Blotto Botany: A Lesson in Healing Cordials and Plant Magic

Blotto Botany is a gorgeous little book of medicinal cordials created by herbalist and witchy healing expert Spencre McGowan. Blotto Botany was originally a zine that swept the indie circuit, and we are now turning it into a full-length book with nods to the original design. Inside, readers and herbalism practitioners will find 40 cordial recipes organized by season, each with their own healing properties. Soothe Yourself Tonic, for instance, soothes the nerves after a hard day with gentle lemon balm and rose petals. Lovers’ Lip, by contrast, contains stimulating damiana and elderflower, the perfect recipe for “one, two, or few.” Other recipes include:

• Lilac Wine
• Douglas Fir Tipsy
• Oh, Mary! (Bloody Mary)
• Champagne Strawberries 
• Tulsi Me Tulsi      
• Dandelion Swag  
• Blackberry Ginger
• Carmelite Water   
• Drunk in Love      
• Sommarvatten     
  

Blotto Botany also comes with recipes for medicinal shrubs and syrups, as well as details on plant lore, wild crafting, crystals, and the use of red wine vs. white wine in infusions.

The design and package of Blotto Botany also sets it apart as a truly unique work—each page is a four color collage and some photography, all created by the author, and all the recipes are written in her own handwriting. This is one of the most special packages on the market place—our goal was to capture the look and feel of the bespoke original zine, and in so doing, we have created a cocktail book that whispers of homespun plant magic.