritual
Ingredients
- Peel of 1 citrus fruit (orange, lemon, or grapefruit—whatever you’re eating!)
- 2–5 dried hops flowers (2 for lighter flavor, up to 6 for stronger effect)
- 3–4 whole cloves
- 3–4 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
- 4 cups hot water (about 170°F—not boiling)
Preparation
- Wash and peel. Clean your fruit under running water before peeling. Set peel aside.
- Heat the water. Bring water to a boil, then let it cool for 2–3 minutes. You want it hot but not boiling—around 170°F. Boiling water will pull too much bitterness from the hops.
- Steep. Add citrus peel, hops, cloves, and cardamom pods to the hot water. Cover and steep for 10 minutes. Do not steep longer—hops can turn bitter quickly.
- Strain. Pour through a fine mesh strainer into a bottle or pitcher.
How to Serve
- Warm: Drink straight as an herbal infusion
- Chilled: Refrigerate and serve over ice
- Sparkling: Carbonate using a drink maker designed for non-water liquids (see notes below)
- Spritz: Mix 1 part non-alcoholic bittersweet aperitivo + 2 parts citrus hops sparkling water over ice, garnish with a citrus peel or slice
Storage
- Refrigerated: Keeps up to 1 day in the fridge.
Why These Ingredients Work
Citrus peel is rich in limonene, a natural compound found in the rind’s essential oils. Research suggests limonene may support mood and calm, and citrus peels contain flavonoids and antioxidants that are often discarded with the rind. Steeping releases these compounds into a fragrant, flavorful base.
Hops (Humulus lupulus) contain bitter compounds that may enhance GABA activity in the brain, promoting relaxation and reducing nervous tension. A traditional nervine herb used for centuries in European herbal medicine, hops is best known for brewing beer—but at low doses in a gentle steep, it lends a subtle, earthy calm without the bitterness.
Cloves have been used in traditional medicine for centuries, primarily as a digestive aid and for their warming, aromatic properties. They contain eugenol, a compound with antioxidant and antimicrobial qualities. At the light culinary dose used here, cloves add depth and warmth without overpowering the infusion.
Cardamom has a long history in Ayurvedic and Middle Eastern traditions as a digestive herb. It adds a bright, slightly citrusy warmth that complements the other flavors and rounds out the blend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this taste like beer?
No. We’re using a very light touch of hops and combining them with vibrant citrus, clove, and cardamom. The key is not oversteeping and never using boiling water. The result is aromatic and mellow— with a light hoppy flavor. Because hops is an acquired taste, we recommend trying the recipe at the lowest dose and increasing if you want stronger flavor or relaxation effect.
Can I use hop pellets instead of whole flowers?
Whole dried flowers are gentler and easier to strain. If using pellets, reduce the amount—pellets are more concentrated and can add bitterness quickly.
Are hops gluten-free?
Yes. Hops are flowers, not grains. They contain no gluten, even though they’re associated with beer brewing.
Can I add a sweetener?
We love the dry, hoppy finish as-is, but a touch of honey is delicious. Just let the water cool a bit before stirring it in so you preserve the honey’s natural properties.
Can I carbonate this?
Yes—but most SodaStreams and soda siphons are designed for water only and may foam out or void the warranty when used with infused liquids. We use the DrinkMate OmniFizz, which is built to carbonate tea, juice, and cocktails and has a slow-release valve that prevents blowouts. Make sure the liquid is cold before fizzing, use short bursts, and vent slowly.
Important Considerations
- Wash your peels. Scrub citrus peels well under running water before use. Conventional citrus is often coated with wax and may carry pesticide residue. Use organic or unwaxed citrus when possible.
- Pregnant or nursing? Hops should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Consult your healthcare provider.
- Taking medications? Hops may enhance the effects of sedatives, sleep aids, and certain antidepressants (SSRIs/MAOIs). If you’re on any of these, check with your doctor. Cloves may also enhance the effect of blood-thinning medications like warfarin.
- Using grapefruit peel? Grapefruit contains compounds that can interact with certain medications, including statins and some blood pressure drugs. If you take any prescription medications, choose orange or lemon peel instead.
- Cloves in moderation. At the 3–4 whole cloves used in this recipe, you’re well within a normal culinary dose that’s safe for most adults. Avoid consuming large amounts of clove daily over long periods.
Where to Buy
Dried hops flowers: Starwest Botanicals carries whole dried hops flowers—look for “hops strobiles.”
Carbonation: The DrinkMate OmniFizz is designed to carbonate any cold beverage, not just water. It has a patented slow-release valve that makes it safe for infused liquids, tea, and juice.
Non-alcoholic aperitivo (for the spritz): Wilfred’s and Lapos both make great bittersweet options as replacement for an aperol spritz.
